davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
ROBS A WOMAN'S BODY
OF HER WEDDING RING
Thief in Guise of Mourner
SnatcheS Gold Band While
Passing Coffin

The presence of death itself did not
serve to stay the hand of a thief, who
passed in the guise of mourner be-
fore the bier of Mrs Fred Robinson as
she lay ready for burial in her home
at l9 North Eighth street yesterday, for
as ne passed the coffin he reached out
and plucked her wedding ring from
the finger Of the dead woman
After a long illness Mrs Robinson
died Friday. and yesterday her husband
called in friends and neighbors for a
last look at her face. The hearse was
waiting, the mourners had all filed by
and the lid of the coffin was about to
be made fast when the husband, lin
gering behind the others. saw that the
ring was gone. Then il was remem-
bered that a shabbily dressed stranger
had been in the room a minute before
None of those present had known him.
but he had made a display of deep
grief
The husband reported the theft to the
police, but the robber left no trace.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
CALIFORNIA PRODUCES
NEW CHAMPION POTATO
Twelve Founder Grown Here
Challenges All Corners, But
None Accept the Issue

What is said 20 be the champion po-
tato IN the world, bar none, is on exhi-
bitiOn at the state board Of trade 1t
has sent 2 challenge throughout the
earth and no tUber has been found
willing 10 try the issue. Already the
fame Of the local product has gene
abroad and the department of agricul-
ture, the Smithsonian Institution and
other scientific organizations have ap-
piled for models Of the original AS a
result the potato has been photo
graphed sitting, standing. full face and
profile tt has been sketched. painted
and chsrcoaled. Casts have been made
OF putty. wax and plaster Of paris. In
fact. no vegetable has been showered
with the hattering attentions which
have been bestowed upon this humble
product Of the field.
The potato takes its honors easily.
No doubt il would smile il il could, but
II has a face like a rugged range of
mountains. Its u pounds are distrib-
uted over rising hillocks and knobs
that cluster about the surface in great
profusion.
The celebrity is a native Of Santa
Barbara county. 1t was raised on the
Schuman ranch near Santa Maria by
the Union sugar company. As an arta-
Gle OF food It is sufficient for an aver
age family for almost a week
The original is to be preserved and
kept IN the rooms Of the state board of
trade Replicas will be distributed
among the scientific societies of the
world
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
ROBBED AND BEATEN
INSENSIBLE IN PARK
Visitor From San Jose Accuses
Two Strangers Who Pros
Vided Drink and Ride

Invited 10 drink by two accommo-
dating strangers Saturday night,
Michael Darcy of 1e4 Pleasant street,
San Jose. took several, and yesterday
morning he was found lying uncon-
scious in the park panhandle with a
fractured skull and $500 missing from
his pockets
At the central emergency hospital
Darcy declared that the strangers had
beaten and robbed him. He registered
al the Denver house, and the two men
suggested a ride to the Chutes. They
went 10 the park instead, took his
money from him and beat him into in
senslbility
Darcy said the name of one of the
men was Joe Stepson and that he rep
resented thet he was a brother in law
of Attorney Bird Of San Jose
A dispatch received late last night
from San Jose quoted Attorney Bird as
saying that he was neither related to
nor acquainted with either of the par
ties mentioned.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
BURGLARS LOOT HOME
AND MILLINERY STORE
Detectives Search for Man Pos
ing as Inspector for
Water Company

Returning TO their home at so Baker
street Saturday evening the family of
Lemuel H Lucas, president of the Pa
cihc transfer company. discovered the
house had been ransacked and valu-
abIes worth $500 taken. Detectives
Dow and Purcell are now endeavoring
70 locate the thieves and the missing
goods.
Mrs Lucas stated to the police that
q man abcot 30 years Of age had called
at the hoNse on last Wednesday and
after announcing that he was in the
employ Of the water company asked to
inspect the pipes in the bathroom. After
looking around the room q few mo-
ments he departed This man, the de-
tectives think. is one of the thieves
The third millinery establishment to
be robbed In week and in which moth
ing has been taken butsostrich feathers
occurred on Saturday night when the
store OF Mrs. p. A Nicholson at 1922
Market street was entered and feathers
valued at $500 were stolen. Detectives
Bunner and Freel have been detailed
on the three cases.
Thieves forced an entrance into the
store OF Kohler & Chase at Suffer and
Franklin streets Saturday night and
carried away 90 graphophone records
valued at $75.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
TROTTER PLEADS FOR
AID TO THE FALLEN
Evangelist Tells of His Past
Life and Blames Drink for
Much Misery

Evangelist Melvin E. Trotter con-
cluded his San Francisco series of meet
ings last evening when he addressed
a large audience in Dreamland rink. In
the afternoon Trotter spoke to a large
audience. on The Story of NY Past
Life and told how he spent his early
life in sin. His talk was interspersed
with many heart rending incidents. He
described life as he has seen it in the
slums OF many large cities and asked
all present to aid those who have fallen
from the paths OF righteousness
At the evening meeting the evan
gelist spoke on The Home" telling of
the suffering and misery that is caused
by drink. Drink" said Trotter "Is
the curse of the present generation. It
is a destroyer OF homes and is the
stepping stone of shame and degrada-
ton"
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
KEYMEN DECIDE ON
NEW WIRE STRIKE
Chicago Local Union Adopts
Resolutions Calling for
WalkOut June
Operators of Country to Be
Asked to Follow Lead Set
by Windy City
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

CHICAGO. April 5.-Members of the
local union Of telegraph operators at
4 meeting today adopted resolutions
recommending that strike be de-
clared June l against the Western
Union telegraph company and on the
Postal telegraph company and the AS
ISOLATED Press July l, unless a 10 per
cent increase in wages from those paid
March 1 last year, eight hours for day
work, seven hours for night work and
split tricks, and extra work at the
rate of seven hours per day, free type
writers and equal pay for male and
female employees alike be granted.
A copy Of these resolutions will be
sent to the various locals throughout
the country, asking them TO take SINH
lar action. When the other locals have
voted reports to that effect are re-
quested TO be sent to the executive
board, with a recommendation that ac-
tion be taken.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
PROF. STEPHENS TALKS
OF POETRY OF DOUBT"
Noted Educator Discusses Ru-
biayats In Address to the
Fellowship Circle

Prof. Henry Morse Stephens of the
history department at the University
of California gave an interesting ad-
dress before large audience at Golden
Gate hall last night. The meeting
was held under the auspices of the
Fellowship circle.
Choosing for his subject The Poetry
OF Doubt, the "Rubaiyat of Omar
hhayyam, Professor stephens painted
a vivid word picture of the mental at
utudes of the Persian astronomer and
that OF Omar's English translator, Ed
ward Fitzgerald, toward religious for
mulae of their respective times
they were not the kind of
men who would suffer martyrdom be-
cause of their honest doubts of the
positive religious dogmas," said the
professor in summing up his subject.
stu. they doubted the rules that said
thus and so shalt thou believe and
doubling they voiced their protests I'm
rubaiyats."
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
CALIFORNIA CLUB WOMEN
HEAR MUSIC PROGRAM
Entertainment Under Super
vision of Mrs. James Craw-
ford Charms MANY

The assembly section of the Califor-
MIA club yesterday afternoon thoroughly
enjoyed delightful musical program
prepared for 1t by Mrs Stetson-
Wheeler. The program was given un-
der the supervision of Mrs James
Crawford. chairman of the section, who
announced each number. Mrs Gish
Miss Stetson and Mr.. Glenn furnished
solos and duets literally. Mrs. Gisb
sang annie Laurie, 'and Mr.. Glenn rem
dered one of Governs old border ball
lads. He responded to encores with a
quaint Irish song. "Oh, the Dear Little
Girl" An amusing skit, Gone Abroad. -
was well presented by Gwendolyn
Powers, Dorothy Duncombe. Hazel
Roger and Marguerite CONN.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
THE CALL AIDS MOTHER
RECOVER HER LOST son
Mrs. NJ. Lewis of Benecia Sends
Letter to Editor Expressing
Her Thanks

The Call received a mothers thanks
yesterday from Mrs. NJ Lewis of Beni-
cia, Cal, who in a letter stated she had
recovered her lost son through the aid
given her in the columns of this paper
Manuel Lewis, a boy OF Is. left his
home in Benicia short time ago. and
Mrs. Lewis asked The Call to aid her
in her search for him. His description
was published and after some days seen
by Manuel in Seattle, who lost no time
in going back home. The letter was
as follows.
To the Editor OF The Call-Dear Sir. Would you
kindly put this in the paperG My son. Manuel
Lewis, who left home on Christmas morning has
returned home He just arrived from Seattle.
He saw the article in The Call and he thought
he would come home. Thanking you very kindly
for this. l remain. your true friend.
MRS. N. LEWIS.
Benecia. Cal
P S.-ws have been taking The Call for nve
years aud md it the best paper In San Fran
cisco
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
DENIES ATTACK ON
RULE OF CHINESE
Russian Ambassador Asserts
Question of Sovereignty Is
Not Involved

WASHINGTON, April 5.-Speaking
today with a representative of the As
sociated Press, who asked him for an
explicit statement regarding Russia s
attitude in Manehuria, Baron Rosen,
the Russian ambassador, declared that
the question of Chinese sovereignty in
Manchuria was in no way involved in
the steps taken by the railroad au-
thorities toward the organization of a
municipal administration in the Rus
sian settlements at Harbin and Chailar.
He declared that much that had been
printed with regard to the Fisher in
cident was misleading. and added:
Incidentally I would say that !
have noticed published statement
infersntially implying that the Ameri-
can consul at Harbin had been re-
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
WATER SUPPLY IS
CRITICAL PROBLEM
Supervisor Johnston Says SUI
pervis0rs Will Soon Have
Plan to Offer People
Board Members Spend Day in
Auto Going Over Property
of Spring Valley Co.

The most critical problem before
the people of San Francisco at the
present time is that of securing a per-
manent and adequate water supply,
and within a short time the board of
supervisors should have an important
matter in that regard to present to the
public for it's consideration" said
Supervisor James A Johnston, chair
man of the joint water committee of
the board, last evening.
Supervisor Johnston had just re-
turned from an inspection conducted
by members of the board of the entire
peninsula water system of the Spring
Valley water company.
He declared that the visit to the
properties was simply so that the
members of the board could get a
comprehensive idea of the extent of
the plant and of the several items in
the company's system, including the
plumbing stations at Milbrae and Bel
mont and the reservoirs of San An
dreas, Crystal springs and Lake Mer-
ced.
In the party were Supervisors John
ston, Center, Jennings, Murphy, Clan
mini and Booth, City Engineer Mars
den Manson. Isadore Dockweiler the
DOS ans NlNS CA6 JOnn b6Qdn,
clerk of the board of supervisors and
Harry Mckannay, secretary to Mayor
Taylor. The party was met at the
companys property by Captain Payson,
president of the Spring Valley water
company; Chief Engineer Schussler
and Superintendent Lawrence
Next Tuesday night" said Johnston,
the special water committee of the
board, Of which / am chairman, will
meet with the representatives of the
water company to consider the rate
question. We had prepared to fix a
rate on a valuation of the company's
property of s25.000.O00 approximately
At that meeting many matters touch
ing on the water situation will
come up.
AS a member of the committee on
water rates. quasi judicial position
L cannot discuss the situation fully nor
give an opinion on what might be
done" he continued. But the pres
ent board hopes to do something to
improve the water situation here
Within a short time we should have a
good story for you"
One of the important matters to
come up Tuesday night is the sugges-
tion that the city share in the man.
agement of the property. 1t is under
stood that W. B. Bourn, who has Sc
cured control of Spring Valley, will
soon have some definite proposition to
submit to the board of supervisors
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
LINER, SHORT OF COAL,
is DOCKED AT HALIFAX
Pretoria, From Hamburg to New
York, Meets Gales and
Loses Passenger

HALIFAX. April 5.-The. Hamburg
American liner Pretoria, Captain Scott.
fromHamburg March Is and Boulogne
March 10. bound for New York. arrived
here today short of coal. The steamer
met a succession of unusually heavy
gales, during which high seas swept her
decks, but no serious damage was done.
On the first day out from Hamburg
"a young German girl ran from the
second cabin to the deck, climbed the
rail and in full view of the passengers
jumped into the sea. The liner was
stopped and a boat lowered, but the
effort to save the girl was unsuccessful.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
BRITISH PREMIER
And CABINET GO
CamPbell-Bannerman's Resigna-
ton, Forced by Illness,
Causes Predicament
hIHg Edward Summons Asquith,
While Nation, Lacking Min
istTy, Must Wait

LONDON, April 5.-Great Britain to-
nig9t Is in 3, peculiar position, being
without either premier or ministry. The
tonS expected resignation of Sir Henry
sampled Bannerman, the prime min
ister. was officially announced Ac-
corolng to the court circular he re-
signed. on the urgent recommendation
OF bis medical advisers AS the consti-
tuition OF the country provides no auto
iidLc successor il resting with the
KING 20 choose a new head of the gov
ernment and in accordance with the
custom and precedent the whole cabinet
resigns with the premier. no step to ap-
polnt ministry can be taken until
Hopert h Asquith, chancellor of the
eNchequer. who has been summoned to
Biarritz for the purpose, has seen the
king.
The position Of the country is quite
unprecedented. there being no previous
example of q change occurring in the
premiership while the sovereign was
abroad. On this account the course Of
procedure 10 be followed is in some
6oubt
Sir Henry's condition remains un-
changed, according to the physicians
bulletin published today The king in
telegraphing his acceptance of the pre-
miers resignation conveyed an EXPIRES
sion OF his regret and esteem, with best
wishes for Sir Henry's recovery.
chancellor Asquith. who has been
acting premier for some time, will
leave Tor Biarritz probably tomorrow
morning At cabinet meeting this
morning. specially called he submitted
the pTemie-'s resignation and the situa-
ton was fully discussed.
Tomorrow has been fixed for Asquith
% move in the house OF commons the
second reading of the licensing bill. the
measure that is regarded as the most
dangerous Of all the government bills
10 the ministrys tenure Of Office Tn
der the changed conditions this debate
probably viii be postponed until after
Easter and an adjournment of parlia-
ment moved TO enable the chancellor to
proceed TO Biarritz 70 kiss hands on his
appointment as premier and submit his
proposals for the reconstruction of the
cabinet
II may be inferred that no more con-
tentious business viii come before tho
house Of commons until the new min
listers are appointed. Speculation in
this matter is most active in all poIiti-
cal centers tonight It IS regarded now
= practically certain that David LIovd
George. president Of the board of trade
VIII succeed Asquith as chancellor and
that Sir Edward Grey viii retain his
portfolio as foreign secretary. but
1othing can be predicted with assur-
ance.
Among the interesting predictions is
that Winston Spencer Churchill. under
secretary for the colonies, viii take the
place Il the earl Of Elgin as colonial
secretary and that Lord Tweedmouth
first lord Of the admiralty. will with
draw n order to accept some other Of
Zee.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
ALDRICH TO RETIRE
SEVENTEEN BIRTHDAY
Three Score and 10 Years and
End of Term i'm Congress
to Come Together

WASHINGTON, April 5.-Senator Mel
son w. Aldrich, father in law of John
D. Rockefeller Jr., of Rhode Island is
making arrangements to retire from
public life at the expiration of his
present term. The declaration is made
that age is responsible for this deter
mination. He will be 70 when the time
fixed for stepping off the stage arrives,
March S, 1911.
AS a matter of fact, Senator Aldrich
Is preparing to give up his position be-
cause congress is becoming more and
more nonpartisan. Each week it be-
comes more difficult to control and
whip into line the unwieldy republican
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
CALIFORNIA JAPANESE
VISIT COUNT OKUMA
Sacramento Delegation Visits
Tokyo to Inquire About Inn
migration Views

TOKYO. April Count Okuma re-
ceived a deputation from the Japanese
residents of Sacramento and from the
Japanese newspapermen of San Fran
cisco who wished to solicit his Views on
the emigration problem. The count Is
reported by the yernacular papers to
have said that it was very dificult to
find out wherein lay the object of the
dispatch of the, American battleship
squadron TO the Pacific coast at this
time
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
&hA;R4!
The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous

quested to get an exequatur from the
Russians. This information can only
be based on some Misunderstanding
do not see how any such thing could
have happened.
AS a matter of fact Russia main
tains herself consul general at Har-
bin. which would be a manifest alb
surdity If she made any such conten-
ton as implied in the statement above
referred to-"
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
TWO NEGROES LYNCHED
IN SOUTHERN STATES

MOBILE. Ala, April 5.-waIter CLAW
ton, a negro. who was serving time at
the stockade of the Hand lumber com
pany for manslaughter, late Saturday
attacked Mrs. Joseph White, aged 20
years, and was lynched by a mob of rs
men outside the limits of Bay Minette
last night.
WESsON, Miss, April 5,-John Burr,
young negro, was lynched near here
today by about 80 men for the murder
of a IL year old white boy
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
TARs TRAN FOR RAcE

The crew Of the cruiser Charleston which IA
10 take part in the rowing contest for the Bat
tenburg cup are now out the bay every day
IN training for the big event, which Is to take
place when the feet arrives
Lieutenant Lindsay II. Lacy has charge of the
training Of the Charleston's crew. and he ex-
poets 10 make a great showing in the contest
All the men are in splendid form and ne ex-
= very close run
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
posTMAN HIr By CAR

John E. Thompson, a mail carrier. living at
435 Hayes street, was struck by a streefcar a t
Seventh and Market streets yesterday afternoon
and so badly hurt that he probably will die
His skull was fractured. Motorman Herman
Otto was arrested for battery.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06

majority of the senate
In recent years there has been great
influx of young men, and these refuse
to recognize any boss but their own
ambitions Aldrich realizes thSt his
power as the great and only tactical
leader or the senate is waning
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06
sI-b New zealand rfrst cIa..

Round Trip. S2s7-5o from san Francisco
s,Fes % s. Msfiposa of the ooeanic it1G1s lSSs
sails for Tahiti April u, making connection
with Union S. S. line for Auckland Short.
Quick and scenic lire 70 New Zealand. Low I'd
and 80 fS77-J0) class passage. Call write or
telegraph. Oceanic line. 6zS Market st.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-06

THE DOCTOR says drink BEER to the weak and the
convaecen To those who need strengthened food and
tonic. If it is good for them isn't it good for you?
The virtue of beer does lie in the alcohol There
is only 81 per cent of that
1t lies in the matted barey-a digesed food And in
the hops-a tonic and an aid to sleep.
1t lies, the fact that the drinking of beer ushes
the system Of So would water of course if one
drank enough of it. But you don't drink water like beer
When beer is pure there is nothing more heahful And
Schz beer pure. 1t brings ter-eec biousnes
But better without beer than drink the wrong beer
That is why the Doctor generally says Drink Schlz'
= :"
thai ~
sadI
~ - Sherwood
S. Fadae
Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-12-11
BASKET BALL
Adjourned

The first games of the season were
PLAYED last Saturday evening at the
Armory hall. The first team of the
Light uard played the strong Cardinal
team of Milwaukee and defeated them
by A score Of 40 to 30. The game was
one of the fastest seen in this city for
a long while and was not narred by
any dirty" playing, etc. as are some
of the games. The Guards played the
Cardinals to standstill in team work
and basket shooting" and certainly
deserved the large end of the score.
The second team although playing fast
ball and excelling in throwing baskets
were defeated By a score of % to %
Rot, teams of the Guards are strong
this year and certainly deserve the
patronage Of Wauwatosa. There will
he two games at the Armory this FRI
dav evening, every body come. and en-
ioy the dance which usually follows.
Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-12-11
COMMON COUNCIL

The Common Council met in adjourn
ed session at the city hall, Friday
evening, December 4, 1908.
Present Aldermen, Currie, Williams,
Marquardt, CLAUS, Fido and Prudish.
Mayor Charles b. Perry presiding.
The minutes of the last meeting
were read and approved.
The financial statement of the city
treasurer certified as examined and
found correct by the Comptroller was
presented and placed on file.
Petitions asking for street lights on
Sth Avenue south of Vista Avenue, re-
ferred to Board of Public Works.
The Marshals report of street lights
not burning during November, was
presented and referred to the finance
committee.
The November bills and payrolls
were presented and referred to the fl
nance committee.
The bills for sidewalk laid during
the year 1908 under direction of the
Board of Public Works against private
property were presented, ordered
placed on file and the City Clerk direct
ed to place the amounts shown thereon
on the tax roll as special charge against
the respective tracts where side walk
was laid
The report of weeds cut on private
property by the weed commissioner
was presented showing total charge
OF S5S.sO properly certified and approx
ed and showing the various lots tracks
and parcels of land.
The Board Of Public Works submit t.
ted report of sidewalk repaired dur
ing The past year with the expense of
same together and the Clerk was di-
rected to place the respective charges
on the tax roll ag ainst property beue-
fitted.
The Board of Public Works
submitted report of sidewalks order
ed constructed during the past year
against private property with cost
thereof and the respective amounts
were ordered placed on the tax roll for
collection
The Mayor announced to the Council
the death of 2. c. Clausen as having
occurred since the last council meeting
calling attention TO the fact that Mr..
Clausen was for two years an active
and painstaking member of the Com
mon Council requesting that the min
nutes of the council show tine report
of his death.
Adjourned.