davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
SEEKS ELECTRIC LINE
FRANCHISE IN REDWOOD
Realty Dealer, Supposed to Be
Representing S. p, Applies
for Grant

REDWOOD CITY, Aug. 25.-Sup-
posedly representing the interests of
the Southern Pacific company in it's
plans to spread network of electric
railways throughout the peninsula, S.
NJ Snyder, a realty promoter and agent
for North Fair Oaks, secured the con-
sideration of the trustees to his plan
for an electric road through the city
at their meeting last night.
Snyder appeared before the city
council a month ago and asked it
to grant him a franchise for a road
through the city. The route proposed
by Snyder did not meet with the favor
of the city council. At Mondays meet
ing Snyder and w. H. Chamberlain of
San Francisco his attorney, presented
new route for action. leading from
the FL Canine real, down Main street
to A street. along A to Phelps and
down that thoroughfare.
The matter was referred to the pub
lie utilities committee for a report at
the next meeting. The route selected
by Snyder is the most direct that could
be chosen through the town in line
with the development of an electric
system by the Southern Pacific from
the terminus of the United Railroads
at San Mateo to their recently acquired
FIVE mile system formerly belonging to
Hanchett operating in Palo Alto.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
FIND CONSTRUCTION
OF SCHOOLS FAULTY
Board, of Education Hears Re-
port of Experts Commissioned
to Examine Buildings
Architects Will Be Called Before
Special Meeting to Give
Explanations

OAKLAND Aug 25.-The board of
education received a detailed report
tonight from a special commission ap-
pointed by them to examine five of the
new school buildings, in which the
Washington school, brick structure,
was declared exposed to the danger of
complete destruction from earthquakes
and defects in the construction of the
Lincoln and Franklin schools were
pointed out The Longfellow and
Prescott schools were declared cor
rectly designed and constructed.
The commission is made up of ]. d.
Galloway, Henry II. Meyers and Rob-
ert II. Hunt 81 Co. They were appointed
after an investigation by the grand
jury, and their suggestions will be
followed by the school directors in the
correcting of the defects in the build
ings. The board will meet on Septem-
Der H. when the architects of each of
the structures will be called upon for
explanations.
In the Washington school the floor
beams and roof channels were prac-
tically all pronounced to be light, In
most cases not sufficient to carry the
dead weight of the building, extrane-
Gus of the added weight of filled rooms.
New girders and columns with new
foundations were recommended.
In the Franklin school building the
commission adjudged the steel beams
under the assembly room and the COR
ridors of the first floor too light. The
beams under the assembly room were
said to be overloaded by the weight
of the structure.
Referring to the floor beams and
girders in the Lincoln school, which
is steel frame building, the strength
of the structure was said to be seri-
ously affected because some of the
beams were not of the standards re-
quired by the best practice in archi-
lecture. In some cases the girders
were found extremely weak, and in
others only small amount below the
requirements.
It was recommended that some of
the dead weight be removed from the
floors by taking out part of the con-
crete filing. In different parts of the
building more columns, raised from
the basement through the building,
were declared to be necessary to make
the school safe when occupied. The
design is such, according to the COM
mission, as to withstand earthquake
shocks.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
VOTERS FAVOR CALLAN
Unofficial Primary in Thirty.
ninth Names Candidate

AS result of the poll of the mem
bers of the Independent and Lincoln
Roosevelt clubs of the thirty ninth dis
trict Z. J. Callan, the real estate man,
mas been chosen as the candidate for
the assembly and will be nominated
when the local convention assemblies.
Postal CARDS were sent to the 1850
members OF the two clubs for the pur-
pose of ascertaining their choice. Cal
Ian has been announced as the winner
IN this unofficial direct primary.
The leaguers of the thirty-fourth dis
trict have selected William H. Stewart
the engineer, as their candidate for the
assembly. Stewart has fought for clean
politics in the thirty y-ninth ever since
the Independent club was organized to
oppose the Herrin leaders of the dis
trict. When the independent club
Joined the Lincoln Roosevelt movement
Stewart continued his activities. The
success of the league in the thirty
ninth in the last primary was largely
owing to his efforts. He is expected to
be strong candidate.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
WOUNDED CHILEAN
FOUND IN THE PARK
Tells Conflicting Stories When
Questioned as to the Cause
of His Plight

Mystery surrounds the circumstances
under which John Arreiano, a Chilean
bootblack. was seriously stabbed sew
eral nights ago and hidden in the brush
on the Great highway in Golden Gate
park. Mounted Policeman A. j. Dolan
found Arrelano lying in the shrubbery
between J and X streets yesterday
afternoon shortly after o'clock. The
Chilean was in intense agony.
At the central emergency hospital
Arrelano told conflicting stories He
first said to the attendants that he was
held up Friday night by two men at
the terminus of McAllister street, who
robbed him of $40 and then stabbed
him. He found his way to the spot
where he was found yesterday and
claims to have lain there since Friday
night without having partaken of
nourishment. Later when the police
questioned him he told a different story
and said that he had eaten bag of
peaches and that he had been taken
to the park In a buggy. He made no
mention of having been held up and
stabbed.
The police gave little credence to
Arrelanos story because of the dis
crepancies. Detectives Ed Wren and
Riordan were detailed to Investigate.
Arrelano's name has been placed on
the detinue book pending investigation
of his tale.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
ERNEST CERT Is
BURNED TO DEATH
Meets End in Blaze Which De-
stroys Hotel and Business
Houses in Town of Tesla
Flames Rage for Hours Despite
Efforts of Volunteer
Fire Brigade

TESLA, Aug 25.-Ernest Cert, man.
ager of the Tesla coal company's store,
burned to death In his apartments In
the Tesla hotel at an early hour TINS
morning by a fire which destroyed the
hostelry, as well as butcher shop,
vegetable store and saloon adjoining,
and started a grass blaze which ragged
through 100 acres of pasture land near
by and was not brought under control
until nearly noon today.
Cert was awakened when the fire
was discovered in the hotel and, rush
Ing out into the hallway, held short
conversation with DR.. II. l.. Swanger,
who occupied apartments near by. lie
returned to his room, presumably to
attempt to save some of his property
Or. Swanger and chambernafd, VINO
were the only other occupants OF the
hotel, escaped from the building after
throwing a portion of their belongings
out of the windows, but Cert did not
reappear, and in the excitement attend
ant upon the fire his absence was not
noticed until it was too late TO attempt
to rescue him.
His charred body was found in the
ruins of the hotel when the fire had
burned itself out 1t is presumed that
he was overcome by the heat and smoke
in his room and fell unconscious before
AlO SOulu IcluTn 10 IHt OPcA-
Cert was 63 years old. He is sur
vived by widow and eight children,
who live at 1921 Steiner street. One
of his sons is Marcel Cert, we'll known
San Francisco attorney. Another is
Cedric Cert, a prominent student at the
University of California.
The oldest child, Charlotte, is q
teacher in the Polytechnic high school;
the second, Barry is an instructor at
the University of Wisconsin. The four
others are Emile W., mining engineer:
Rebecca and Lorraine and Mrs. James
A. Forster. Cert was a native of Tou-
raine, France, and had been connected
with the Tesla coal company for many
years His body was shipped to Oak
land.
The fire, which is believed to have
been started from smoldering Goals in
the kitchen stove, broke out between
3 and 4 o'clock this morning, and
burned for several hours despite the
efforts of the volunteer fire depart
ment. The burned property all be-
longed to the Alameda and San Joaquin
coal company. 1t is believed that the
loss will reach $500. There was no
insurance on the buildings.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
COL. STEWART FORCED
TO MAKE SEVERE TEST
ExiIed Officer Must Walk Fifty
Miles or Ride Ninety,
or Retire
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25.-UnIess he
walks so miles in 20 hours within a
period of three days or rides 80 miles
on horseback in 81 hours, also within
a like period, Colonel William F. Stew
art. isolated at Fort Grant, Ariz., must
go upon the retired list of the Ameri-
can army. Orders requiring him to
take the physical test prescribed by
President Roosevelt last May were is
sued at the war department today. If
he stands the test he must return to
his station" at Fort Grant to con-
tinue his association with one enlisted
man and the creeping and flying pests
that infeSt that region.
The orders require him to repair to
Fort Huachuca, Ariz., whenever Cen
eral e. b. Thomas, commanding officer
of the department of the Colorado, in
dicates and submit to the test. But
before he may ride or walk he must be
examined by board OF army surgeons.
the duty of which will be to determine
whether his physical condition war
rants him in making the trial of en-
durance.
Fort Huachuca is four troop cav
airy post about 100 miles from Fort
Grant. The fact that Colonel Stewart
was ordered there indicates that he
has expressed a preference for the
riding test and that he has been sent
to the nearest place where be can get
a suitable mount.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
WEALTH OF STATE
SHOWS INCREASE
Board of Equalization Reports
Assessment at Nearly Two
Billion Dollars

SACRAMENTO, Aug. 25.-The state
board of equalization has received re-
ports from all of the counties showing
the assessment value of all property
for the year 1905 The assessable
wealth of the state is fast climbing
to the two billion dollar mark having
now reached 1891. 554,60S.
{ Secretary T. NJ. Eby of the state
board has compiled a table showing
these values. which is as follows:
Value of real estate other than city
and town lots, s45S,7S5,9S6.
Value of improvements thereon,
s101, 1854 ,057
Value of city and town lots, $685.
2e9, ,196.
Value of improvements thereon,
s32s,7e4.551.
Personal property, exclusive of
money and solvent credits, s275, 5,09S, ,623.
Money and solvent credits, s53, ,404,
02S.
Total of county assessments, $1.S74.-
S56,44
Railroad assessments by state board
$116,69S,1
Total value Of all property, s1,ss1,-
554,603
These figures show total increase
of 112.S93,56 over the 1907 assess
ment. OF this increase the counties
gave s110,017,622 and the railroads
$2.S75,946.
The state. board will meet on Tues
day, September s, at which time the
state rate of 40 cents will be formally
adopted and declared. Last year the
state levied 441s cents. .on each hundred
dollars of taxable property. This year
rate of 40 cents is a drop of 4 X cents.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
MARK A. WILKINS
HEARS His DOOM
Mrs. Vernie Carmin's Murderer
Is Sentenced to Be Hanged
on November l3
Motion for New Trial Is Denied
and Slayer Will Be Taken
to San Quentin

OAKLAND, Aug. z5.-Mark A. Will
kins was sentenced to be hanged for
the murder of Vernie Carmin today.
Judge Melvin passed sentence after
denying a motion for a new trial made
by Attorney Hugh McIsaac. Friday,
November 13, was set for the execution.
wilkins exhibited no emotion when
his doom was pronounced and appeared
the least concerned of any person in the
room He wiped his glasses and poll
ished them carefully with his handker-
chief, then held out his wrists for the
handouts prior to being taken back to
the county Jail He uttered no word
and his step was steady.
The crime for which the extreme
penalty was imposed upon Wilkins had
all the elements. of tragedy. Vernie
Carmin deserted her husband, L. L.
Carmin of Sheffield. Mo-, in September,
1907. meeting wilkins on the train
while travelling west. After living for
a time in San Francisco they removed
TO Elmhurst, where wilkins bought a
pretty cottage in April, 1907. In July
the woman disappeared, and in No
vember, q few days before Thanksgiv-
ing day, Wilkins was arrested for her
murder, her body having been located
in deep grave beneath the stable.
The defense was based on theory of
suicide propounded by NcIsaac. He
reasoned that the woman had dreaded
exposure. had been depressed by her
condition and had taken the strychnine
In a gloomy mood.
L. L. Carmin, her deserted husband
at that time in the last stages of con-
sumption, was a witness at the trial,
dying two days after the verdict He
Identified her remains by a dentists
chart of her teeth. He told Of his wife s
desertion and of jewels which she pos
sessed- The disappearance of these
jewels, consisting OF diamond earrings
pins and rings, was used by the prose
cution to support a robbery theory. The
prosecution also alleged that Wilkins
had schemed to get a deed of the house
from the woman and had been willing
TO commit perjury and forgery TO gain
his ends. The existence of the grave
in the stable before the death of the
victim was the most convincing argu-
ment against him. The jury debated
but Is minutes and then returned a
verdict Of murder in the first degree,
without a recommendation.
District Attorney Brown and Chief
Deputy District Attorney Donahue con-
Quoted the prosecution.
McIsaac's motion for new trial was
based on alleged misconduct Of jurors
wilkins viii be removed to San Quentin
In 10 days.
wilkins is 81 years Of age, a station
ary engineer by trade and has Travelled
widely. He is a native OF France and a
graduate Of the University of Rome,
speaking four European languages and
four Indian dialects. He has con-
tributed scientific articles to leading
magazines in this country
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
PASTOR PAYS TRIBUTE
TO MEMORY OF ACTRESS
Funeral Services Held for Gra-
Gle PIaisted and Body
Incinerated in Oakland

ALAMEDA, Aug. 25.-SimpIicity
marked the funeral services held this
afternoon for the late Oracle Plaisted,
the actress, who in private life was
Mrs. George H. Bartlett In compli-
ance with an expressed request made
by the old time Tivoli star shortly be-
fore her death, there was no music.
Rev L. Potter Hitchcock, pastor of
the First Congregational church, con-
Quoted the services and paid an i'm
pressive tribute TO the memory of Mrs.
Bartlett He referred to her sunny
disposition, kindness of Heart and to
her characteristic generosity. Many
floral tokens were sent by friends of
the dead actress.
number of theatrical people who
had been associated on the stage with
Mrs. Bartlett were present The chief
mourners were daughter of the
actress, Mrs. A n. Funke, and her hus-
band, George II. Bartlett
The funeral services were held in a
local undertaking parlor and the body
was incinerated at the Oakland crema- :
tory.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
PASTOR ENDS LIFE
.ANDSCORESCHURCH
Re y.AIbert II. Trick Leaves
Letter Denouncing Untruth-
fulness and Insincerity

NEW YORK, Aug. 25.-1ll, half
blind, criticfsing the church on the
score of untruthfulness and insincerity
and declaring that he could not
worship Americas trinity-success
pleasure and gold" Rev. Albert II.
Trick killed himself in a room in the
Mills hotel today. He was once pastor
of a Presbyterian church in Chicago
and later had charge at Saratoga,
N. Y. The former pastor left a letter
to Charles N Dowd or this city, which,
In part, follows:
Il have never been able to conquer
an inborn contempt for the place
money has in this world, though know
ing so well how absolutely a fair
amount of it at least is necessary to all
of us. / could never adapt myself in
view of my early ideas to the methods
by which money is made. They are so
transparently selfish and more or less
unscrupulous. whether used by the
church or that so called world
could never worship Americas trim
ity-success, pleasure and gold.
Il rejoice in the better day dawning
when society with its superstitions and
errors, like all the sother religions of
men, shall have passed away and re-
ligion itself, free and simple, religion
that has passion Tor truth, justice,
love and liberty, purity and humanity,
shall prevail
''Ye gods, what does the church care
for these things-for truth, ETC.? 1t
twists all the facts. philosophy and ex-
pressions of liberty. to make them
square with their petty traditions and
systems of day. The, day will soon
come when the world will prove that
sacred as the place that Jesus holds in
the worlds esteem. they are no more
bound by what he taught, did and
thought than they are by TIE precepts
of Robert Ingersoll. and the modern
church more nearly follow this exem-
plary and kindly and honest American
than they do the oriental"
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
ROBS THE DEPUTIES
WHO ARREST HER
Queen of Pickpockets" Plies
Her Trade While in Gus
tody in Reno
SPECIAL DISPATCH To THE CALL

RENO, Aug. 25.-After cleverIy rob
bing a Sparks bar keeper of $50 and
touching two officers who assisted in
arresting her for a valuable stickpfn
and a gold ring, Irene Haw1ey. alias
Irene Duff, who is known throughout
the United States as the queen of
pfckpockets.' was arrested last night
by five deputies, and is now confined in
five deputies, and is now confined in
the city Jail.
The exciting chase for the female
pickpocket began early in the evening.
shortly after she had robbed the Sparks
bar keeper. Constable Malay arrested
the woman In Reno and was proceed
ing to Sparks with her on the streetcar.
He had secured the $50 when suddenly
he discovered that the money was miss
ing from his pocket and also that he
was minus a valuable stickpin. He
stopped the car immediately and be-
gan a search for the missing articles.
When the car was stopped his pris-
Oner left 1t and climbed into an auto
which was at Wieland.s park and drove
rapidly to Sparks When her machine
was going rapidly down the road she
jumped out and landed in a swamp. get
ting thorough soaking and being CON
siderably bruised. She then returned
to Jack Vera's roadhouse, and Max
well and party followed. reinforced by
five deputies, where they captured her
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
AMBASSADORS FUNERAL
TO BE HELD FRIDAY
Baron Speck Won Sternburg
Will Be Buried at the
Family Estate

HEIDELBERG, Aug. 25.-Announce-
ment is made that the funeral services
and the burial of the late Baron speck
Won Sternburg. German ambassador to
the United States, will be held at
Lutzchena. the family estate, near Leip-
sic, next Friday.
The Baroness Won Sternburg has re-
ceived telegraphic messages of con-
dolence from friends in all parts of
the United States and Europe
There was q private funeral service
late last night after the arrival here
of the dead haron's brother, Baron
Alexander Won Sternburg The coffin
has been sealed and it will be taken to
Lutzchena tomorrow, accompanied by
the relatives of the deceased.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
PREFER SECOND CHARGE
AGAINST T. c. JOHNSON
Charges of Conspiracy in Sell
ing Second Hand Business
Are Filed

SANTA ROSA, Aug. 25.-The charge
of grand larceny against T. C. John
son preferred by Robert Schultless,
who purchased the second hand busi-
ness of the former, was dismissed to-
day at the preliminary hearing A
charge OF conspiracy was then filed
Adams. Johnson is accused of selling
the business and then removing prac-
tically all the pledged goods. When
persons came to Schultless to redeem
goods theyt were found missing and
when Johnson was called upon he
would deliver the goods and keep the
money.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
FETE TO AID CHURCH FUND

SAN MATEo. Aug. Interpretations
are being made by the members of st.
Anthony's guild of the St. Matthew's
Catholic church for their entertain
ment and dance in Athletic hall August
26 and 27. Useful and fancy articles
will be on sale at various booths whicn
will be in charge of Mrs. John Johns,
Mrs Frank Balm and a corps of assist
ants. The proceeds from the fair viii
be applied to the building debt of the
church
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
TILTED LOVER BRINGS
SUIT TO RECOVER JEWELS
Miss Velma ii. Barge Supposed
to Have Started West to
Avoid Summons
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

Los ANGELES. Aug. 25.-Court off,
GERS and private detectives are scour-
ing the city tonight in search of Miss
Velma H. Barge, one of the most beau
tiful society girls of Atlanta, Ca,
against whom an unusual suit was
brought in the superior court this aft
ernoon. Her disappointed lover. J. f.
Henry, an Atlanta manufacturer. whom
she Tilted after their wedding day had
been set, has brought action to recover
his presents to her.
These consist of half a dozen dia-
monds, some of great value. The young
woman anticipated the court proceed
ings, apparently, and took pains to
avoid process servers. She was seen
taking a cab near midnight, one of
Henry,s detectives reported, but man
aged to get away and is Supposed to
be on the way to San Francisco with
the diamonds, which represent all that
is left OF her romance.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
WIRELESS SYSTEM
EXTENDED TO NOME
War Department Enabled to
Communicate With Its Most
Northern Post
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

WASHINGTON. Aug 25.-It became
possible today for the war department
to enter into telegraphic communica-
tion with its most northern posts.
Forts Gibbon and Nome. Alaska.
through the completion OF a chain Of
cable and wireless stations betWeen
Seattle and Nome.
The new stations We're put into Oper-
atlon today, and General Allen, chief or
the signal service. was the first man
10 receive a message from the mining
camp on the shores of Bering sea
General Allen has been at work on
Sne ehain for more than a year. The
Nome and Fort Gibbon stations would
nave Oeen completed several weeks ago
but for the fact that the steamer carry
Ice pack and had to be towed out BY
revenue cutter Some of the materials
We're damaged and were replaced with
others sent from Seattle.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
UNIVERSITY TRAINER
UNDER SURGEONS KNIFE
Walter Christie Undergoes Sec
Ond Operation Following
Appendicitis Attack

BERKELEY, Aug. 25.-WaIter Chris
tie. well known a trainer at the
university, has been forced to undergo
a second operation. Christie submitted
to the knife for appendicitis last week,
but on Sunday another operation was
deemed necessary.
Christie is in the Roosevelt hospital.
attended by DR.. Frank Simpson. While
he is reported TO be improving rapidly
from the shocks of both operations. he
Is weak and may not be able to appear
on the football field in the capacity of
q trainer this season. Charles Volt
has been appointed temporary trainer
during Christies illness.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-26
PLANS ron DAM AUTHoRIzED

REDWOOD CITY, Aug. 25.zAt the
meeting of the city council last night
the returns of the late bond election
We're approved by the trustees and the
public utilities committee were en-
powered TO employ a competent hy-
nraullc engineer to make plans and
specifications for the proposed concrete
lam to be erected back Of the town
and the extension Of the water system.