The San Francisco call., 1908-12-10
First Fatality Follows Poison
ing of Seven Hundred Persons
at Vallejo Saturday
James c. Reynolds Tells Physi-
clan That Sandwiches Were
Five Days Old
Caterer Threatened With Prose-
cutiOn and Charged With
Buying Poor Provisions

The first fatality following the
wholesale poisoning at the Vallejo
luncheon on Saturday occurred yester-
day. when James c. Reynolds, a waiter,
OF 1871 Ellis street died from the effect
OF the tainted food Reynolds was one
OF the corps Of waiters-1hat served
the guests a. the navy yard and par
took Of some Of the beef and ham
sandwiches He suffered great pain
p Saturday night, but showed some
Ninp nprovement on Sunday. His case then
took a sudden turn and he sank slowly
until the end.
With the death Of Reynolds has come
the announcement that the state board
fof health has begun rigid investiga-
tion which may lead to the prosecu-
tion Of Leon Cohn. the caterer who
furnished the banquet. President Mar
ftin Regensburger and Secretary y. X
Foster Of the state board have been in
conference with the Vallejo physicians
and viii hold another meeting today.
They have summoned the boards at
torney. J. L Gardiner. from Watson
vile and viii lay the facts before him
TWENTY WATERS SUFFER
Reynolds was but one Of 20 walters
who were made III by the impure food.
Many OF the walters have charged that
Cohn knew that the edibles were Of
inferior quality ard have denounced
him in bitter terms. Victor ". Bauer
or the Pacific coast walters associa-
tiOn has come forward with the state
ment that Cohn has been notorious
for the questionable quality of the
food he served.
Martin Peterson. another waiter en-
ployed by Cohn at Vallejo, was taken
TO the central emergency hospital yes
terday at noon. He is in a critical con-
ditiOn- Frank Jamison. q machinist of
Vallejo. is also in a dangerous condi-
ZION. All the other patients TO the
number Of 700 were reported as i'm
proving yesterday.
Reynolds told his physicians shortly
before his death that the sandwiches
served at the luncheon were four or
i've days old. He was attended by
d.. Charles z. Leithead, who stated
sthat the symptoms were unmis kably
those Of ptomaine poisoning.
PRICES TOO LOW, SAYS BAUER
Victor Bauer OF the walters associa-
ton declared that Cohn had no facili-
ties for handling such a large order
as he furnished ar Vallejo and must
con days ahead Of time. he added that
81 would have been impossible for Cohn
TO have given first quality food for the
prices he quoted.
Cohn himself remains in hiding and
has delegated his defense TO his wife
She stated yesterday that she and heI
children had partaken Of the food. She
offered this as evidence that Cohn had
believed the meat TO be wholesome
She added that the committee at Val
lejO had been pleased with the service
and had paid her husband bonus ot
SO In explaining the low price OF
COINS bid, she asserted that he had
taken the contract largely for the ad-
vertisement.
The microscopic examinations con-
Quoted by Or. Frederick Hogan of Val
le5o have revealed bacteria in the han
served at the luncheon. DR. Frank An
derson, medical inspector at the navy
yard, has not yet completed his analy-
sis, and has declined in the meantime
10 make any definite statement
PROSECUTION Is THREATENED
DR.. Hogan was in conference yester-
day with DR.. Martin Regensburger
president OF the state board Of health
Dr- Foster, secretary Of the board, con
ferred with DR.. Hogan last night. An.
other meeting viii be held in San Fran
cisco today. at which Attorney Gardi
1ler VIII be present
Or. Foster said last night that repre-
sentatives OF the state board Would bs
present at the inquest over the body o.
Reynolds he added that if il could b,
established that Cohn purposely pur,
chased cheap food prosecutions would
be begun under the pure food law. L
IS not known yet whether the state ol
the federal government viii act in tn
matter. as the luncheon was served OF
government property. The WHOLESALE
poisoning has moved the state boarS
of health TO take steps for a more ef
fcient inspection. DR.. Foster said las
night that the board would ask th'
coming legislature for S6o.o00 for in
spection purposes.
VALLEJO PATIENTS IMPROVE
Reports from Vallejo and the ba.
cities brought the information thai
most Of the patients were on the road
10. recovery The family or Naval Con
etructor Evans at Vallejo had improved
greatly last night. The children al The
Good Templars' home in Vallejo were
.eiso reported as progressing favorably
II has been learned that the beef, yea
snd pork served at the luncheon were
purchased by Cohn at the New Pacific
market. 2lOS Market street; the tongu,
from A. Newman. 1885 Fulton street
the smoked and boiled ham from the
Excelsior provision company, 4lf Shot'
well street: the sardines from Colder
Brothers. I76 Church street, and the
sbrinnps from the Union schrimp com
pany. 667 Commercial street.
Governor Improving
REDDING. Dec AT p. m. Dr.
Ferdinand Stabel made the following
signed statement
governor GiIlett. after passing ;
restless night, has had a comfortable
dav. Temperature and pulse norma
an morning. Temperature this even
ing se.6. and pulse so. Partook Of frs
food Of semisolid nature today ant
seems much stronger and in bette
spirits. Suffers little pain now. Live
congestion relieved and every symptom
better"
DIR. Stabel adds that, barring tn
unexpected. the governor viii be on
of the hospital early next week.
WOMEN FINED $3.50
SALINAS. Dec. 9.ZEight femal'
lxeepers of unlicensed "deadfalls pafs