davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
Deeply Grateful
For Warden'S Kindness

.MM 0NDAY, July 81, 19OS-It is
W t breakfast time and ! slept but
H Two hours. went to sleep
n again after breakfast and slept
until dinner time. L feel very
much refreshed after my morning nap.
| an; am as well and in as good health as
SICK SICK a day since my arrest and con-
nhement Everything is just the same
as usual, The warden dropped in for
a nour or two this afternoon, and he
is such kind and considerate man
told him all about the trouble [ got
into at home and how I was forced to
all my troubles TO him. have travelled
considerable, mother, and have met a
good many people, and 1 have never
net net a nner nor more considerate man
tnan Mr. Hoyle, our warden. He is a
thorouBh gentleman and kind hearted
one not only to the prisoners, but to
the officers and. guards of the prison
also. They all speak highly of him.
While I was talking to him the pris-
oner VINO comes to get our orders for
our meals was taking down my order
Tor supper, and l suggested that he
order can of Bartlett pears for me.
and he said he wasn't sure they had
any in stock. The warden asked me if
didn't prefer the fresh fruit and
out. to his house and get some fresh
frult. he went out and brought Dab
neF and l enough to last several days.
We've had everything that our appe-
is the wardens order that we could
nave everything we wanted
Just at this point the warden dropped
IN he asked me how l felt and what
l was doing. 1 told him 1 was well
and that | was writing a diary to send
you. | let him look it over, and when
he got through he sat down and con-
yersed with me until few minutes
ago. He was here fully three hours
and half. 1t is now half past III.
Before he left he gave me some cigars.
l don't believe there ever has been a
warden in this institution who has
been so kind and considerate to con-
would like to know what other warden
has condescended to spend so much OF
his time with a prisoner as Mr.. Hoyle
has done, and that with a condemned
man. Mr.. Kelley; one of the watchers.
has been here II years, and he said
he never knew another warden to spend
over five or ten minutes with any other
prisoner unless on business.
Well, mamma, l spent very pleasant
day; considering everything, the days
are speeding by as if on wings. /
wouldn't care what happened If l
could but receive but one more message
from home. The day is now over and
the evening late. A moody indifference
to everything seems to settle on me
cell. 1t is gloomy enough, God knows,
but I assure myself, with sad smile,
there is always hope" as a good many
have found who have been situated just
as 1 am now. Four days and nights
have gone by-a long, monotonous
the time. With death of hope all fancy
and ina ginations perish. Well, mother
dear, my musings have gone far
enough, q so good night; love TO all.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
Eat, Drink and
Be M ferry

~ UESDAY. July 2S, 190S.-I arose
today as usual and had splen,
4 did breakfast. The priest dropped
III in for awhile and cheered me
with his bright presence. / spent
the rest of the morning reading the
papers and doing some writing. For
dinner I had a whole roast chicken, and
so did Dabner; we had for dessert some
preserved pears, cocoanut cream cake
and some pie. Now don't think / am
getting a glutton when you read
my bill of fare since Friday; if 1t comes
in such large quantities 1t is because
the warden gave the cooks and bakers
instructions to give us all we needed.
This afternoon the warden brought my
attorney, Judge Shortall, and another
lawyer up to see me. My attorney must
have an idea that / am not satisfied
with his handling of my case. l told
him not to entertain such an idea for
a moment as 1 am perfectly satisfied
that he did all he possibly could for me.
/ have told you that long ago. Well,
mamma, 1 have just had supper, con-
sisting of salad, sardines, cheese and
crackers and some fruit and cake for
dessert; 1t is just about all / am going
to do now is to eat drink. sleep and
be merry cat least try to be) for the
old saying Is For tomorrow you die. :.
1t sort of fits my case. Well, mother,
I'll close for the day and retire, with
my thoughts far away with you and
all my loved ones. Good night and
God bless you.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
SIEMSEN LEAVES
PARTING RECORD
Bares Heart TO Mother in AnaIy-
sis of the Misdeeds of
His Sinful Life
Remarkable Screed Filled With
Love, Forgiveness and
Faith in Hereafter

~AN QUENTIN, July "a, 19Os.-My
Dear Mother and Sisters: I have
~ decided to keep a diary OF my last
week on earth, so that you and the
children may know how 1 have spent
my last days am writing this now
with the fuu knowledge that my life
merely hangs by a thread, and that un-
less the governor intereedes my life
viii be forfeited on the 3lst.
DO not grieve, my loved ones, but
take heart and cheer up; il is my last
request. It would be comfort ana
consolation TO me TO feel in my dying
hours that when this message reaches
you ii shall console you with the
knowledge that ] die in peace. The
law has sentenced me TO death and /
viii have TO go unless, as 1 say. the
governor steps in and grants me'ares-
pite. I have appealed 10 him to look
into my case and to grant me sum
cient time in order TO enable me TO
prove my innocence.
Today 1 was removed from my old
quarters and placed in the condemned
ward. where / am now penning you
these lines. This is the famous death
chamber" which you have no doubt
read or heard about. and TO tell you
the truth. mamma, it is so exaggerated
that outsiders have an idea that ii IS
q chamber OF horrors. I thought my
last quarters were pretty fair, consid-
ering everything, but this is a hundred
per cent better. Here I am in large
room. 1Sx22 or % feet in width and
length. lots of room TO exercise in, and
besides there are. no iron bars or stones
10 continually stare one in the face and
remind him Of being in prison. I viii
say I am surprised TO see how much
more pleasant il is being here than
my old quarters. Dabner is up here
with me; a thin partition divides our
cells. He is in the cell that Theodore
Durrant spent his last days in. 1 had a
fine bath this afternoon. was given a
new suit of clothes and finally intro
duced into my present apartments. OF
course. the furniture is a bit scarce,
but as Il is a bed. table and rocking
chair are quite sufficient, with all the
writing utensils need. This afternoon
we both had splendid feed, as the
warden gave orders that we could have
anything we wanted, and If they didn I
have ii he would furnish It himself.
This evening he sent US a box of apri-
cots and some oranges.
There are three guards who wait on
Us two; they take turns about and see
that our wants are slpplied-that is
what their duties are-and they are
called the death watch" One Of them
has 10 be on duty at all hours, day
and night. The three OF them are
splendid men and they think very
highly OF the warden. Mr.. Kelley, the
death watch now on duty, just hand
ed me a cigar, and 1 assure you, NAM
ma. IL is a luxury, especially in here.
The priest was here and spent an hour
with me. He asked for your address
and the names Of all the children. He
assured me that he would write you to-
night gave me lots Of encouragement
and he told me TO remember your pray
ers and TO give my soul to God. It is
now j o'clock and I'm getting sleepy,
so I'll bid you good night. Love and
kisses TO all.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
THE WHITE COMPANY
YOUNG GIRL TORN
BY HUNGRY DOGS
Eleven Year Old Gladys Wells
Attacked by Two Vicious
Animals
SPECIAL p1spArcH 70 rHE cALL

SAN JOSE, July 31.-While carrying
a package of meat to her home In
North Twelfth street this afternoon IL
year old Gladys Wells was attacked by
two large dogs and so severely bitten
that she is now confined to her bed IN
a precarious condition. One OF the
dogs planted his teeth in her shoulder
and the other seized her In the small
Of the back. She was in great danger
of being torn to pieces until some
neighbors rushed to her rescue ana
frightened the animals away
The police were at once summoned
and Officers Hines and Murphy sue
ceeded in rounding up the dogs ana
wounding them with their revolvers,
but neither one of them was killed
They both escaped through the back
yards. There was a crowd on the
street and the officers were not aple 10
use their guns freely. One OF the dogs
was shot in the shoulder and Inc
others tail was shot off.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01

city. Well. mamma, the warden was up
here and spent quite a few hours with
US boys this afternoon, and he gave
me n swell cigar. I had quite con-
Versation with him and 1 told him
night when nobody was looking. L
did make an attempt to dig my way
out when nobody was looking, but
den. instead of Furnishing me, took the
matter very phiIosophically and let 1t
end there Before he left us this att
ernoon he left orders that we. should
ing we had a fine supper; l got three
cigars and 1 certainly appreciated them,
for that is one of my weaknesses =
as 1 am a lover of cigars. ] have been
treated splendidly today. Well. mother,
bid you and the family good night.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
Lays His Death
At His Wife'S Door

~ ATURDAY, July 25. 19os.-I got up
at a m this morning and or
~ dered my breakfast, which consist
ed of ham and eggs, French fried
potatoes and a fine piece of porter
house steak also had cup Of milk and
q cup OF coffee. The warden again sent
US a box of fruit this morning, partly
pears and mostly peaches. We also
received two glasses of jelly. We re-
ceived a load Of books today and this
afternoon I got a letter from Mrs. Two
good. dear old soul! If she only knew
how light of heart I now feel I would
be happy She is noble hearted
woman and a devoted friend; she
stated that she had received your let
ter. and also Pets, and that she would
fulfll my wishes TO the letter. / have
placed full trust and confidence in her,
just as I have in you. She says in her
letter: Believe me, Johnnie, every
word I have uttered to Captain Duke
was in your favor, as I could not do
otherwise as / know nothing but what
IS good and true of you" How sorry
I am at this time OF day when I think
OF my undue haste in misjudging her.
Nevertheless, / gladly apologized when
Carrie assured me of my mistake. l
hope for my sake. mother dear, you
two viii always be the dearest and
best Of friends. and whatever happens
TO me rest assured that my last days
were peaceful and happy; I have for
given all. though 1 am going to my
death innocent of this crime. I have
but myself TO blame. I should have
ignored my wife in spite of her appeals
70 spare her and saved myself. But
you know that isn't my nature. mamma
Whatever may have been my faults 1
have never yet thrown woman down.
IN that affair at home I had to sacri-
fee home, friends and my career for
Us sake. I took all the blame when
God knows ! didn't deserve IL. or to
be so uniustly treated. I knew l had
done wrong and 1t was up to me to
protect the girl, though heaven knows
some OF them amt worth it. In this
case il was the same old story the only
difference being this girl was my wife.
] had wronged her and there was no
getting away from the fact. She con-
sidered me in honor bound to shield
and protect her good name. She knew
II was an impossibility for me to clear
myself without disgracing her. She
begged me in tears to spare her.
I did. What else could have done ?
You know at one time I considered my
self an outcast I thought that affair
at Honolaa had ostracised me and
and all. OF course, / have since learned
differently. and God forgive me for
ever thinking that you. my mother and
sisters. could for one moment entertain
such an idea. As 1 told Carrie, a year
ago, had for one moment thought you
all loved me as of old, l would never
have stood by my wife as I did at the
time for what has my sacrifice for
her amounted toz She waited until /
was convicted and then threw me down.
7 don't blame you or my sisters one BIT
for entertaining hard feelings against
her: YOU can lay my death at her door
# ] do die.
We'll. mamma. I Just got through an
sWering Mrs. Twogood's letter, and ]
am terribly anxious to hear what sue
cess she had in regards to the boy.
That is why I was so anxious about
seeing her when / went back to the
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
Saddened Heart
COmf0rted by Dream

NV yEDNESDAY. July 2e.-Just two
EA more days to that fatal S1st,
Nv and no news from the gov
w ernor. l understand that he
is due to arrive in the city
today. If l don't, get word from
hopes, though one can never tell.
I shall have the warden type this
off so you may be able to preserve
this, my last words to you. i know
aunty, Charlie and the rest of the
family will be asking you for 1T, and
the first thing you know it will be all
torn up. The warden had my appeal to
the governor typed off-and 1t was done
up fine. You can give the typewritten
as / know you would prefer that what
is written by my own hand--as would
Pet. At any rate she shall have my
signature. OF course, mother, / am not
yet positive at this writing whether /
shall have to go or not, but | want to
be fully prepared, as 1 think it is al
ways best to look at both sides of
am discouraged or disheartened; /
feel deeply, just as you and the family,
and / intend to bear up under the bur
den-just so do / expect you. You
know, mother, dear. I sat up quite late
last night, and when l threw myself
on the bed and sleep came, wandered
Off into dreamland, and wonderful, too.
The happiness 1 derived from that
dream comforted my saddened heart.
The images Of my dream are now up-
permost in my mind, and every little
Incident of childhood long lost to mem
ory, comes fresh before me. became an
outcast, wanderer, without friend. a
house or home; that while others reaped
wealth and honors, l was destined to
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
Doomed Man Searches His Soul and Sets
Each Thought in Diary for Loved Ones

KOHN SIEAlSEN did not pass the last days Of his life
~ in dleness They terrible days for him. they perc
for Dabner and he told of his feelings his hopes and his
fears diary whch he began 10 kcep the day he pas
placed the cell reserved for the condemned The diary
continued up until Thursday night wn II hours of the pis-
ones DEATH the story of a who tnops he about to
pap NTH his life for the commission of crime.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01

ner. only I had some canned peaches
for dessert. The warden sent us up
four packages Of Durham tobacco, as
we had told him we preferred it to the
other. and the night captain brought it
up to us / have just had a strong cup
of coffee and it has just kept me so
vide awake that L don't think 1 shall
be able to sleep.
We'll, 1t is just as / thought. I have
SAT up all night talking to- one of the
guards and ] did not go to bed until g.
wrote to Charlie and Helen before |
retired. Well, mamma, good night or
rather, good morning. Love to you
and the children
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
v1s,r HOWE OF BEETHoyEN

BONN, July 31-The members OF
the Brooklyn Arion choral society to-
day visited the house in which
Beethoven lived. Later, grouped in
front of the Beethoven statue in the
public square, they sang the Beethoven
hymn. They visited Godenberg this
afternoon and were given a reception
bv the Cecilia choral society.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
CATHOLICS REPEAT PRAYERS

ROME, July 31.-The Rev. a. T.
Doyle, rector of the Apostolic mission
house at Washington, D. c., has in
formed the Vatican Of the progress
made by the mission in America
The object OF the mission is to con-
vert Americans to Catholic faith, and
Father Doyle says 1t will not take long
to realize this project: indeed, the nope
is entertained that the entire English
speaking people will be converted to
Cpth0IiciSm
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
The Line of the Leafy Place.

The frontispiece of Sunset Magazine
for August is a brightly colored glimpse
into the heart of the Muir Woods in
Marin County, by l. p. Latimer, an art
ist who has made the redwoods his spes
cial study. Such picture gives the
.'call of the wild" to the dweller among
high buildings. and fortunately this tall
timber is close at hand.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01


Siemsen seemed to be trembling. Iheh
the nangmans hand was raised.
Dr.sJ. NJ Mills and DR.. Wade stone
attended the body of Dabner, while II
=. " Galehouse and Dr.. GLADDEN. Weis
oinclaiy IN charge of that or zSleInseh
lhey were assisted by several olneIs
including DIR. Asa NJ. Collins, Dr. b. +
eden, DIR. b. A. Mardis and DR.. Charles
- P1nkham. The flesh of the hanging
podles turned slowly to a tint OF blush
gray, and minutes from the time the
trap was sprung Dabner was pro-
nounced dead. Siemsen's death came
90 seconds later. The execution room
was cleared as quickly as possible and
lhe bodies of the murderers were cut
doWn INTO rough coffins.
SHAKE HANDS AND DIE FRIENDS
Siemsen and Dabner die friends. The
siiehce that has marked their every
association from the day when Dab
ner confessed their crimes was broken
py Slemsen Thursday night, and before
they were taken to the execution cham
Der yesterday the men shook hands and
conVersed together for several minutes
Iheir conversation was meant for no
other ears than their own. They shook
flanos, they mutually forgave and they
parted friends.
ana showed no emotion. Siemsen, on
the other hand. talked constantly TO
the members of the death watch, and
yesterday morning was whistling In his
cell-Whistling song whose words are
tragically apt-"Somewhere." Each of
the condemned men was given a quart
or whisky on Thursday night, but
neither of them drank much of the
liquor and both slept late yesterday
morning. They breakfasted on steak,
ham and eggs and coffee. of which both
partook heartily, and then, while Dab
ner sat idly in his cell, Siemsen finished
the diary he had been keeping since
being placed in the condemned cell.
Dabner used none of the five invita-
tions to the hanging allowed him for
distribution, but Siemsen sent his TO
his former attorneys. For two hours
early in the morning the condemned
men were in company with the prison
priests, and then Siemsen did the last
act of his life-he wrote a long per-
sonal letter to his mother and sisters
In Honolulu.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
THREE MURDERS CONFESSED

Dahner and Siemsen were guilty OF
and confessed to three murders. They
first killed Johannes Pfitzner, shoe
dealer of 694 McAllister street, on Au
gust 19, 1906, by beating him to death
with a gaspipe. September IA Of the
same year they assassinated William
Friede, a clothing merchant of 1885
Market street, in a similar manner, and
on October they murdered NJ. Muna-
kata, president OF the Kimmon Ginko
Japanese bank at O'Farrell and Web
ster streets and nearly killed his CASH
ier, A. Sasaki. All the murders were
committed in the daytime and were as
bold as they We're horrible in their de-
tails. 1t was while attempting to rob
the jewelry store of Henry Behrend
at 1923 Steiner street on November 3,
1906, that the plucky jeweler made a
fight which led to their capture. In ad-
dition to the murders the two men
confessed having committed three hold
ups.
The hanging of Dabner and Siemsen
was the third double execution that has
been held at San Quentin. On October
18, 1895, two sailors, Hauser and St.
Clair. were hanged for mutiny and
murder committed aboard the bark
Hesper, and on February 13. 1903. Jose
Gotta and Juan Gonzales were executed
for the murder of A. Ruiz.
BOTH NECKs BROKEN
The bodies of Dabner and Siemsen
were removed from the penitentiary
during the afternoon and taken to an
undertaking parlor in San Rafael. An
examination there showed that the
scaffold had done its work well, both
necks being cleanly broken.
Leo Dabner made all arrangements
for his brothers burial and the inter-
ment will take place tomorrow morn
ing at Mount Tamalpais cemetery in
San Rafael. There was considerable
doubt as to what would be done with
Semsen's body. No one had come for
ward to claim 1t up to late last night,
but there was report that friends of
the executed mans mother, living in
California, had volunteered to bury it.
A morbid crowd gathered around the
undertaking parlors as soon as 1t be-
came known that the bodies were
there, but none, except those directly
interested, was allowed to view them.
BIG LOSS BY FIRE-Buffalo n. Y, July 81
Fire at the plant of the f. D. Jones steel ball
IAee G1 "a n0n
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
Continued ON Page :, Middle Column 8
g. Trittenbnch

Insurance broker, est. 1874, now located
rooms 30o-50I Marine bldg, NE. cor
California and Front SITS.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
|GASPlPE THUGS
HANG TOGETHER

Continued from page 1. column 3
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
| SEWING MACHINES SOLD, REPAIRED AND RENl

lakes Big bargains New machines s17 hand
White Sewing Machine Agency, Fillmore Pho
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01

BIG LOSS BY FIRE-Bufa1o, n Y, July 81.
Fire at the plant of the f. ID. Jones steel ball
bearing company today caused loss of $50. 600.
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01

BAKERY O.. *. BAKERY, scHLICHrrNG & COLEMAN 10
and
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01

.iOACiLO FRANCIS KERsTEN Fillmore street near
IE BEST. Cash required
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01
PICTURE FRAMING

Prices Framing xoda Work In the
GIBSON. 2207 Fillmore Il. f. J..
The San Francisco call., 1908-08-01

DID Fitted and sold Evening hourss
Thursday. y to 81 Saturday. 10. Lady attendant.
DION TRUSS CO., 1853 Golden Gate Phone Vest
Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1908-05-13
The Wizard,

Some years ago an expedition from
he University of Pennsylvania was
ient to one of our southern states fol-
he purpose of observing solar
eclipse.
The day before the event one of the
professors said to an old darky be
longing to the household wherein the
scientist was quartered:
tom, if you will watch your chick
ems tomorrow morning you'll find
het they'll all go to roost at II
o'clock"
Tom was, of course, skeptical; but
at the appointed hour the heavens
we're darkened, and the chickens re-
tired to roost. At this the negro's
amazement showed no bounds, and he
sought out the scientist.
Professor" said he, "how long ago
lid you know dem chickens would go
o roost?"
about year ago." said the pro-
lessor, smiling.
''Well, eff dat don't beat ALL" was
he darky's comment. Professor. a
year ago dem chickens want even
,atched!"--Harper's Weekly.
Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1908-05-13
LAME EVERY MORNING.
A Bad Back Is Always Worse In the
Morning-Palestine People Are
Finding Relief.

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