davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29
P.MIDDLETON
DRINKS POISON
IN SHRUbbFRY
Veteran Real Estate Man Lies
Down to Die in Golden
Gate Park
Boys Hear GrOans of Sufferer
and Call Aid, but Death
Follows Soon
Brief Note Written in Extenua-
ton of Suicide Declares
"My Life Is My Own

Selecting secluded spot in Golden
Gate park, in the shrubbery near the
music stand, Samuel P. Middleton, the
veteran real estate and mining man,
once wealthy and a power in the busi-
ness world, drank a poisonous draft
yesterday afternoon and then lay down
to die. Having attained his three
score years and ten, Middleton evil
IDENTIFY believed that he had run his
race. In extenuation of his act, he
left a note containing his brief
philosophy on self-destruction. 1t reads:
Il agree with A. T. Kendall (who had
recently addressed a morning paper on
the question of suicide). Ny life is my
own. To whom do 1 owe arythingo My
father and mother are responsible for
my being on this earth Did 1 have
anything to do with my beginning? If
my life is not my own, whose is it?
Does the state take care of me and
thereby assume control of my life and
actions? OF course, they punish me if
l am bad, but do they reward re if L
am good?"
Middleton was found In the brush by
Robert and Edward Owens OF 1895
Tenth avenue. two boys who were at
tracted by his groans while passing
through the park. The suffering man
was taken to the park hospital and
was later given treatment at the CEN
trail emergency hospital where he died
at midnight.
Middletons wife called at the hospi-
tai and was overcome with grief She
said that her husband had left for his
office at 779 Market street as usual
yesterday morning and had given no
special indication of dependency Mid
|dleton was heavy loser in the fire
and business cares have weighed heav-
lily upon him of late
In the early days he was a wealthy
operator in real estate and mining
stocks. He made a fortune in the
Comstock days, but lost a great part
of it in later ventures. Since the fire
he has resided with his wife at 2517
Post street.
Middleton's brother, John. occupies a
prominent place in the local business
world. The latter's daughter was re-
Gently married to c. F. Buckley Jr
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29
SAYS HARTMAN
HAS GOULD LINES
Rumor Says His Control Now
Gives Him a Road From
Ocean to Ocean
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL


NEW YORK, July 2S.-The American
says: BY a treaty of peace between
E. H. Hartman and George ]. Gould.
which Wall street heard was approved
by both parties today, immediately
after Gould's arrival from Europe.
Hartman becomes the dominating fac
tor in the Gould railroads. and the
Erie becomes eastern outlet for both
Hartman and Gould systems. besides
getting an entrance into Pittsburg.
Under this arrangement Hartman
becomes master OF about 10000 miles
of railroad main track and scores of
ocean lines. Gould will remain presf-
dent of the companies as heretofore
but il is understood that Hartman
will dictate the policies.
This arrangement will rehabilitate
the credit Of the Gould companies. II
will enable the Gould roads to raise
money for improvements that are des-
perately needed. 1t will give Harri-
man joint use with the Missouri Pa
cific of the Western Pacific. railroad
1t will give the Erie RAILROAD a half
interest, either by direct ownership or
trackage rights, over the Wheeling and
Lake Erie and the Wabash Pittsburg
terminal.
At one stroke this turns both the
Gould and the Hartman lines into
transcontinental railroads. 1t makes
Hartman the first man to bestride the
continent. He has achieved his am
bition of being the first man in the
United States to control an ocean TO
ocean railroad.
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29
WOMEN TREMDLE
AT ANGRY MAID
Mrs. Timothy Hopkins Saves
Town and Country Club
From Servants SOrtie

Dear me! If it could only have
been some other club. Why, there
are plenty of women's clubs in the
city that wouldn't have minded it at
all; that would have rather gloried in
the situation; that could have carried
off the honors of war with the great
est possible relish!
But to have the exquisite reserve of
the Town and Country club broken
by an episode of this kind; to have
the conservative silence of its well
aired and well busted and carefully
darkened rooms Jared by an episode
$3.50 vulgar, $3.50 outrageous, you
know, so absolutely out of form-well.
it was terrible and the members, over
endless pots of soothing uncolored
Japan and English breakfast, are still
discussing 1t.
There is rule. it seems, in this
most respected and admired-not to say
reverenced-club. that when Madame
from out of town wishes TO interview
a servant, or ten servants, she may
use certain rooms in the club for that
exhilarating business She may spend
the new Lena or Agnes just how often
she will allow her to come to town
from Burlingame or San Rafael, and
Just what she likes a waitress to wear
and just how fussy she is about the
silver.
The privilege has been frequently
used during the last few years by
smart matrons from out of town, and
it was used a few days ago. when
one of San Mateos prettiest girls
wanted to talk to some prospective
maids. When she had finished she
went upstairs for a cup of tea, and it
was while she and several other mem
bers were peaceably discussing thin
bread and butter and scones, half an
hour later that one of the disappointed
applicants for the position of maid
returned. She was a large applicant
and of positive and pugnacious dis
position.
She entered with force and speed.
dispelling instantly the dear familiar
atmosphere of buttered muffin, latest
novel, messaline silk and new play
that pervades the club in the after
moons.
The terrified tea drinkers scattered.
intimidated, and from various vantage
points murmured prayers and breath
less comment. The would be maid
charged for her would not be en-
ployer, dropping, en- passant. several
observations as to her idea of what
constituted a lady and what did not.
She obviously thought herself fitted
for the post of maid, and wished to
secure that especial position.
1t was then that Mrs. Timothy Hop
kins came magnificently to the rescue.
Braving lifted umbrella, she took
the visitant firmly by the shoulder and
turned her kindly but positively into
Franklin street And then slowly the
ripples subsidized. breath returned to
the Town and Country club, and the
clock could once more be heard placidly
ticking over Miss Morgan's desk.
But my dear eyes. l think / will,
thank you. Just half a cup. and no
sugar.. have been a member of
the club 16 years. and / assure you
that in all that time, never. never has
anything 500 perfectly awful
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29
CHARGES GOULD VISITED
DISREPUTABLE HOUSE
Wife's Complaint Made Public
in Preliminary Hearing OF
Divorce Conspiracy

NEW YORK. July 2S.-In a prelimi-
nary hearing of the Gould divorce con-
spiracy today the complaint of Mrs.
Frank j. Gould became public 1t re-
cites that "on or about July 25. 1905.
the defendant, while cruising in the
yacht Helenita, entered the harbor of
North Sydney, Cape Breton, Dominion
of Canada, and there visited a house
OF prostitution or i'll fame conducted in
said town, and there committed acts
with persons unknown to the complain
ant"
That is all there is to the Gould di-
yorce case, although the most desperate
efforts were made to keep the copy of
the complaint from the newspapermen.
Gould was the star witness of the
evening, but did not contribute much to
the knowledge of the attorneys for the
defense. Gould admitted that he is ac-
quainted with Bessie de Vote and said
that he had talked with her on several
occasions.
Miss McCausland submitted to more
than three hours of further cross exam
ination by Blumenthal for Mrs Teal
Step by step she was taken over her
testimony. of last Friday, but the most
earnest efforts of the attorneys to trim
her were futile.
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29
Daughter OF Marin Millionaire
Battles Against Forest Fire
to Save Mansion
Blaze Burns Two Square Miles
on Hills and Threatens
San Rafael
Boys Playing in Wood Rescued
by Workmen, Who Lead Them
Through Dense Smoke

SAN RAFAEL, July 28.-Raging
fires swept over the slopes back of
San Rafael this afternoon and for sew
eral hours threatened the destruction
of the finest residences of the city.
An army of 100 men and boys fought
the flames, but the heroine of the day
was Miss Lillian Foster, daughter of
A. w. Foster, the well known mil
honaire. Miss Foster worked by the
side of the men, and it was largely
due to her energy that her fathers
palatial home was saved. William
Barr, manager of the Marin county
water company, and j. V. Pitcher, man
ager of the E. K. Wood lumber COM
pany, were In the forefront of the line
and directed the fire fighters. 1t was
late in the evening when the blaze
was effectually controlled, but the
smoldering embers ilIumined the hills
until nearly midnight.
During the afternoon a number of
boys were hemmed in by the flames and
were rescued with difficulty. Constable
H. j. Lucas was the only person in
AIS W rlo 81 10y OAAnC1 stADOdt
the face.
The fire burned over an area of two
square miles of hillside, consuming the
dry grass and making torches of the
trees. The fire broke out at noon from
an unknown cause in the vicinity of
BOYD hill. Famed by the wind it
spread over the surrounding territory
and swept toward the city. By deter
mined efforts Boyd park was saved and
then, as the wind veered, the fringe of
fire turned up the valley.
Several boys were at play in the
woods and remained to watch the ap-
preaching blaze. Before they were
aware of their predicament wing of
the fire had almost enveloped them.
Workmen at Forbes quarry rushed to
their assistance and helped them
through the dense smoke.
For time the quarry where a large
quantity of dynamite and 200 gallons
of gasoline are stored was in danger,
but the flames were turned in time.
The Foster residence lay directly in
the path of the oncoming blaze. Paul
Foster at once summoned all the men
on the place and the battle was re-
newed. Miss Lillian Foster, working
with the men, spread wet blankets,
while Barr and Pitcher formed bucket
brigade. The fire had been extinguished
but few minutes when the blaze broke
out anew on Boyd's hill. After another
long battle the flames were confined to
a narrow area and effectually checked.
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29
TAFT'S SPEECH CAUSES
AN ADVANCE IN STOCKS
Banking Interests See Promise
of More Conservative Ma
tionaI Administration
SpECIAL DISPATCH no THE CAl

NEW YORK, July 2S.-Wall streets
estimate of the Taft speech was re-
flected in a general advance in the
stock market after it's publication. 1t
was generally viewed in banking cir
cles as a promise of a more conserva-
tive national administration, and as
such was regarded as acceptable
The public bought stocks to empha-
size satisfaction with the candidate s
policies, although it is generally known
that accurate outlines of the speech
have been in the hands of brokerage
houses for several days. The bull pools
found some public following. though
the transactions for the day were not
large.
Among the low priced stocks New
York, Ontario and Western and the
Erie shares exhibited strength Among
the stories connected with Erie's rise
was one that e. H. Hartman would
enter the directorate of the Gould roads
and an arrangement would be made by
which Erie and Wabash would ex-
change business al Pittsburg.
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29
MELBA WILL SING FOR
OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN
Contracts With Manhattan
Company for New York
Opera Season in December
SPECIAL CABLE TO THE CALL

LONDON. July 2S.-After all. Melba
will sing in New York next opera sea-
son. Since Oscar Hammerstein's return
he has communicated with her. and
partly out of a sense of loyalty to him
and also because she has the utmost
admiration for his courage, Melba has
consented to sign with the Manhattan
company.
Nine. Melba will arrive in New YORK;
on December 5. She will make her ra-
entry in "Othello," but she must leave
New York for Europe early in Febrnarv
to sail for Australia and carry ONT q
tour she has planned to make in her
native land.
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29
GIRL GIVEN WATCH FOR
SAVING DROWNING BOY
Gallant Rescue of Lad From
Waters of Russian River
Is Acknowledged
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE Cali.

SANTA ROSA, July 2S.-Miss Stella
Bartholomew of Occidental, who re-
Gently rescued young man from
drowning in the Russian river. has
received from A. C. Tice, the bows
father, who is agent for Wells-Farro
company in San Francisco handsome-
ly engraved gold watch and fob as a
token of his appreciation for her brav-
cry. Engraved in the cover is the
condensed history of her brave deed.
Miss Bartholomew, who is only IL
is not proficient swimmer but when
she saw the boy in danger she jumped
into the stream and made a gallant
rescue.
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29
w. #. M. LEVY AssEssMENr

DENVER, July 2s.-In order to be
prepared for future strikes the con-
vention of the western federation of
miners today ordered the executive
board to levy per capita assessment
sufficiently large to raise a 500 0ofI
strike fund, TO be used only during
strikes. A constitutional amendment
TO authorize acceptance of withdrawal
cards of the Industrial workers of tba
world was defeated.
All work, save the election of Of
hcers and the selection of next wears
meeting place. has now been completed.
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29
MAJoH H. /. McCREA DIES

PITTSBURG, Pa. July 2S.-While en-
route from Washington to this city on
the Pennsylvania railroad Major H. I.
McCrea. a former paymaster in the
He was the only son of Captain Henry
navy, today succumbed to heart failure.
McCrea, who died recently in New York,
and was cousin of President McCrea
of the Pennsylvania railroad.
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29
cHIcAeo, Iuly 2s. = President

CHICAGO, July %. - President
Thomas L. Hisgen of Massachusetts.
Vice president-John Temple Graves
OF Georgia.
The above ticket was tonight nomi-
mated by the independence party at its
first national convention.
The friends of Mr.. Bryan made an
effort during the night session to
bring his name before the convention
and the man who attempted it nearly
produced riot and narrowly escaped
physical violence at the hands Of the
: indignant delegates The man who
sought TO place Bryan IN nomination
was J. L Shepard Of Fort Scott, Kans.
He did not succeed in his mission, for
being called to order by the conven-
tion and questioned by Chairman
Charles z. Walsh, he admitted that IT
was his intention to name Bryan.
That was the first and last time he
mentioned the name Of the democratic
leader. He was promptly ruled out of
order by the chairman and under the
guard Of several sergeants at arms he
was hustled out Of the hall while some
oS the incensed delegates vainly at
tempted to strike him with fists and
one OF them swung at him savagely
with q cane.
HIsGEN ON THIRD BALLOT
The nomination of Hisgen was made
on the third ballot, his chief competi-
tors being Milford W. Howard Of Ala
bama and John Temple Graves of Geor-
gia- Reuben r. Lyon OF New York re-
cefved g complimentary vote on the
first ballot and William r. Hearst had
90 friends who voted for him on the
FIRST two ballots.
The nomination Of Graves was adopt
ed unanimously, the names of other
candidates having been withdrawn.
The credentials committee was
late in bringing fits report to the
convention hall. The chairman could
not be found, but the New York
member Of the committee wrote
out a substitute report from memory
and it was promptly submitted and
adopted. 1t declared that only one con-
test had been brought to it, from the
fourteenth district of Massachusetts,,
ana dQAt4 A-AC e@pol - ~AAN I
was seated"
The successful competitor for the
seat was not named, however, as the
New york member OF the committee
had not charged his memory with the
identity Of the man.
Mr.. Hearst, the actual temporary
chairman, was not on the platform, and
Judge Reuben r. Lyon OF New York
presided. He called, at the conclusion
OF the report of the credentials COM
mittee. for that of the committee on
rules. order and permanent Organiza-
ton. This named Charles A. Walsh Of
Iowa as the permanent chairman
The mention Of Mr.. Walsh's name
was received with cheers. He was es-
corted to the platform and upon taking
up the gavel delivered an address. say
ing. IN part:
we have reached the parting Of the
ways In the long years that have
brought many CT US scared and whitened
down to the frrevocable step which we
are about to take we have followed
with all the veal, all the loyalty, all
the honesty and energy which pos
sessed us either the one or the other
Continued on Page z, Column
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29
MARINE

Schooner Charles Hansen arrives from Alas
kan river with $4,000 worth Of fnrs on
board Page 10
Captain. crew and wrecker abandon hope of
steamer Anubis after breakers wrench on steel
plates. Page
SOCIAL
Mrs. Frederick Van sicklen and her daughter
return after four months visit in the
east. Page q
LABOR
new league Of metal trade workers has been
tormed- Page 10
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29
Taft Accepts With Pledge to Continue the Roosevelt Policies
INDEX OF THE
SAN FRANCISCO CALLS
TELEPHONE KEARNY SO
WEDNESDAY. July 20. 1905
WEATHER CONDITIONS
NEWS TODAY

YEsTERDAY-Clear; west wind; maximum
temperature. O.; minimum, 30.
FORECAST FOR TODAY-Fair; somewhat
warmer; light south wind, changing to fresh
west Page 10
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29

Who'll be elected president? Much de-
pends upon the president makers. Who
these men are and how they do their enor-
fnously important work will be explained
The San Francisco call., 1908-07-29

Continued on Page :, Column 4
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-16

ted by the poorest town and the poor
est county in the state.
Why does Topeka and Shawnee per-
NIT 1t? The city has lately dumped
Iot o, broken stone in the holes on
Eighth street between Jackson and
Harrison, on the north side of the state
house grounds. If the city is not able
to compel the proper repair of those
docks, 1t should close up the street or
inasmuch as the city is probably bound
to pave one-half of the street. 1t should
get about it and pave that half and
board up the other half.
The city has dumped piles of broken
rocks in the holes on West Sixth street
The rocks not only ruin the rubber
tires of carriages and automobiles, but
the street is still left in a condition
like choppy sea.
Topeka and Shawnee county have
much to learn about the keeping of
roads in repair in and about Topeka
The people of the city and the county
are heavily taxed for road purposes,
but they get very poor returns for
their money. A visit to other towns
and communities makes the people of
this community ashamed of their road
officers, city and county. Little country
towns run an ample road drag and
keep their streets smooth and passa-
BILE, even If they are not paved or
macadamized. Topeka does not seem
to know that there is a road drag of
any kind.
The commissioners have been dump
ing lot more loose rock on worn
| portions of their macadamized roads in
this county. The teams avoid the loose
| rock as far as possible and will not
| drive over them unless compelled to.
| Why not repair the roads so that driv-
| ing over them will be a pleasure or
satisfaction. There is no more i'm
| portant duty than the keeping of the
! streets and roadways of the commun-
| ity in proper repair. Let the voter
scrutinize the ticket he votes in No
vember and see the record of the road
officer for whom he is asked to vote
| or get pledge from new blood which
| desires to assume the duties of public
servants. The State Journal has re-
ceived a number of communications
upon the subject of good roads and
| knows, 1. d. Graham. who says:
II desire to congratulate you on the
| recent appearance of a strong article
entitled. Are Going to Ruin"
LAS one of the founders of the Kan
| sas Good Roads association, and as
its secretary-treasure for the first
\ three years of its existence, was nat
| urally very much interested in this ar
| ticle.
There is but one exception that could
| be taken to any statement made, and
that is the statement that These road.
| were all we'll built of either gravel OF
crushed rock This statement could
| not apply to a portion of the Yves
Sixth avenue road, (east of Ward.
creek which was built in the mos
slipshod manner under the superin
| tendance of an inexperienced boy and
without having been rolled during con
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-16

dence in the case of a prisoner
charged with a capital offense, he
takes up the scepter. If he points the
dragons head at the prisoner the lat
ter goes free, but If the prisoner is
confronted with the sharpened end he
must be beheaded.
This is said to be the only specimen
of its kind ever obtained from the for
hidden city and brought to this coun-
try. 1t is the gift of M. F. Savage of
this city who obtained 1t for the
museum some time ago from an East
Indian merchant, a gift of brilliant
hued Hawaiian feather cape which re-
quired generations to make.
Mr.. Savage says that this judges
staff or scepter was used only in the
forbidden city at the trial of great
mobiles. 1t was obtained by an Ameri-
can artist named Mueller, a soldier of
fortune, who rode with Skobeloff in
the attack on Plevna and who entered
the imperial city with the American
troops at the time of the boxer up
rising of 1900.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-16
JOHN L. SULLIVAN is FIFTY.
Feeling Fine But Prefers Hot Water
to Champagne.

Hot Springs, Ark, Oct. 16.-John L.
Sullivan, hero of the American prize
ring and the most popular man that
ever donned glove in the fistic arena.
celebrated his fiftieth birthday ami
versary Thursday. Last night hundreds
of kilograms of congratulations poured
in, most of them from friends in Bos-
ton, New York and the east and sport
ing men of the west, bearing best
wishes for continued long and happy
life for the Boston boy"
It just answer by saying John L.
feels good, that he appreciates the ex-
pressions of congratulation and that he
is good for almost another fifty" said
Sullivan after finishing his four-round
exhibition with Jake Kilrain.
A banquet has been arranged for the
big fellow. Just cut out the cham
payne and make mine hot water at the
spread" said Sullivan to the banquet
manager.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-16

struction.
What 1 wish to call your attention
to is the fact that our limestone Is
very soft and at best but poor ma
terial for building macadam roads. l
believe that it will answer, however, II
the roads are properly constructed and
properly cared for. The purpose of this
letter is to inquire if you do not think
a campaign of education leading TO
the treatment of our macadum ROADS
by the use of Tarvia, crude oil or some
other suitable dressing, would be pro-
fitable.
Would also like to have the COM
missioners impressed with the necessity
of caring for the roads when once built
and of making proper repairs when
needed
"A macadum road built of the COM
mon limestone of the county can not
be repaired by dumping loose, broken
rocks into the holes made by the traf-
fic. The macadam should be loosened,
the depression filled and moistened and
then thoroughly rolled with a roller
heavy enough to bind the surface and
prevent the wheels from picking up the
loose rocks and dumping them a little
farther along and so increasing the
trouble instead of curing 1t.
IT have taken this matter up with
the good roads committee of the Com
mercial club and We shall hope for
YOUR assistance in the future"