davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
HUMOR OF WITNESS
CONVULS[S COURT
Judge Finally Joins in Laugh
Which Greets Woman's
Rap at Attorney

OAKLAND, April 2S.-A stock of un-
conscious humor possessed by Mrs.
Lizzie Mahen of Roseville broke down
the decorum which prevailed in Judge
Ellsworth's court during the trial of
Robert z. Curtin on a murder charge,
and the jurist himself gave up his
attempts to keep the witness in line
and laughed as heartily as any specta-
tor.
Mrs Mahen testified on direct exam
ination that Curtin had stayed at her
ranch for some months and that from
her observations she believed him men,
tally irresponsible. On cross examina-
tion Mrs. Mahen conceived great dis
like for Assistant District Attorney
Hynes, who conducted the prosecution.
and after a few questions she broke
in by saying:
INFERS HE NEEDS SALT
Il would like to have you on my
ranch for three months. 1 would put
the salt on you" Hynes persisted and
endeavored to show that Curtin's ac-
tions may have resulted from drinking.
but Mrs. Mahen was positive that.
though he went to town once week,
he brought no liquor home with him.
IF he ever had the liquor on his
breath / would smell it out mighty
quick. and he did not have it there"
she asserted. She said it would be
impossible for him to have concealed
Ii in the barn. for her children would
have found it in 10 minutes. Hynes
asked if she ever saw Curtin carrying
anything in his hand when he came
home and she said he always carried
the horsewhip in his hand.
At last Mrs Mahen tired of the in
terminable questioning and exclaimed.
Don't you ever think l wanted to get
into court over this. / was never in
court before, nor my father before me-.
would give 5000 If 1 had kept my
mouth shut and never have told any
man that I knew about Curtin or the
likes of him."
BROTHER TELLS OF SHOT
William Curtin, a Sacramento busi-
nessman, manager of the Sacramento
baseball team brother of the defend
ant, testified that while they were boys
together the defendant had fired a rifle
at him, narrowly missing his head
with the bullet when he was slow
in retrieving a bird which Robert Cur
tin had shot. He said he believed him
insane.
Miss Catherine Mahen was recalled
and on cross examination said that
one of her principal reasons for believ-
ing Curtin insane was that he had pro-
posed marriage to her. She became
confused under the fire of Hynes' ques-
tions and only the constant objections
of Curtins attorneys saved her from
discomfort.
Thomas Donnelly and James F. Mea-
CHER were witnesses who testified that
they had observed peculiar actions on
Curtin's part and believed him insane.
He is being tried for killing John
Titus by shooting him at the front
door of his home.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
SPORTSMAN MISSES
VALET AND MONEY
Charles Clark Asks Police to
Locate Richard Pierson and
$500 Won on Race

OAKLAND, April 2S.-Charles Clark.
English tourist, sportsman and racing
devotee, who lives at the Hotel Met
ropole In this city, complained to the
police this morning that his friend and
valet, Richard Pferson, alias Barthlay,
had betrayed his friendship and dis
appeared yesterday with $500. the pro-
ceeds Of a winning ticket on the races
which Clark had given him to cash.
The betrayal, according TO Clark, oc-
CURED Immediately after the last race.
upon which he had made successful
wager. He asked his friend and valet
to- cash the winning ticket, which
called for $780,
With accommodating dispatch Pier
son took the patseboard and hurried
away in the direction of the ring, while
Clark stood outside, musing compla-
Gently on the advantage of a wise
wager. Presently, however. it occurred
to him that Pierson must have been
detained. Turning toward the ring
Clark found that it was deserted.
Fastening to the outer doors he threw
them aside, expecting to find his
trusted employe awaiting him. But
Pierson was nowhere to be seen.
He must have missed me and be-
lieved that l had decided to go to the
hotel" thought Clark. Doubtless he
is already on his way there" So he
hurried to a car and made his way to
the Metropolis, but no one had seen
Pierson.
He will be here before long" said
Clark. self-assuringly. But evening
came and then night but no Pierson.
trayal and then the police were asked
to join in the search for the erstwhile
trusted friend and valet. He is still
at large.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
SINKS WITH DESTROYER
Engineer Lieutenant Goes Down
With Boat in North Sea

HARWICH, Eng. April 2S--The
British torpedo boat destroyer Gala
was cut in two and sank early today
off Kentish Knock in the North sea
by the scout Attentive.
The torpedo boat destroyer Ribble
also was involved in the collision and
returned to Sheerness with two COM
partments full of water. The flotilla
was engaged in night maneuvers when
the accident occurred.
Engineer Lieutenant Frank A.
Fletcher of the Gala. who was in his
bunk at the point where the destroyer
was struck, went down with the ves-
sci. There was no other loss of life
The destroyer accident today re-
sembles in many respects that which
was met by the torpedo boat destroyer
Tiger, which collided with and was
sunk by the British cruiser Berwick
while engaged in night maneuvers OF
the Isle of Wight April 2. The number
of lives lost on that occasion, however,
was 36.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
.DARGIF'S SANDBAG
SUIT WITHDRAWN
Action to Force Thomas Prather
to Pay $4,000 Suddenly
Taken From Docket

OAKLAND, April 2s.-Bill Dargie's
suit to enforce the payment of $4,000
by Thomas Prather for services said
to have been rendered the Yosemite
Valley railroad was dismissed today.
AS suddenly as this move upon the
Prather strongbox was made the ac-
tion was stopped. The world will never
know so far as this litigation was
concerned what were the services
which Dargie of the grating Tribune
did render or could render to Thomas
Prather's railroadp projects which made
the work worth double the amount for
which Dargie sued. The public will
never know how Dargie was induced
TO dismiss the suit-but the public
he began the suit and why he called
it of.
BASED ON CONTRACT
Dargie based his complaint upon an
alleged contract by which he was to
receive from Prather the equivalent
of $780, in stocks and bonds of the
Yosemite Valley railroad and the Mer-
ced River electric company for Hserv-
ices performed" in behalf of those cor
porations Dargie admitted having re-
ceived $4,000 on account, but he as
serted that the balance was unpaid. In
his complaint Dargie did not specify
the nature of the services performed
BOASTS OF TRICKERY
In days gone by Dargie has told
with great gusto how he went to
Washington and turned some clever
tricks in behalf of the Yosemite VAL
ley railroad the results of which were
essential to the success of the enter
prise. Dargie has not hesitated to
brag about this alleged service. His
tales of influence could not have
failed to reach Prather's ears and, no
doubt, the ears of some of Prather's S
associates.
These averred services" were rem
sdered about three years ago. Dargie
made no homes about forcing the issue
with Prather when the time came. AS
far as the record of the superior court
Of Alameda county goes Prather threw
up his hands. No one connected with
the suddenly ended contest would make
any explanation except to say that the
controversy had been adjusted
George W. Reed, an attorney, was
credited with being the intermediary.
He said:
Both sides talked with me and a
settlement was arranged on basis
satisfactory to each of the interested
parties
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
CHARGES COMBINE
BY PAPER MAKERS

E WASHINGTON, April 2S.-Before the
select committee of the house, which
is Investigating the subject OF the
tariff on wood pulp as affecting the
price of news print paper, and also
whether there is combination of pa
per makers in restraint of trade. John
H. Norris. representing the paper COM
mittee Of the American newspaper as
sociation, today submitted further evil
dence. in support Of the associations
charges that such a combination exists,
and that the price Of paper has been
arbitrarily raised.
He refuted the contention of the
manufacturers that this increase in
price had been partially due to higher
freight rates, and submitted a COM
munication from the interstate COM
merce commission showing the freight
rates from the principal mills to the
larger consuming points. from which it
appeared that with one or two excep-
tions there had been no increase for
several years, and in two instances the
statement showed a reduction in rates.
Members of the committee asked Nor
ris many questions about the closing
OF Canadian mills Mann remarked
that 1t seemed rather strange that
with the great advance in the price of
paper and the opportunity of the
Canadian mills to furnish paper at the
high price they would be compelled to
close at this time because they could
not be operated proftably. He thought
the publishers association should seize
the opportunity to acquire the mills.
To that suggestion Norris replied
that his association received on an
average three propositions a week, con-
tanning opportunities for location of
news print paper mills in Canada with
limitless timber tracts and numerous
power sites, He said that one con-
sular report showed that in the prov
ince Of Quebec there were $4,000. 600
cords of wood pulp timber, enough to
keep the United States in spruce wood
for all its paper manufacture for over
200 years, If there was not a particle
of reproduction in other Candian for
ests"
You don't share in the views OF Mr..
Pinchot. the chief forester" said
Mann, that the enormous consumption
of print paper and wood pulp is go
ing to, deplete all the forests in North
America within the next or 10 years. .
Norris replied that the chairman was
anticipating a branch of the subject
to which he would give special atten-
tion.t
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
ALAMEDA TO HAVE
COMMERCE CHAMBER
Fifty Thousand Club Win Re-
organize at First Annual
Banquet Thursday

ALAMEDA, April 2s.-With the
growth of its plane of usefulness and
it's acknowledged importance in pro-
noting the welfare OF Alameda, the
Fifty Thousand club will reorganize
as the Alameda chamber OF commerce.
The Transformation will be effected
at the first annual banquet OF the club
on Thursday night The good work
of the organization in advancing the
interests of this city has long been
apparent and the results OF its ef-
forts to put the advantages of the
community before the outside world
are evidenced in the increasing num-
ber of persons who are taking up
their residence in Alameda and whose
attention was first attracted to this
city through the medium OF the Fifty
Thousand club.
The officers of the club, who will
of commerce, are all representative
business men who have managed TO
take time from their own personal
affairs to look after the interests OF
the city at large.
These officers are: President, William
]. Hammond Jr.; vice presidents, Frank
Otis and DIR. f. w. d'Eyelyn; secre-
tary, Ralph "A Russell; treasurer,
Captain j. S. HanIey; directors-Hugh
C. Gallagher, S. Z. Biddle Jr.. ]. Sher-
man Mcdowell. L. w. McGlaufiin, z.
NJ. Shaw. Charles Wehn. A. L Latham.
f. S. Kelly. Charles Banta, r. G. ST.
Sure. w. w. Cooley. J. e Baker.
George E. Plummer. Emory o. Tuttle.
At the banquet Thursday night the
introductory address will be made by
President William Hammond Jr. DR..
F. NJ. d d'Eyelyn will officiate as toast
master. Among the speakers on the
program are Frank j. Symmes OF the
San Francisco merchants exchange.
DR.. Clarence Edwords OF the California
Promotion committee. Division Super
intendent w. r. Scott of the Southern
Pacific company. Mayor E. K. Taylor
and Superior Judge II. A. Melvin OF
the Alameda county bench.
Among the special guests will be
superintendent W. S. Palmer OF the
California and Northwestern railway,
James Woods of the ST. Francis hotel
of San Francisco. and Nelson c.
Hawks of the Alameda Improvement
club. The set topics for discussion will
be Home Life in Alameda" Links of
Union Between Alameda and Oakland -
"A Merchants Place and Power in the
Community" San Franciscos debt to
the Commuters" and Transit Possibili-
ties in Alameda"
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
CALIFORNIA WANTS MORE

WASHINGTON, April 2S.-California
senators and representatives have con-
siderable work cut out for them in the
way of securing amendments to the
sundry civil bill. In addition to the
Yosemite item, Needham wants a con-
tinuation of the investigation of water
sources of the United States for which
he will ask $4,000. The senators are
offering amendments preparatory to
having them considered by the COM
nlittee when the bill arrives there.
Perkins wants $50, 900 for light and
fog signal at Punta Gorda. 100000 for
enlarging the lighthouse depot at Yerba
Buena. $4,000 for fog and light station
at San Pedro and $215,000 for tender
for the lighthouse inspector of the
twelfth lighthouse district. Senator
Flint will ask for an appropriation of
$4,000 to provide for a launch for the
customs district at Los Angeles and
will also take up other items in case
the house fails to place them In the
bill
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29

BERKELEY, April 2s.-Able argu-
ments for the bonds which will be
voted upon tomorrow for the acquire
nent Of parks and an incinerator site
made by prominent citizens tonight
found favor with the citizens OF South
Berkeley, gathered in mass meeting
in Lincoln hall. An enthusiastic
which We're present the town board OF
trustees, who had adjourned their
meeting early to attend the rally fol
the bonds.
Dr. Hubert y. Rowelb a prominent
physician Of South Berkeley. presided
Speeches were made by President G
B. OcheItree Of the chamber OF COM
merce, Percy w. Rochester. B. T
Brooks, Trustees Fred Connor and l.
Favor and Charles Spear, former presi-
dent Of the state harbor commission
The necessity OF the purchase of the
park sites and an incinerator was the
keynote Of the speeches.
ARGUES FOR FAIRGROUNDS.
President Ocheltree said that the
physical child should be developed in
order that the mind of the child should
fulfill its functions. He argued that
for the perfection Of the physical boy
q playground was necessary. The ideal
site offered in the old Indian burial
grounds. he said, was the most fitting
place for a public park for Berkeley
- Trustees Connor ana Favor pointed
out the garbage. troubles Of the last
two months as an argument IN favor
OF the bonding Of the town for tbs
purchase Of a site on which to efee'
an iflcinerating plant W
The garbage has TO be disposed of,
said Connor. The trustees have done
all in their power toward providing
the people with q dumping ground fol
Berkeley's refuse matter. Now the
people should provide place for the
permanent disposal Of the garbage by
voting money with which an incinera-
tor can be built." =
GOOD TINE TO. BUY
Spear in discussing the bonds from
an. economic standpoint, said that the
town would make a. good stroke as q
business proposition in buying the
property known as the old Indian
burial grounds as a park proposition
IN the last 2T years while I have
been a resident OF this city, said Spear
the assessed valuation of property In
Berkeley has increased from 100000
TO S27. 100000 and the population from
about $500 to $4,000.
Now is. the time for the purchase Of
land by the city before realty values
become higher. Berkeley will have the
same experience as the people of Oak.
land did in the purchase of Adams
point"
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
REAGAN AS BLACK AS
PAINTED, DECIDES JURY

SAN RAFAEL April 27.-Ex-Po
Commissioners Thomas Reagan lost his
suit against the San Francisco news
company this evening, when the jury
returned verdict in favor of the de-
fendant. Reagan sued to recover on
personal damages, alleging that the
news company had sold magazines in
which were published stories detri-
mental to his character. Reagan claimed
that the magazine stories charged him
with bribery and with being concerned
in many shady transactions while he
was a police commissioner. Fremont
Older, editor Of the Bulletin, which pub
lished the stories, was the principal
witness for the defense, while John S.
Partridge and w. Sullivan testified for
Reagan. The jury stood IL to 1 for the
defendant.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
BOARD SMELLS RAT
IN SEWER SCHEME

LODI, April 2S.-Eyidence that this
city did not receive a fair deal when
the plans for the light, water and sew
age systems were filed with the board
of trustees came to light last night at
the first meeting of the reelected board.
Several weeks ago a bond election was
called, the vote to be taken Monday.
Plans and specifications were asked
from Engineer H. H. Henderson of
Stockton, who was employed by the
city. The plans were filed. but no spec
ifications were given.
The board accepted the plans and
only last night did it dawn upon them
that there might be something queer
about the deal Certain portions of
the city were favored with sewer
mains and other portions of the city left
out of the plans entirely. A6-inch main
was plated for eight blocks of an un-
settled tract with fire mains on each
corner. For the main business street
of the city a 4-inch main was plated
and in one of the most densely popu-
lated sections no provision had been
made for sewers or lights.
Chairman Lawrence of the board up
held the trustees in their acceptance OF
the plans as presented to them and
said all these matters would be ex-
planned by the engineer. A mass meet
ing has been called for Thursday night,
when Henderson is expected to be pres
ent. Henderson said today he would
endeavor to explain everything in con-
nection with the matter.
Public sentiment is much against
the bonding proposition as now pre-
sented to the voters. 1t Is rumored that
Henderson was working in the interest
of a firm of Stockton real estate men
who own the Barnhart tract. 1t is
probable that the election will be
called off after the mass meeting
Thursday night and the matter will be
presented to the people in better shape
later.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
DELEGATES ARE NAMED
Santa Rosa Republicans Choose
Convention Representative

SANTA ROSA, April 2S.-The repub-
lican primary election for delegates to
the county convention here today
passed off quietly with the exception
of the tenth district, where q deter
mined onslaught was made on Allen
B. Lennon and J. M. Thompson, the
regular caucus candidates. DR.. S. S.
Boyle, division surgeon of the Southern
Pacific, defeated Thompson by a mar
row margin and Walter +. Price, sec
retary of the state board of exam
iners, lost to Lennon by a narrow
margin. Two years ago Price con-
tested the regular republican nominee
for county delegate to the state con-
vention and won, but this year his at
tack was centered against Lennon
and was futile.
The expression of choice for presi-
dent showed that half of the voters
were in favor of Roosevelt, who re-
ceived 81 votes. as against 81 for Taft
and for Hughes
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
ADVOCATE VOTING
BERKELEY BONDS
Leading Citizens Urge Necessity
of Parks and IncineratOr
at Mass Meeting


To the voters Of Berkeley
Every American citizen who
has the right of franchise should
vste at elections.
Every Berkeley citizen who has
The right of franchise should vote
on April IS.
Every san Francisco business
man who is registered in Berkeley
should vote ON April 20.
Every voter who believes in
cleanliness, beauty, progress. and
Improvement should vote for the
bond issue.
Every voter who enjoys the
trees, fresh air, green hills and
Gods warm sunlight should vote
for the park bonds.
Every voter who believes in the
dtsintegratiOn. of offensive mat
ter IN preference to the odors and
noxiOus. gases which are gen.
Grated on a garbage dump should
vote the ineineratOr bonds.
Every citizen, no. matter what
his prejudiees are, shouId vote on
April -.
CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE,
BERKELEY CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE..
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
BOND ELECTION TO-DAY
Berkeley Asked to Vote for
Park and Incinerator

BERKELEY, April .2s.-With the in
dorsement of the chamber of COM
merce and other civic and social or
ganizations the bond call for 1896, 900
for parks and incinerator will be
brought before the voters OF this city
at the polls tomorrow. If the bonds
carry .Se5 600 will be used for the pur-
chase of an incinerator and site, while
SIS 900 viii be used for the purchase
of rhe old Indian burial grounds as a
public park and $4,000 for the pur-
chase of two blocks as public park in
West Berkeley.
The moderator site has already been
selected and consists Of seven acres OF
land owned by George Schmidt and
Mrs. J. Y. Mendenhall at the foot of
Harrison street The land is admir-
ably suited for the purpose and is
large enough for a public pound and
corporation yards as well.
The people Of West Berkeley are ex-
tremely gratified that playground
nay be located in their vicinity. The
site selected by the trustees on which
the voters viii cast their ballot tomor-
row is two blocks of land at Hopkins
Tenth and Ninth streets in West
Berkeley. The land is adapted for the
use q a playground and park
~ The old Indian burial grounds north
OF this city provided for in the call is
one Of the most beautiful garden spots
in the county. 1t consists of a tract
Of s6 acres covered with unique rocks
and oaks A creek flows through the
property. which has long been used by
the people of this city as park
At the eleventh hour the consensus
OF opinion of the citizens is that the
bonds win carry though a large affirm
ative vote is necessary 10 make the nec-
essary two-thirds majority. The prom
.nent men IN this city who have
worked and favored the bonds is an in
dication CT the strength OF the pro-
gressive party which. headed by the
chamber Of commerce, has made a cam
paign for the bonds.
The clubwomen. under the lead O,
Mrs Elinor Carlisle and Mrs. c. C
hall. have been energetic in their ac-
tivity for the bonds. All the clubwo-
men have been mailed circulars telling
OF the provisions OF the bond call and
in almost every instance the support OF
the cldowomen has been unqualifedly
in favor OF the proposed city improve
snents
AThe voting places at the bond elec-
ton tomorrow follow:
4rirst preclnct-First and second precincts OF
fbe first ward. Polling place. North Berkeley
firehouse o. west side Of Shattuck avenue be-
tween Vine and Rose streets.
Second precinct-Third and fourth precincts OF
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
PRESIDENT is PRAISED
Latest Message AppIauded by
CongreSsmeu

WASHINGTON, April 2S.-Ostensibly
considering the sundry civil appropria-
tion bill, the house devoted most OF its
time today TO speeches covering a wide
range of subjects and concluded. the
session by giving an attentive hearing
to the presidents special message.
When the portion of the message refer
ring to the multimillionaire whose son
is fool and his daughter a foreign
princess" was reached there was a
storm of applause equally prominent
on both sides of the house
Predicting that Roosevelt policies
would prevail at the next national re-
publican convention. Madison Of Kan
sas paid a glowing tribute to the presi
dent, declaring that his forestry
achievements alone had realized ''the
dream of the age"