davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
NEWS OF THE FOUR COUNTIES BORDERING SAN FRANCISCO BAY
INSANE If GUILTY,
MRS. MARTINS PLEA
Attorney Frick Raises Question
of Diseased Mind in Adj
dress to Jury

OAKLAND. Dec. 10.-Insanity cropped
out in the defense of Isabella j. Mar
tin today. though kept out OF sight
until Attorney A. L. Frick had COM
menced his argument TO the jury IN
her behalf
In the opening of his talk Frick
asked whether the jury could regard
her as a sane woman il the acts with
which she has been charged were
proved beyond doubt. He referred to
numerous plots against individuals, in
Guiding the use of dynamite. poison and
fire. which her foster son, BABY John
Martin. made public in his confession,
and repeated as a witness against Mrs.
Martin The charge involved in the
present trial is the dynamiting OF
Judge Ogden's house.
No word of the insanity defense
was given until today. when Frick
asked if the jurors could believe that
a sane person had committed the
crimes mentioned by Baby John"
Assistant District Attorney Hynes,
who prosecuted the case. said that he
had looked for an insanity defense
throughout, but believed that Mrs.
Martin has refused her sanction.
Frick devoted much time to arguing
that the boy was an accomplice in
stead of tool acting under fear Of
his life.
Hynes will argue tomorrow and the
case may be submitted TO the jury be-
fore night.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
DOCTOR KILLED BY
INFURIATED RIVAL
DIR. A. B. Pitts Shot Down by
DIR. T. j. Birds0ng After
WOrdy War
Prominent Practitioner COM
planned to Landlord About
His Fellow Tenant
Especial Dispatch to The CALL

HAZELHURST. Miss. Dec. 1O.-Dr- a.
B Pitts one or the most prominent
medical practitioners, was shot and
killed in his Office at $50 o'clock thfs
afternoon by De T. j. Birdsong. rival
practitioner, who had his ONCE across
the hall in the same building.
It seems that DIT. Pitts had nottned
the owner Of the building that on ac-
count of Dr. Birdsong's boisterous con-
duct when he was intoxicated and the
companions he brought 10 his ofhces
which interfered with the visitors 10
DR.. Pitts Office. that one or the other
would have to go.
The landlord laid the complaint be-
fore Birds0ng. who this afternoon
called on Pitts. and a wordy alterea-
tion followed.
DR.. BirdsOng walked away down the
hall a few steps and returned with his
pistol in hand. forced his way into
Pitts office and fired several shots az
him, killing him instantly He was
under the influence OF liquor at the
time He was arrested and charged
with murder.
DR.. Birdsong is a brother Of DR.. J. ;.
Birdsong. whose young wife. Mrs An
gle BirdsOng. former United States
Senator McLaurin's niece, shot and
killed DR.. Tom Butler AT Monticello
Miss, few years ago, alleging he had
slandered her.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
MRS. SAGE OPPOSED
BY HATCH'S LAWYER
Aged Complainant Questioned
as to Amounts of Alleged
Embezzlemeut
Especial Dispatch to The calll

SAN JOSE Dec 10.-The most spec
tacular event in the trial of Jackson
Hatch for felony embezzlement oc-
Cured this afternoon when Mrs. Sarah
E. Sage, the complaining witness, was
assisted to the stand and cross exam
ined by Walter Linforth of san Fran
cisco, of counsel for the defendant
A fashionable audience gathered to
hear the proceedings and the stylishly
garbed group surrounding the defend
ant inside of the railing was the cyno-
sure of all eyes The group included
Mrs. Hatch, her daughter in law,
daughter and son.
Mrs. Sage venerable in her widows
weeds and accompanied by her son.
L. a. Sage. furnished striking con-
trast to the members of the other
group.
Presenting the peoples exhibits to
the witness one after another, Attorney
Linforth persistently piled the aged
woman with questions which were as
insistently objected to by the prosecut-
ing attorneys, who were in most cases
sustained by the court.
The examination was an effort on the
part of the defense to get Mrs. Sage
to indicate by reference TO his state
ments of accounts the exact amounts
she said Hatch had embezzled.
Linforth repeated his questioning In
the fact of adverse rulings, with an
evident desire to impress on the jurors
the Importance of Mrs. Sage's inability
to name specific amounts alleged to
have been misappropriated and to con-
vince them that if no particular items
could be named an embezzlement could
not have been committed.
Objections We're made by the defend
ants counsel to the introduction of
such papers as related to property and
not to money, the embezzlement of
money alone, they said, being the
charge under the Indictment. The
papers were admitted The case was
continued to Monday.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
PRIVATE CUTS HIS
THROAT ON TRANSPORT
Carl Herbster of Hospital
Corps Found Bleeding to
Death in LaVatory

Carl Herbster, a first class private in
the hospital corps, attempted to commit
suicide early yesterday morning on
board the army transport Thomas
shortly before the vessel reached port.
He left the deck when land was sighted
and was found a few minutes later
in the hospital lavatory with his
throat cut from ear to ear.
DIR. NJ. A. Reasoner. the transport
surgeon. did what he could for the
injured man, but as he lost much blood,
little hope is entertained for his re-
covery. When the transport had passed
quarantine Herbster was removed in a
tug to the Presidio hospital.
Herbster's comrades could assign no
reason for his act. He was sober, saw
was good and when last seen he ap-
peared TO be perfectly normal
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
FAVOR CONSERVATION
OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Thirty Governors Approve Plan
to Insure Proper Timber
Cuffiup

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-Prophetic of
far reaching results growing out of the
joint conservation conference is a re-
port drafted today by more than 80 gov
ernors. approving the principle of CO.
operation in the conservation of the
country's natural resources and en-
phasizing the Importance of such CO.
operation to the end that prosperity
and perpetuity of the nation may be
assured.
The conference approved the disposal
of mineral rights by lease only and the
disposal of timber rights only under
conditions insuring proper cutting and
logging.
The policies on which particular en-
phasis was laid were:
That all uses of the waters and all
portions of each waterway shall be
treated as interrelated; legislation for
the development of waters for naviga
ton, water supply and other interstate
uses, preferably by federal appropria-
tion. otherwise by issue of bonds; more
scientific research as to the extent of
the nations resources; the maintenance
of a national conservation commission
empowered to cooperate with state
commissions
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
TO SUE FOR
TRINITY CHURCH ESTATE
Mrs. Catherine Alger of Saw
teIle Joins in Claim Based
on Ancient Deed
Especial Dispatch to The Call


LOS ANGELES. Dec. 10.-Heir as she
believes to a little less than one-twen-
tieth of the Trinity Episcopal church
property in New York, estimated to be
worth $1,000, ,O00,0 900, Mrs. Catherine
Alger of Sawtelle has joined with %
other claimants in fight for the rich
estate.
Mrs. Alger is 80 years old and looks
for no settlement In her lifetime, but
her son, John David Alser, at the Pre-
sidio, and two nephews, Earle Van Ant
werp of Santa Rosa and George Van
Antwerp of Medford. Ore. are among
her next of kin and would profit should
her claim prove well founded.
1t is reported that the deed to the
valuable New York property, resting
with David Janse Van Antwerp, great
grandfather of Mrs. Alger, and dating
back to the seventeenth century, has
Just been found In Holland. Albert Lea
of Philadelphia, who recently married
a niece of Mrs. Alger, has taken charge
of the family claims and is certain they
are valid.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
GREAT DREDGERS TO BE
USED ON ALASKAN RIVER
American Company, Capitalized
at $10,000,0O0, to Operate
in Yukon Territory

DAWSON, Y. T.. Dec. 10.-Official In
formation has been received here of
the registration at Ottawa Can, of a
new $I0,000.0 900 American company to
operate hydraulics and dredges at the
head of the Stewart river
The concern is the Stewart River
gold dredging company, limited and
lean and Canadian capital is COM
bined to harness one of the immense
water sources at the head of the river,
which will aggregate 10000 horse
power. Also they will erect one big
American dredge next summer.
Another concern. also largely Amer
ican, the Yukon Basin gold dredging
company, limited. which is operating in
that district, will erect two of the
largest dredgers in the world the COM
ing summer. Contracts are let and
arrangements made for bringing the
great machines over the passes
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
PALO ALTo NATIVES BANQUEr

PALO ALTO, Dec l0.-The sixth an
niversary of the foundation of the
local parlOr of Native SoRs was cele-
brated with an elaborate banquet last
evening at Fraternity hall. at which
the members of the two football teams
that played for the benefit of the flag
pole fund on Thanksgiving day were
entertained as the guests of honor. F.
A Hettinger. who Interested himself
greatly in the monster fiagpOle pre-
sented to the city by the local pariOr.
was the recipient of a handsome pin
of the order on behalf of the members
Albert Lund acted as tOas stmaster at
the banquet. toastS being responded to
by c. H. Jordan, E r. Weisshaar OS-
car Riehl. F. A. Stuart. F. P CasheI
Howard Noble. w. McL.achlan Max Ish
and E. A. Hettinger.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
NEW JUSTICE APPOINTED
DESPITE AN INJUNCTION
George Lowens of Colnra Seeks
to Prevent Increase of
County Salaries

REDWOOD CITY. Dec. 10.-The
board of supervisors has been sued by
George Lowens of Colma. who seeks to
prevent any appointment of a constable
or Justice of peace in the first, secono
or third townships.
Believing that the supervisors in
tended 10 add a humber of county of
hcials TO the salary expense roll be-
fore their retirement from office Janu-
airy 4, Lowens had the papers served at
last Mondays meeting. The notice re-
quired the members of the board to
appear in the superior court December
II and show cause why a permanent
injunction should not issue.
Notwithstanding the notice that
was served on them, the board of su-
pervfsors received the resignation or
e. A. Carson. justice of peace in the
second township, and appointed w. G.
Loveland in his stead
The question as to whether the board
was not in contempt of court by this
action, although the number of JUS
tices in the county was not increased
will be settled at the injunction hear
ing.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
MRS. SARAH MAGEE DIES
AFTER A SHORT ILLNESS
San Rafael Pioneer SuccumbS
to Pneumonia in Hospital
of Home CITY

SAN RAFAEL. Dec. 1o.-Mrs. Sarah
Magee. widow OF Captain George Ma
gee, and one of san F'rancisco's pio-
neers, died today in the Cottage hos
pital at San Rafael after suffering two
weeks from pneumonia.
Mrs Magee was 70 years old She
leaves two sons and one daughter. Her
only child in California Is William Ma
gee. justice OF peace for San Rafael
Mrs Magee came around the Horn
and landed in San Francisco in 1852.
She was married 20 Captain George
Magee in 1856 They took up their
residence at San Rafael where Mrs
Magee has resided ever since.
The funeral Will take place Saturday
from the Catholic church and the body
will be inferred at the Catholic eeme-
terry.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
READY TO QUIT SEARCH
FOR CHIEF BIGGY'S BODY
Police, Discouraged by Contin-
ued Disappointment. Will
Give UD Today

The search for Chief Of Police Biggy's
body is still being kept up but as the
days go by hope of finding it decreases.
Word was received yesterday from sew
eral sources that the body of a man
wearing an overcoat was floating In the
vicinity of the Alameda mole.
The police launch Patrol and half a
dozen private launches took up the
search, but on reaching the other side
they discovered that the supposed body
was a big seal taking a sun bath If
the body is not found today the search
will be abandoned.
There was more than an hour of ebb
tide after Biggy disappeared from the
launch, and at the time those who know
the bay best declared that the current
had carried the body out to sea and
that it would never be found
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
WARD SHAFT IS PUMPED
DRY ON COMSTOCK LODE
Large Shifts of Men Put to
Work to Cause Return
of Boom
Especial Dispatch to The Can

RENO. New. Dec. 10--Every miner
on the Comstock lode at Virginia City
is filed with excitement tonight over
the fact that the Ward shaft on the
lode has been pumped dry
The Ward shaft is $500 feet deep and
was Ised for a pumping shaft TO drain
all the other mines. In 1882 the flow
of water became too much for the IS
Cornish pumps, and the shaft filled with
water and made IL impossible fer the
big mine owners to continue operations.
For 16 years the engineering feat OF
draining the shaft has baffled all. but
recently the large pump has gradually
decreased the level or the water and is
now able to handle all OF the flow
Large shifts of men have been put to
work and return Of the old boom days
on the COmstOck is confidently expected.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
WOMEN CLASH WITH
TOWN HEALTH OFFICER
Obdurate Official Will Enforce
CesspooI Law Despite De-
fiance of Femininify

SAN ANSELAlO. Dec. 10.-The indig-
nation of the Women's Improvement
club for the Bush tract has been
aroused to fever heat by Town Health
officer ". J. Chipmsn. who announced
today that he would swear to COM
plants for the arrest of all those who
do not abide by the recent ruling Of the
Town trustees and connect their sewers
with the enlarged cesspools with which
the district is provided.
The cesspool vs.. the septic tank has
been the momentOus discussion for the
Bush tract residents for some time.
Both the masculine and feminine por-
ton Of the tract Were strongly opposed
to the cesspoOls and all stood together
for the septic tank.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
TO BE ORDAINED SUNDAY

PALO ALTO, Dec. 10.-Hugh A. Mo-
ran, athlete, Rhodes scholar and grad
uate of Stanford with the class of 1906
will be ordained as minister of the
PRESBYTERIAN church next Sunday morn
ing. Among the members of the clergy
that will be present at the exercises
which will be held in the local church.
are Rev. James FaIconer, moderator of
the presbytery; Rev. J. w. Dinsmore,
and Rev. D. Charles Gardner. In Feb
rsIarv Moran will sail for China, where
he will take up missionary work among
the students under the auspices of the
college branch of the Young Mems
Christian association.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
YOUNG SANTA ROSA MEN
ACCUSED OF BURGLARY
They Are Under Arrest on the
Charge of Breaking Into
a Winery
Ispecial Dispatch to The Cali

CLONERDALE. Dec. 10-Deputy
Sheriff J. ". orr captured today a gang
Of nine young men of this section who
are charged with having broken into
and robbed the local winery on num-
her Of occasions recently. The first
time a side door to the winery was
broken open TO gain admittance, and
after that a key was stolen from an
emploEe Of the place by his son. and
entrance was easily accomplished
thereafter whenever the group desired
any wine.
The men under arrest are John HiX-
son. Claude Barnes, Louis CaValli, VIII
liam WhftloW. Henry Schafer Daniel
Brunay. Antone Roger. Harvey Brad
. shaw and Austin Otiu. Only four of
fhe nine are in jail as that is ali the
local jail viii hold. but the others are
under surveillance. and all will appear
for examination Friday morning before
The local justice at 1880. Cavalh is
the one who secured the key 10 the
door from his father.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
SEATTLE MAN LEASES LOT
FOR BUILDING DOWNTOWN
Four Story Structure to Be
Erected at Geary Street
and Grant Avenue

A handsome four story building is
TO be erected on the northwest corner
or Geary street and Grant avenue a
lease of the ground having been taken
by L. Spence from P. Marsicano
1t is understood that the lease is
for so years, at $4,000 a year net TO
the owner The most interesting part
of this transaction is that the lessee
Is Seattle man. who shows his faith
In San Francisco by leasing and build
ing.
The lot is 40x5O and the plans for
the building are already in the hands
of an architect
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
.GEp MAN FOUND STARVING

HAYWARD. Dec. 10.-Nels Gier, an
aged man living alone on farm in
Castro valley, was found today by A.
p Phisen in a destitute and dying
Gier suffered from lack Of
food and after becoming i'll is thought
to have been too weak to walk for
aid. DR.. Galbraith was summoned by
Phisen. but it is feared medical aid
will not save the old mans life.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
JOHN ID. TELLS WAITER
TO BANK 5 CENT TIP
Standard Oil Magnate Says He
Did That With Spare Cash
When He Was Young

NEW BRUNSWICK, \. J., Dec. 10
John D. Rockefeller. in giving a waiter
cent tip here Tuesday. advised him
TO put 1t in a savings bank
That's what I did with my spare
cash when 7 was your age" the oil
man is quoted as saying. "and it earned
money for me-
Members Of the 3Tiddlesex county
grand jury We're in the dining room
when Rockefeller was eating. and after
he had finished he cracked jokes with
the crowd.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
PENINSULA CLUB's DTREcroRs

I'ALO ALTO. Dec. I0--At the annual
meeting Of the. Peninsula club held last
night FIVE new directors were elected.
those chosen being Gustav Laumeister,
3 j. Morris Robert II. Lee. W. s. Penn :
berton and g. H. Dowling. the four
HoIdOxers being A. 3. de Forest A. A.
Baxter, r. @. Guyett and ". G. Thoits.
Walter Rogers was chosen as secre-
tary Of the club. and Eli King treas
ufer The anniversary of the club
which consists Of All the prominent
businessmen Of this city. viii be cele-
hrated in an elaborate manner shortly.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
BANK PRESIDENT STILL MISSING

NEW YORK. Dec. 10.-Thonaas f..
GiIroy Jr., the receiver of the Fidelity
banking company received no word to-
day of the whereabouts of the former
and Bainbridge Colby, counsel for
Kferan, had nothing to say about his
clients movements Eight local banks
the financial difficulties of Kieran to
the extent of more than $1,250 O0O
buildings were badly damaged.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
WANT CAR FARE REDUCED

HAYWARD. Dec. 10.-Petitions will
be sent from this place to the Oakland
traction company asking for reduc-
tion in the fare between Hayward
and Oakland as well as for general
improvements in the equipment and
service. The petitions are signed by
many of the residents. They set forth
that when the trustees gave the COM
pany a double track franchise through
the town the company promised TO
make the improvements sought.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
KING EDWARD HAS SLIGHT COLD

LONDON, Dec 10.=In view of the
disquieting rumors abroad. the Lancet
is authorized to state that the health of
King Edward gives no cause for anx-
iety The king contracted a slight
cold but he improved under treatment
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
FACE GOVERNOR ELECT
WITH SERIOUS CHARGE
Successful Connecticut Candi-
date, LiIley, Said to Have Vio-
lated Corrupt Practice Law

NEW HAVEN, Conn.,, Dec. 10.-Gov-
ernor Elect LiIley has been subpenaed
to answer the complaint that in the
recent ante election campaign here by
himself or through a financial agent
he violated the corrupt practices law.
The complaint alleges that Lilley
or his agent, Colonel Ullman, distrib-
uted money through saloon keepers in
Waterbury for the purpose of treating
electors on election day and also placed
considerable sums with individuals in
social clubs for treating" purposes.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
BOXING IN INDIANAPOLIS
Special Dispatch to The Call

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind, Dec. 1O.-AII
plans have been completed TO tilt the
boxing lid in Indianapolis next month.
is being arranged for the entertain
ment of the coal miners who will be
here to attend their national conyen-
ton. Everett McGinnis of the typo
graphical union, is now arranging the
card.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
GIRLS FORM NEW
TRI-DELTA CHAPTER
Goods OF Montiesta Club Join
Exclusive University
Sorority
No MatrieuIaiion Examinations
Will Be Held at Stanford
This Semester

STANFORD UNIVERSITY, Dec. 10
Another sorority has been added to
the lists of exclusive Greek letter So
cieties at Stanford university. Word
was given out today that a local chap
ter of the national Delta Delta Delta
sorority, better known to co1legians as
Tri-Delta, would be installed here next
semester. The Montiesta club, one OF
the best known of the campus clubs OF
the women students. is the organization
to receive the sorority chapter.
The Montiesta girls have given out
official notification of the approaching
installation, which will come in Janu-
ary. The Montiesta club women are
well known in local circles. The list
of membership includes the names of
Miss Effie Gillett and Ethel Giliett. the
two daughters of Governor Gillett.
The girls who will be initiated into
the Delta Delta Delta upon the in
stallation of the chapter are as fol-
lows: Miss Myrtle Annick, Miss Hazel
Finder. Miss Ruth Blodgett. Miss Sara
Mckinley, Miss Katherine Acheson,
Miss zayda Boutwell,, Miss Edith Law
son. Miss Maude Miller and Miss Gene
We've Beckwith.
For the first time no matrieulation
cAdH1IHdllOn VIII De nelQ al
university at the opening of the spring
semester. This was announced today
by the faculty committee on admission
and advanced standing, of which DR..
o. L. Elliott, the university registrar, is
chairman This action is explained by
the statement that practically year
ago a ruling was made by the faculty
to this effect, which was to date from
the approaching examination time.
According to the faculty statement
it appears that the only freshmen who
enter the university will be those who
have satisfactorily completed their
matriculation requirements before ap-
plying for permission 10 register. The
local faculty has agreed to consider
units passed by the matriculation ex-
aminations at the, University OF Call
fornia as satisfactory here and the
credits can be transferred.
number OF students of Stanford
university, who are at present taking
work, may be denied the right to re-
register when they return from their
Christmas vacations. The faculty COM
mittee on public health has found that
of the several hundred undergraduates
who were unvaccinated or unaccounted
for more than a score have made no
attempt to be vaccinated or let DR..
Snow, the chairman of the committee
know of their status.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
woRLp,s FAIR IN pANAMA

PANAMA, Dec. 1O.-Steps are being
taken looking to the organization of an
association for the purpose of com
memorating the opening of the Panama
canal in 1915. 1t is proposed to hold
a worlds fair here.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
HIDGET EoR AI1srpr.

VIENNA. Dec. 10.-The Austrian bud
get for 1909 was introduced in parlia-
ment today. For military armaments it
asks for 5000, 900. which is only
$1,000 600 in excess of the sum expended
IN 1900.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
STORE is ROBBED

SALINAS. Dec. 10.-Burglars broke
into the store of the A. Widemann
company at Gonzales last night and
stole an assortment of knives. pistols.
watches and other small articles valued
at several hundred dollars.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
Says Charge Is Absurd

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-'It is ridic-
ulous for me to make a reply to this
charge, declared Colonel T. N Ull-
man of New Haven when his attention
was called here today to the allegation
that he had distributed money for
treating voters
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
pALo ALTO FIRE DEPARTMENT REoR-

cANIzED-Palo Alto, Dec. 10.-A reorcaniza-
fion OF the city fire department wss effected
last night when the annual election Of the de-.
partment was held. The following officers were
chosen: James McI.achIaB. PRESIDENT e. c.
Field gr vice president; Charles Brown secre-
tarv: c. H. Jordan. chief Harry yandervoorf
first assistant: G.. " Harms. second assistant:
E. r. welsshaar. steward and IRE marshal.
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
EARTH SHOCKS CAUSE PANIC

MESSINA. Dec. 1o-Severe earth
shocks at Mount Albano today caused
q panic. The church and number OF
The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11

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