davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
CHURCHWOMENHO[D
A NAVAL CARNIVAL
Opening Ceremony Set for This
Evening in Wendte Hall
of Unitarian Church

OAKLAND, April 2s.-Representa-
tion Of ships OF the United States navy.
England, Russia, France, japan. Spain
and Germany are grouped about the
.'californis" In wendte hall OF the
Unitarian church awaiting the cere-
monies which will open the naval
carnival which has been arranged for
this evening and Saturday afternoon
and evening by the associated societies
Of the church. including the Woman's
Alliance. Starr King Fraternity and
Unity club. Each ship has its full
complement OF officers who will do the
honors aboard the vessels. Special dis
plays emblematic OF the nation have
been planned as attractions to the vis-
itors Among the marine officers will
be Jesse L. Dibert. Gilbert Haly, Cecil
Baker. George Meredith, Forrest Met
tier. Herman Dyhergh. Jack Harper
and Claude Faw.
one of the most picturesque features
of the affair will be the vine canopied
garden where ice cream will be served
by bevy OF the younger girls. Thous-
ands OF wistaria blossoms have con-
verted q nook Of the hall into a bower
OF beauty. Miss Jennie Johnson has
charge of this booth. In the gypsy
camp a trio OF well known seers will
reveal the future. The Starr King
museum and the wild man show will
divide the interest OF the visitors. The
candy kitchen and candy booth will be
presided over by a number OF promi-
nent women.
That the guests may be kept in touch
with each other a special delivery
postofflce service will be maintained.
This concession in charge OF Mrs NJ. L.
Hadley and Mrs. Doris Madden prom
iees considerable amusement.
The naval carnival is the most unique
affair which has been planned by the
progressive societies of the Unitarian
church. The proceeds will be devoted
20 the philanthropic work for which
they have made themselves responsible.
In addition TO the number Of conces-
sions and amusements a program Of
music will be given under the direction
Of Professor D. P Hughes. Among
those who Will contribute the numbers
are Mrs. Robert N. Hughes and a
string quartet.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
TORNADO SWEEPS
OVER TEXAS TOWN

PARIS. Tex. April 2S-About o'clock
this afternoon a tornado destroyed the
eastern portion of Deport, a town 20
miles southeast OF Paris. killing w. r
Isbell. druggist. and wounding sew
era1 others.
The Isbell family was at supper whom
the storm came and Mrs. Isbell and the
four children ran to the storm house
and were unhurt. Mr. Isbeu remained
in the house and was crushed to death
when 1t fell Practically all the resi-
dences on the east side OF town were
destroyed, at least 25 or 80 being scat
tered over the country in fragments
The Baptist and Presbyterian churches
were destroyed The cotton oil mill.
including the boiler house. seed and
hull sheds. were blown away
Captain George l. Terrell and his
wife. an aged couple. were both hurt
when their house was blown away
The school building was badly dam
aged. but not destroyed G. G. Baughn
was seriously bruised L. R. Sullivan
and wife were both hurt Sullivan
has both shoulders broken and his wife
one arm broken and their son has a
broken wrist. The path OF the storm
was several hundred yards wide. II
came from the southwest and appeared
TO be only a hurricane. having no signs
OF twisting and little or no electricity
Torrents of rain added to the trouble.
Oak Grove. a town east OF Clarks-
Vile on the Texas and Pacific railroad.
is reported almost destroyed. many
houses being demolished, but without
fatalities, as far as learned.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
new PACIFIC FLEET
TRAIL BATTLESHIPS
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

WASHINGTON, April "a new
Pacific coast fleet. second in power and
Importance only to Evans great battle
ship feet now on the Pacific coast. Is
being assembled and placed in shape
for a long cruise. This was announced
at the navy department today. The
bureau Of navigation and the navy
chiefs are silent as to the object OF the
cruise, but it was learned from an au-
thoritative source that the Pacific feet
will trail the Evans feet When the
fleet sheers Off from Honolulu for Aus
tralia the new Pacific fleet will be only
three weeks behind it. ana Will continue
in direct line to Manila and rem
devious there.
The movement. according to one or
the. bureau officials. viii cause consid-
erable comment when 1t becomes gem
orally known and will yield In interest
only to the accomplished project OF
sending the Evans fleet into the Pa
cihc. II the movement takes place az
scheduled the ships which will cOnstt-
tute the Pacific fleet will be the battle
ship Oregon. armored cruisers Tennes-
see, Washington. Colorado. Maryland,
West Virginia, Pennsylvania. California
South Dakota and the protected cruis-
ers Charleston, Milwaukee and St.
Louis.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
OLDER AND FROST
IN SPIRITED TILT
SPECIAL DISPATCH 10 THE CALL


SAN RAFAEL. April 2s.-Fremont
Older. managing editor OF the Bulletin.
completed his testimony today in the
libA suit brought by former Police
Commissioner Thomas Reagan OF San
Francisco against the San Francisco
news company. distributor OF McClure's .
magazine. He engaged in a heated tilt
with Attorney Frost, who represents
Reagan. which was quieted by Judge
Lennon. Older said that he had fought
Reagan on moral grounds. while Frost
contended that his opposition had been
political.
II was brought out through Older's
testimony that Reagan. had visited the
home of Schmitz upon various occasions
and special stress was laid upon the
meeting at the Schmitz home which
figured 80 prominently In the recent
extortion cases. Older said that at the
time Reagan resigned from the police
commission he had asked the retiring
ofnciai for a statement involving
Schmitz and Ruef. but Reagan had de-
cltned TO give II on the ground that it
might reflect on some of his associates
The incidents which led to the dis
missal of former Commissioners Hutton
were rehearsed.
Before leaving the stand older said
that. as far as he knew. Reagan had
never taken a dishonest dollar.
Edwin Dwyer of % Castro street, San
Francisco. was the next witness He
said that he had acted as an insurance
solicitor for Reagan and gave q list of
saloons which. he said. had placed their
insurance with the former commits
sioner He was followed on the stand
by several employees OF the news COM
pany.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
RAISE $1,000 FOR
sunday SCHOOLS
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

SANTA CRUZ, April 2s.--One con-
vention closes in this city by ushering
in another. and at Congregational
church fully 1880 persons tonight at
tended the final exercises OF the state
Sunday school association meeting,
delegates to the Epworth League con-
vention also joining in the meeting.
The Sunday school convention has
been most practical, and gratifying re-
suits have been obtained. 1t was stat
ed that in California there were 20e,-
600 children who do not attend any
Sunday school and for the purpose of
work among this class $1,000 was
raised in z few minutes.
State Secretary c. R. Fisher Of San
Francisco stated that the northern CAL
ifornia association has 10000 teachers
and 10000 scholars enrolled prac-
tically every evangelical church being
represented Fisher, who gives all his
time TO Sunday school work. has trav-
eled 1900 miles in nine months.
Prof. z. o. Excel, the music COM
charge OF singing. and the leading
spirit OF the convention has been Ma
rion Lawrence of Chicago. who ad-
dressed large audiences at different
times during the day.
President W. II. Bell OF Berkeley
gave the final address tonight on I'VE
Can Do II and We Will"
Five hundred delegates are expected
at the Epworth league district conven-
ton, which opens it's business sessions
tomorrow and continues over Sunday
At o'clock they were given luncheon
By the local chapter and then repaired
to Sunday school convention Their
program is an elaborate one and COW
ers all phases OF departmental work.
Dr.. J. Emmet Clark is presiding officer
OF the convention. The local commit
tees. who have made all ample prepa-
rations for the delegates, consist of
Prof. @. / Johnston. Lucia Blanchard
Or. G. A. Bangs. F. L. Heath. June
Lindsay, Minnie Doeltz and Noble
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
INDORSES BRYAN,
FAVORS SALOONS

SPRINGFIELD, Ill, April 23.-The
Illinois democracy adopted the unit rule
today and instructed it's delegates to
the national convention at Denver to
vote for William ]. Bryan and to use
all honorable means" to secure his
nomination.
After hot fight in the resolutions
committee, which was carried into the
convention, the party adopted a plat
form plank declaring in favor Of the
greatest possible personal liberty" to
individuals, provided such liberty did
not infringe upon the rights of other
people.
Instead of naming the usual four
delegates and alternates at large to the
national convention it was decided to
send eight, allowing each man one
half of a vote. Two presidential cleo
tors at large were chosen.
The resolution indorsing Bryan was
adopted with enthusiasm and a fatter-
ing demonstration followed the action.
For all that, however, it was not
worded entirely to the satisfaction Of
Bryan's most enthusiastic supporters,
and in the last few minutes of the con-
vention Judge Owen P. Thompson of
Jacksonville. declaring that Bryan had
been sold out,'' demanded that q
stronger resolution be passed. He de-
sired to have the instructions so worded
that Illinois would be bound to support
Bryan long his name was be-
fore the convention. His effort was
made in the last few minutes Of the
convention, and it met with the usual
fate of new business that Is sprung
upon hot weary, hungry and thirsty
delegates who are anxious to catch
trains for their homes. 1t was swiftly
and overwhelmingly defeated.
The convention, however, showed
sincere enthusiasm for Bryan. When
his name was mentioned there was In
variably great applause and the read
ing OF the resolution in his favor was
greeted with cheers. The applause, 1t
is true, came more from the delegates
from other counties than Cook and
other cities than Chicago.
Roger c. Sullivan, who dominated the
convention from first to last did not
applaud Bryan's name at any time, but
Sullivan is not the kind of man who is
given to applauding things, no matter
how strong his approval may be- When
the demonstration was in progress after
the reading of the Bryan resolution he
arose and stood until the cheers sub
sided, and then resumed his seat
The fight over the personal liberty
or liquor plank in the platform was
warm and long. 1t delayed the con-
vention nearly two hours. and then a
minority of seven presented a report
urging that the plank be entirely
omitted. Nineteen members of the
committee favored 1t, and the conven-
tion sustained them by a vote OF S49
to CSC. OF the total in favor OF the
plank 535 votes came from Cook
county. Three-quarters of the country
delegations voted against it, but the
heavy vote of Chicago was too much
for them. Considerable feeling was
manifested during the roll call, which
laid the minority report upon the
table.
The johnson men were not in evi-
dence throughout the convention and
no resolution bearing his name was
introduced.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
RAT FUND GONE, IS
PLANT OF AUDITOR
Tells Mayor and Expert of Gov
ernment He Will Pay No
More B0unties

OAKLAND. April 2s.-City Auditor
Gross has notified Mayor Mott and DR..
]. D. Long, government expert In
charge of the sanitary campaign In
this city, that no more acquisitions on
the city treasury for rat catching or
other expenses connected with the SAN
itary crusade will be audited by him.
AT a conference between the mayor.
Auditor Gross, DR.. Long and Secre-
tary Fawcett of the board Of public
works, Gross stated that the expendi-
lures for the anti-plague work have
been so heavy that the city treasury
is facing deficit
He said that he would audit bills
until the present appropriations are
exhausted, but would go no further,
whether the bills presented are for
sanitary work, street work or other
purposes. The auditor announced that
he would absolutely refuse to carry
over a deficit to next year.
Gross stand will probably necessi-
tate delay in several projects which
the street department had intended to
finish this year. The expenses OF this
department have been unusual during
the current year. owing to several i'm
portant innovations having been un-
dertaken by the board of works which,
with the added cost of the plague CAM
paign, has depleted the annual fund.
In view of the condition of the
treasury and taking into consideration
the greatly improved aspect Of the
health situation in the city. the off,
cials of the health department this
morning discharged all of the assistant
sanitary inspectors who have carried
on the anti-plague work in the city.
numbering $50.
DR.. Long proposes to retain the 80
head sanitary inspectors for the next
two months. He also desires to retain
the medical men who have assisted in
the work. and with this force it is
believed that the regular work can
still be carried on at an expenditure
of about $4,000 for the next two
months.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
WILKINS TO APPEAL
MURDER VERDICT
Prisoner Receivers Self Control
and Passes Night Reading in
County Jail Cell

OAKLAND, April 7s.-Following the
shock OF the jury's verdict which
doomed him to the gallows for the
murder of Vernie Carmin, Mark A.
wilkins recovered his self-control and
passed a portion Of the night reading
in his cell In the county jail Wilkins
conduct throughout the trial has been
lures seldom changed, with the excep-
tion OF his partial collapse when the
verdict was read.
wilkins was expected to break down
and confess during the night and mem
bers OF the district attorneys stan
who had worked on the case expressed
curiosity regarding the manner In
which he administered the strychnine
to the woman. He had admitted that
he gave her a cup OF coffee as she lay
on . couch In the cottage in Elrnhurst
on the night OF her death and one
theory was that he had administered
the drug in the coffee Another idea
was that wilkins had taken apart a
quinine capsule, had filed 1t with
strychrine and given 1t In that FORM
The case will be appealed and ii is
probable the appeal will be based on
Attorney Hugh McIsaac's objection to
the reading OF the deposition OF Mrs.
Ida Anderson, given at wilkins pre-
Iiminary examination She left the state
before the trial and McIsaac said he
had accumulated information with
which he could have subjected her to
rigid cross examination He also
argued that District Attorney Brown
might have detained her In the state.
as he knew OF her intention to leave.
wilkins cell mate is Smith A Bran
don. who was arrested for the attempt
ed killing OF his wife by shooting her
through the shoulder, after which he
tried to commit suicide.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
OWNERSHIP OF STREET
is QUESTION AT ISSUE
SPECIAL D1sPArcH TO THE CALL

SPECIAL DISPATCH TO The CALL
REDWOOD CITY. April 23.-The first
conflict that the newly chosen of1eers
of this municipality had 10 face oc-
Cured today. when there was ciasn
of authority between City Attorney r.
II. Thorpe and the Southern Pacinc
railroad company over Pennsyivania
avenue The avenue is very narrow
and runs parallel TO the tracks rom
the depot south. The corporation nad
a force OF men at work today moving
guard gates and gatshouses back from
the tracks. in preparation Tor tne iay-
ing OF another line of rails The ques-
rion at issue is as TO tie ownership OF
the street and the right OF the company
to move it's houses from the present
locations.
City Attorney Thorpe. accompanied
by the town marshal. was on the scene
early and called a halt In the WORK.
The city probably will get out an In
junction against the Southern PACING
In order not to lose any OF its rights
pending the decision on the ownership
Of the street
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
BANDIT ROBS CASHIER
IN LOS ANGELES OFFICE

LOS ANGELES. April 2s.-R B. Da-
vison, cashier OF the Los Angeles and
Redondo railway company. was held up
in his ONCE In the most prominent part
OF the city. on Second street between
Broadway and Spring, at $40 tonight.
Dawson had gone TO the rear. leaving
q SO package exposed on his office
counter. When he returned a few
minutes later q we'll dressed man had
appropriated the package. and while
Dawson was looking for 1t the stranger
made his way out OF the telephone
booth and showed loaded pistol under
the cashiers face, commanding him to
throw UP his hands and give up the
contents OF the safe.
Dawson made a pretense Of counting
out some silver. but the robber insisted
what he wanted was real money and
appropriated $500 in gold and 800 in
currency Then he disappeared, leav-
ing behind about $1,000 that was stored
away in another part OF the safe vault.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
MERCHANT D[MURS
TO WOMAN'S PLEA
Says Complaint for Breach Of
Promise to Marry Sets Up
No Cause of Action

OAKLAND. April 2s.-Lambert Van
Laak. wealthy retired merchant of
San Francisco. nearly rs years OF age,
who was recently sued for $4,000 for
an alleged breach of promise by Mrs.
Lydia E. Allen. comely widow OF SO
summers, who lives in Alameda, filed a
demurrer to her complaint today The
demurrer alleges that the complaint
does not state a cause for action. Van
Laak and the woman. who alleges he
trified with her affections and refused
to make her his wife after having
promised to do so, have known each
other for nearly 20 years, according to
Mrs. Allen
After Van Laak's wife died upward
OF 10 years ago he made love to Mrs.
Allen, she says, and all arrangements
We're perfected for the wedding. Van
Laak advanced the money with which
the bride elect purchasd her trous-
seau.
Mrs. Allen declares that Van Laak
failed to marry her because of the in
terference Of his daughters, who did
not want their father to marry a Sec
ond time. Although the wedding as
planned did not come off. Mrs. Allen
says that she and Van Laak continued
to be good friends. Last summer, she
says, she met the retired merchant
at an outing resore and he once
more asked her to become his wife.
She says that she consented and that
Van Laak built a cozy dwelling in
Aalmeda in which he installed Mrs.
Allen and her daughter. When Van
Laak refused the second time to make
Mrs. Allen his bride and ordered her
from the Alameda house she consulted
an attorney and instituted a suit
against the merchant.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
THIRD WIRE TAPER Is
CAUGHT BY DETECTIVE
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

NAPA. April 23.-The third Of the
quartet of wire tappers from Oregon,
two of whom were arrested yesterday
at Vallejo, was captured here today by
Pinkerton Detective H. Williams. The
wire Taper. who gave the name of
Edward Wilson, was followed here from
vallejo and arrested on his arrival in
response to a telephone call by Of1cers
Secord, Allen and Atterson.
The four wire tappers went to
vallejo from Portland. Ore. two days
ago and two of them were caught tam
pertng with the Western Union wires
Just outside of Vallejo yesterday. The
game OF the men was to delay the
racing returns into Vallejo poolrooms
and thus place winning bets on races
tnat had already been run. The third
man Is still at liberty. Pinkerton De-
tective Marvin came here late this aft
ernoon and took Wilson back to Vallejo,
Where he will be tried with the others.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
PASTORS
AGAINST RACETRACK
League Asks All to Preach
Against Gambling First
Sunday in May

BERKELEY. April 23.-Sunday. Nav
8. has been named by the California
Anti-race track league as "anti-race
track Sunday" when all the pastors oc
the state have been asked to assaiI
racetrack gambling from their pulpits.
More than 500 circular letters have
been sent to the churches and the press
asking support Of this movement de-
sigred to do away with all forms OF
racetrack gambling.
The churches have been asked to
take up the racetrack question May 8.
1t Is the object of the league by means
OF the circular letters to raise a gem
eral storm Of protest against the En-
eryville and Los Angeles racetracks.
Public opinion win be influenced TO
demand that measures suppressing the
racetrack be passed BY, the next Iegis-
lature.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
STATE MEDICOS HOLD
SUCCESSFUL MEETING

,AN DIEGO, April 23.-with a grand
banquet at the Hotel del Coronado the
thirty-eighth annual convention OF the
medical society of the state OF Califor-
MIA came to a close. The session has
been the most remarkable In the an
nails of the institution and has been in
every way most successful. Numerous
papers and discussions of great inter-
est were enjoyed. Among others par
ticipating in today's discussions were
DR.. Allen f. Gillihan of Berkeley. DR..
Wallace L Terry of San Francisco. DIR.
John w. Robertson of Livermore, all on
the thyroid, its diseases and its treat
ment- Other papers were read by DR..
c.. M. Cooper of San Francisco. DR.. o.
D. Hamlin of Oakland. DR.. Thomas w.
Huntington of San Francisco, DR.. F. B.
Wakefield of San Francisco, DR.. E. w.
Morton of San Francisco, DR.. r. F.
Sticthose of Oakland and DR.. Ernest
Dwight Chipmer Of San Francisco.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-24
FLEET COMMITTEE
TO SEE ADMIRAL

OAKLAND, April 23.-Details for the
great parade and reception to be held
in honor of the officers and men of the
battleship fleet in this city May 9 are
rapidly being perfected by the COM
mittee. Saturday Mayor Frank K.
Mott, Frank W. Bilger, George w.
Reed and several other members of the
reception committee will leave for Santa
Barbara to confer with Admiral Thomas
relative to the celebration program in
Oakland. A wireless dispatch was re-
ceived from the admiral today inform
ing the committee that he would give
all Of his time Sunday morning to talk
over the plans for the reception to the
naval men in this city.
MANY ORDERS WILL PARADE
Organizations representing nearly six
thousand men already have signified
intentions to participate in the big
parade, and 1t is expected that there
will be fully seven thousand civilians
in the line of march After confer
ence between Grand Marshal II. n.
Card, County superintendent of Schools
Frick and City superintendent OF
Schools McClymonds it was decided to
reserve Fourteenth street from Broad
way to Clay, the latter street from
Fourteenth to San Pablo avenue and
San Pablo from its intersection with
Clay street TO Fourteenth street for the
school children OF the county.
The stand from which Secretary of
the Navy Metcalf Admiral Evans, Gov
ernor Gillett, Mayor Mott and 150 spe-
cial guests will review the parade will
be on the east side of Broadway near
Fourteenth street Mayor Mott, Grand
Marshal Card and Edwin NJ Stearns,
secretary of the chamber of commerce.
are negotiating with the railroad COM
panies for special transportation of ma
tional guardsmen to this city May 9.
LOOK FOR 250 ODD FELLOWS
c. H Viewer. chairman Of the Ala
media county Odd Fellows committee
on the reception to members of the or
der attached to the fleet, has reported
Fellows from the men-of-war will turn
out as body in the-p parade, after which
they will be guests of the Alameda
county lodges at Idora park. There
will also be a division of Patriarchs
Liscum. Spanish war veterans. has sent
word to the committee that it will be
represented In the line of march.
Secretary Stearns of the chamber of
commerce today mailed notices to all of
the members of that organization of the
banquet to be given Secretary Metcalf
and the officers of the fleet at Idora
park on Saturday evening, May Q.
Plates will be $40 and no reservations
will be made after May 5.