davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
CHARGES MEMS ILLS
TO SUPERSTITION
Fellowship Speaker Says Terror Held
Up by Priests Has Kept the
World in Dark
ness

Reynold E. Blight of the Los An
Of addresses on 1.-THE Religion of the
Skeptics' yesterday at Blanchard
hall. He discussed THE Religion or
Robert G. Ingersoll." He said in part:
Fear causes the majority of the ills
to which flesh is heir. All fears are
fears of the invisible. To the savage
every tree hid an enemy and every
shadow concealed foe The first re-
ligion was devil worship, and the
savage offered his rude gifts to avert
the wrath of the demons.
1.-THE priests were quick to recognize
the commercial value of fear, and fear
has been the main stock in trade of
the religious charlatan in all ages. The
voodoo man with his black magic, the
medicine man with his tomtom, the
priest with his lamentations and ora
cles, the Christian priests with their
miracles and mummeries and the
Protestant preacher with his threat of
hell, all direct their appeal to the
cowardly fear in the hearts of their
credulous and superstitious followers.
when preacher teaches the doc
trine of eternal pain in sincerity and
earnestness he is driven to the verge
of insanity by its appalling horror.
ExtoIs lngersolI
Robert G. Ingersoll devoted his life
to an effort to put out the fires of hell
and to free the human mind from the
thraldom of fear. He was an 1cono-
clast, and with wit, argument and sar-
casm, held up the narrow, cruel doc
trines of the church to scorn, but he
never ridiculed a good thought or no
BILE impulse, and never deprecated
sincere man. His voice always was
lifted in defense of the weak and
wronged. His most eloquent and NOV
ing passages are in praise of kindness,
brotherhood, liberty and justice.
Fear is the child of ignorance and
must disappear before the larger
knowledge of today. Science has stolen
the mystery from nature and revealed
the workings of the beautiful, living
laws. Science has taken the terror
from the tempest and we stand awed
at the passing of omnipotence. Science
has driven the hobgoblins from hill
side and meadow and clothed all ma
ture with beauty and with joy. Science
has taken the forces that to the
imaginations of our fathers, were the
messengers of wrath and malevolence
and made them docile servants of man.
Science has torn aside the veil and
shows us that every atom is instinct
with divinity: and teaches us that
throughout the long reaches of the
universe there is nothing to fear
"Ingersoll prepared the minds of
thousands for the larger, nobler, more
spiritual conception of religion, in har-
mony with science, and springing from
the deepest aspirations of the human
heart"
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
GOES TO MORGUE
TO END His LIFE
WAITER SHOOTS HIMSELF AT
UNDERTAKER'S
DEATH OF WIFE TWO YEARS AGO
CAUSED MELANCHOLY
Letters Found on Suicide Reveal Plot
to XIII Nurse Who Had Attended
Spouse In Her Last
Illness
[Rx Associated Press. ]

SAN FRANCISCO, April 1S.-Crazed
by i'll health and brooding over the
death of his wife, which occurred near
ly two years ago, Constantine Wick
man, a waiter, ended his life in local
undertaking parlor today by firing a
pistol bullet through his head.
Although but one shot was hearo
and only single chamber of his re-
volver had been discharged II was
found Wickman had another bullet IN
his body, 1t having entered the left
side of the chest and ranged around
his body to the right side. 1t is sup
posed he had made an earlier attempt
on his life and after firing the first
shot walked several blocks to the place
where his second shot resulted fatally.
From letters found on his body 1t
was learned Wickman had for twenty
months plotted to kill the nurse who
attended his wife during her last ILL
ness. Repeatedly in these letters,
which are in the nature of diary, he
repeated his desire to avenge the IN
human treatment" accorded his wife
by Miss Mellette, which was the maid
en- name of Mrs. A. M. King, the nurse.
The most recent letters stated he had
no hope of accomplishing his design
owing to failing health, and would
lend it ALL"
One of the charges he made against
the nurse was that his wife was sent
to the morgue IAN hour before she was
dead"
The police believe the man was mem
tally deranged owing to his prolonged
illness and grieving.
Wickman planned his suicide care
fully and selected the place some time
ago. Among the papers on the body
was what purported to be a will, di-
recting the small bank account left
by the suicide be used by the UNDER
taker in whose parlors the body was
found to defray funeral expenses.
The coroner's records show that
Wickman's wife died in the Hahne-
mann hospital in 1907, after having
been removed from a refugee house,
suffering with heart disease
Miss Mellette was head nurse at the
hospital at the time, but she says she
has no recollection of the case.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
PERMANENT INSANITY TO
BE PLEA OF CAPTAIN HAMS
Prisoners Father Declares Son Is Not
Expected to Live More Than
Two Months

NEW YORK, April 1S.--Insanity, not
of the momentary and vanishing char
acter usually invoked as a defense for
emotional crimes, but permanent and
incurable, will be urged, it is stated,
as defense in the case of Capt. Peter
c. Hams, jr., whose trial for the MUIR
der of William e. Annis on the float
at the Bayside Yacht club last August
will be begun at Flushing, L. l., to-
morrow.
District Attorney Dewitt, who will
conduct the prosecution, believes the
prisoner is in full possession of all his
faculties
Gen. Peter Hams declares his son
was dying and that no matter what
issue of the case the captain could not
be expected to live more than two
months.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
AT. THE HOTELS

j. S. Acker a. mining engineer OF
Prescott, Ariz., is at the Hollenbeck.
H. Wilbur Spence, wealthy manu-
facturer of Detroit, is at the Lanker-
SHIN.
J. w. French, a machinery manufac-
turer of San Francisco, is registered at
the Van Mugs.
D. Willick, a banker of London, is in
Los Angeles on business and pleasure
and is at the Van Mugs.
Mr.. and Mrs. e. w. Geddings. prom
inent tourists from Colorado Springs,
are registered at the Hayward.
Charles E. White, a mining man of
Goldheld, arrived in Los Angeles yes
terday and registered at the Angelus.
Edward Lincoln Smith, prominent
merchant of Seattle, accompanied by
his wife, is registered at the Alexandria.
w. r. Thomas of San Francisco, Pa
cific coast manager of the National
Cash Register company, is at the An
gelus.
York financial circles, is enjoying Los
Angeles climate and is at the West
minister.
Mr.. and Mrs. C. H: Pettingill, wealthy
tourists of New York, are in Los An
geles on their annual trip and making
their headquarters at the Angelus.
Mr.. and Mrs. e. ]. Merely of Van
couver, B. c., who are touring the
United States, arrived in Los Angeles
yesterday and are at the Alexandria.
Mr.. and Mrs e. B. Morgan of Denver
are guests at the Lankershim. Mr..
Morgan is well known in hotel circles,
being proprietor of the Albany in
Denver.
j. f. Reddy. business man of Med
ford, Ore, is visiting Los Angeles on a
combined business and pleasure trip
and is making his headquarters at the
Alexandra.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
SAYS HE WAS VICTIM OF
MOST DIAB0LICAL PLOT
Friends of U. S. Treasury Agent Who
Committed Suicide Unable to
Explain Mans Statements

PARIS, April 1S.-"I am the victim
of the most diabolical plot ever devised
to ruin an innocent man."
This was the message contained in a
farewell letter found in the effects of
William cambridge, confidential agent
of the United States treasury depart
ment, in charge of it's Paris customs
bureau, who committed suicide yester
day. Mr.. Bainbridge's colleagues at the
American consulate are untable TO
throw any light on these tragic words.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
RISE IN FLOUR
DEMANDS ACTION

ing thirty-four loaves for 81. On these
loaves, Mr.. Green asserts, the retailer
made profit of 70 per cent. although
on all other food commodities he is
content with profit of about 20 per
cent net. During the year, and es-
pecially in the last few weeks, flour
has advanced in price until it now
costs So more a barrel than it did a
year ago. AS a consequence the bakers
are thinking of cutting down the size
of the loaves.
This will not be so bad, Mr.. Green
argues, If it is cut down to certain
standard and that standard main
tanned, but he says there is no telling
when they may decide to further re-
duce the size.
He says the council has nothing to
do with the matter of fixing the price
of bread that is done by public opin-
ion and the demand; but he says the
council has the power to fix uniform
standard of weight and petitions the
council to take such action. The con-
stitutionality of an action of this sort
is admitted by the bakers provided
no attempt is made to fix prices.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
RETURNED TRAVELLER SAYS
BUSINESS IS GOOD IN EAST
Wesley Clark Declares Financial Con-
ditions in Big Cities Are
Encouraging

Mr.. and Mrs. Wesley Clark returned
yesterday morning from visit with
their two daughters, Lucille and Sarah
Harris, at Wellesley college, Wellesley
Mass. and are at home at their resi-
dence at 141 Westmoreland place. En-
route they stopped at Chicago and New
York.
Business conditions in the east are
showing a marked improvement" said
Mr.. Clark last evening. "Signs of re-
newed prosperity are seen in all the
eastern cities, especially in Chicago and
New York.
1--WE left Chicago before the wheat
furry began, but from my observations
of the market while there 1 should not
suppose any serious trouble will result.
"Chicago was enjoying some I'M
usually bright weather while we were
there, but showed nothing to be COM
pared with the Los Angeles sunshine
Eat at the Angelus grill.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
KNABENSHUE WILL TAKE
AIRSHlP TO SAN FRANCISCO
Racing Balloon United States Also
VIII Be Sent to Northern
City

Roy Knabenshue's airship and the
famous racing balloon United States,
owned by Dick Ferris, have been sent
north and will be used at San Fran
cisco for flights through May and June.
An important feature of these flights
will be the data on currents obtained,
which. with those secured through as
tensions at Los Angeles this winter,
will be of value to eastern balloonlsts
who contemplate coming to California.
Mr.. Knabenshue has inquiries from
eastern men stimulated by the activity
at Los Angeles in the last six months
that lead him to believe twenty bal
loonists can be induced to come to Cali
fornia IL they realize the pleasures of
ballooning here. Knabenshue will make
his flights over San Francisco from
East San Mateo, where a special park
has been inclosed for him.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
Saloon Keeper Fatally Shot

RICHMOND. Cal, April 1S.-As a re-
suit of a quarrel over dice game to-
day Martin Vandandelur, a former So
loonkeeper of this city, is lying in a
hospital with four bullets in his body,
and Claude Noel, who did the shooting
is in Jail, where he will be held pend
ing the outcome of Vandandelur 8
wounds. There is little hope for the
recovery of the wounded man.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
DYSPEPSIA

MUNYON'S DYSPEPSIA KENNEDY
acts almost Immediately on the Gastric
Juices and gives the stomach tone and
strength to digest almost everything that
has been put into It. 1t soothes sore ana
by physic and injurious drugs We cannot
too urgently advise all persons who suffer
from any of the following symptoms to
try this remedy: Distress after eating,
food Waterbrash, Sour Stomach, Heart
burn. Loss of Appetite, Constipation,
Dizziness, Falntness, Palpitation of the
heart, Shortness of breath. and all aftec-
We want every discouraged and despon-
dent sufferer from Dyspepsia or Indiges.
tIon to cast aside all other medicine ana
give satisfaction I will refund your mo-
ssav MUNYON.
For soIA bv all druggists, IGice, Zoe.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
Robbed and BrutaIIy Beaten

TACOMA, April 1S.-Mrs. Eliza
Pockman, aged 81, wife of L. H. Pock-
man, manager of the Wynkoop-
Vaughn Drug company, was brutality
assaulted and robbed of her handbag,
which contains a watch and a few dol
lars in money, by thug last night.
Only for the timely arrival of assist
ance, the fiend might have killed the
helpleSS woman.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
Poet Disappears; Suicide Feared

LONDON, April 1S.-There is no
trace of John Davidson, the poet who
has been missing from his home at
Panzance since March %, and his fam
lily has given up all hope of seeing
him alive. A search of the poets
papers has revealed a document in
which he wrote: 1.-THE time has come
to make an end. I cannot put up with
cancer"
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
A Rigid Test

''You are more cautious than you used to be
about recommending people for appointment"
Yes" answered Senator Sorghum; II have
been thinking 1t over and have decided that
I ought to be at least careful about in
dorsing a mans application for public office as
would be about indorsing his note."-Wash-
ington Star.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19

Every school boy or girl in California has
a chance to earn a dollar today. The Her
aid Junior will give two prizes of $l.OO
each for the two best s50-word papers on
the subject "When My Cousin Comes to
Visit Me-" Address "Aunt Laurie" care
this paper, today.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
EASTERN COMPANY
TOPlACE MILLIONS
ANNUALLY IN LOANS
BIG OPERATIONS IN CALlF0R-
MA ARE PROMISED
Money Will Be offered on Ranch and
Farm Lands-Financial COM
mittee Is Already at
Work

Officials of the Union Central Life
Insurance company are in Los Angeles
to study Southern California with a
view to making long time loans on
ranch, orchard and farm properties in
this section. The company probably
will make yearly loans on California
country real estate aggregating $5,OOO,-
900 a year.
Louis Breiling, treasurer of the COM
pany; R. F. Rust, assistant treasurer,
and J. P. Lombard, financial agent,
compose the financial committee. They
have headquarters at the Van Mugs
hotel and already have visited the I'M
perial valley, the San Gabriel and Po-
mona valleys and Riverside and Red
lands. They were the guests yesterday
of M. V. Hartranft, president of the
California Home Extension association,
at his country home near La Canada
yesterday, and will leave this morning
for a trip of ten days through the San
JOAQUIN and more northern valleys of
the state.
The Union Central Life Insurance
company began investigating Califor-
mia as field for placing loans about
eighteen months ago, when experts
were sent from the home office to look
over the state. AS result loans were
placed on Sacramento valley lands and
also on lands near Fresno. The COM
pany confines its loans to farm lands
and has SCI, 1000, 900 loaned out on farms
in thirty-six states.
State is Promising
ct think we shall find California a
favorite field for placing loans" said
a member of the party, land the APP
portionment of the Union Central Life
loans for California will not likely be
less than 900 to $5,000,000 year.
The growth and prosperity of Cali
fornia and the rural home life of the
state are extremely interesting.
"Loans made by a life insurance
company differ from those coming from
a bank in that the latter institution is
likely to require the money in time of
stress, while the insurance company
seeks to have it's money safely placed
for long terms in order to meet the
contract or policyholder at the end of
the long period. This makes very
helpful finance for the development of
rural districts, and it was shown dis
tinctly to the advantage of California
during the last panic, when our COM
pany was making loans at per cent
throughout the farming districts at a
time when the savings banks had shut
down on their loan departments be-
cause of the shrinkage in deposits.
While the company does not make any
loans except for ten years the borrow
err is allowed to pay off from time to
time if he desires to do So"
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19

Don't simply allow 1t to dte-that plan of
yours. Find little capital through advertise
Ing
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
Through Tourist Sleepers

To Boston, Chicago, Omaha-every Tuesday.
Wednesday, Saturday via Coast Line.
Salt Lake. Scenic Colorado.
To Chicago Omaha and East-every day via
Salt Lake Route. Scenic Colorado,
Denver.
To st. Louis, Kansas City, st. Joe-every
Monday via Coast Line every Tuesday
via Salt Lake Route Scenic Colorado
Daily through standard sleeper serv-
ice via Salt Lake and Denver.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
Special Rates
to the East
Plan Now
OF SALE

May 15-16- 2O-2 1-22- 81 June 1 to 4. IA
to 10, 25 to 81; June "a and 20 addi-
tional dates to st. Paul; July to Z;
August 9 to IS.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-19
ROUND TRIP RATES

To Chicago $725O; st. Louis $3.50;
Omaha, Kansas City, ST. Joseph $50;
ST. Paul $3.50.
S24.5O higher via Seattle.
Three daily through trains from Denver,
east morning, noon and night, commencing
May 20.
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-12
BURGLARS AND THIEVES
KEEP THE POLICE BUSY
Several Victims Make Reports
of Their Losses

Burglars broke into the residence OF
Jacob Haskell, 1927 Octavia street
Wednesday night, and stole silver ware
and jeweIry valued at $3.50.
Several rooms in a lodging house al
100 Steiner street were ransackeo
Wednesday, among them the room OF
Esther Poison. from which jewelry val
ued at s33 was stolen.
The residence of Mrs Peter Campini
1886 Howard street, was entered by 9
burglar and jewelry valued at SIS
stolen.
The residence of James L. Barr. 1904
Twenty second street was entered and
iewelry valued at $3.50 stolen.
The residence of M. Miyhara. 1861
Pine street, was entered and an iron
bank containing 500 taken from a
trunk.
william Keler's room in the old st
James hotel S24 Laguna street, was
entered and clothing valued at s121
stolen.
James Journeay. 2s57 Twenty first
street. was relieved of purse contain
ing s65 on Howard street car
Wednesday, and j. L. Quigley, 1856 TIL
den street. was relieved of purse con-
tanning s2l.50 on a Market street car.
Mrs. A. j: Sc Lover, Hotel Oregon,
Fourteenth and Valencia streets. was
relieved of handbag containing jew
elry and other articles in the Key
Route waiting room Wednesday night.
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-12
PAROLE DAY CELEBRATED
AT THE PARENTAL SCHOOL
Good Showing Made by Lads
Meets Reward

Parole day was celebrated Tues
day at the Parental school when IL
boys who had never missed a day in
attendance at school and had other
wise made good" in their work were
accorded the privilege of choosing any
school in the city in which to seek
their further education In addition
to those given the parole several other
lads who were paroled last term ap-
peared and made satisfactory reports
of their progress
Many were present to wish the boys
good luck and addresses were made
by Judge Murasky, superintendent of
Schools Roncovieri, Department Super
intendent of Schools Ferguson, School
Director Hayden, Chief Probation Off
Ger Hatch, superintendent Know of
the detention home, DR.. Anna Lyle and
several representatives of the various
women's clubs.
The Parental school is under the
charge of Miss Rae Alexander, assisted
by Mrs. /. C. Schwarz and Miss Annette
Levy.
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-12
CALLS WIFE DRAG
UPON HIS SUCCESS
Harry Catlin, Iron Works En-
ploye, Divorced for Cruel
ty After Settling Alimony
Owner of Rooming House Com
plains That Husband Refuses
to Pay Small Rent

Harry Catlin, who holds prominent
position in the Union iron works.
drawing a salary of $3.50 month, told
his wife, Beatrice, that she was merely
a drag and hindrances to him, and
that no man who wished to make a
success of life should get married. Mrs.
Catlin so testified in Judge Van Nos
trand's court yesterday She was
granted divorce on the ground of
cruelty.
catlin's habit was to lock himself in
a sitting room Sundays and refuse to
see or talk TO his wife and two chill
dren. his wife also told the court. If
he wanted to communicate with the
outside world he would do SO by tele-
phone When Mrs. Catlin asked him to
stay home evenings he answered he
did not see any necessity for doing so.
and that man who would stick around
his home like that was monkey.
They were married in Sacramento Sep
tember Il, 1906. BY an arrangement
made out of court, Catlin agreed to pay
his wife $50 a month for the support of
herself and children.
That her husband forcibly took from
her s65-her separate property-was
charged by Josephine Hourticq yester-
day in a suit for divorce from Firmin
Hourticq The plaintiff says she owns
rooming house at 759 Broadway,
which is conducted by ner husband, and
from which he receives an income of
$500 a month. Hourticq refuses to pay
his wife $50 a month rent, she COM
plains.
Liking for the companionship of
women other. than his wife was the
chief, complaint urged yesterday by
Mary v. Ivancovich against John IVAN
covich The wife was granted di-
vorce by Judge Mogsn. Ivancovich re-
ceives a pension of Sc month from the
federal court, and as manager of a
self heating iron company earns a sal
ary of $500 a month.
Divorces were granted yesterday as
follows:
By Judge Cabaniss-Julis r Schmidt from
Richard f. Schmidt desertion; Nellie Bayly
from Charles F. Bayly, willful neglect.
from William l.. Treppard. deserton.
By Judge Graham-Frank e. Garside from
Sarah r. Garside. desertion.
By Judge Sturtevant-Rudopi Mehrtens from
Mamie NJ. Mehrtens.
Suits for divorce were begun yes
terday by:
Nadine Parker against William NJ. Parker,
willfuI neglect.
Mary z. Mobiles against Frederick j. Mobiles,
cruelty.
The San Francisco call., 1909-11-12
CLEARS THE C0MPL EXON
OVERNIGHT
Pimpies, Rash, Eruption, ETC., Quickly
Eradicated by New Skin Remedy

Ever since its discovery. poslam. the
new skin remedy, has in its extraordi-
nary accomplishments excees1ed the
most sanguine expectations of the emf
nent specialist who gave if to the world.
II has cured thousands of cases of &C.
zema and eradicated facial and other
disfgurements of years standing. The
terrible itching attending eczema is
stopped with the first application. Civ
ing proof of its curative properties at
the very outset
In less serious skin affections, such
as pimples, rash, herpes. blackheads.
acne, BARRIERS itch, etc, results show
after an overnight application, only a
small quantity being required to effect
a cure. Those who use poslam for these
minor skin troubles should Immediately
secure one of the special so cent pack
ages recently adopted to meet such
needs. Both the so cent package and
the regular 81 jar may he obtained in
San Francisco at the Owl Drug Co. and
other leading drug stores.
Samples for experimental purposes
may be had free of charge by writing
direct to the Emergency Laboratories.
80 West Twenty-fifth Street, New York
City.