davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1909-06-13
Proof Found in Letters

CLEVELAND. June IT believe
that we have the right men and that
through them we may be able to break
up the so called Black Hand society
which has been preying upon the
wealthy Italians in the central states -
said United States Attorney William
Day today at the close of conference
with postal inspectors.
The inspectors turned over to Day
scores of letters found in possession OF
Sam Lima, one of the Marion. Ohio, sus-
poets.
These letters said he today, lead
me to believe that there is an actual
organization among Italian blackmail-
ers. with its headquarters at Marion
and that it has branches reaching as
far as Rochester, \. Y, Buffalo. Nj
iagara Falls. Pittsburg, Cincinnati
Cleveland. Toledo. Columbus. Indianapo-
lis and Chicago. with minor agencies
in the smaller intervening cities"
The San Francisco call., 1909-06-13
IJICHI APPRECIATES
COURTESY OF COAST
Expresses Official Thanks
Through State Department

WASHINGTON. June 12.-Rear Ad-
miral Ijichrs appreciation Of the cour-
tesies 10 him and the officers and
crews of the japanese squadron dur
ing their visit to the ports on the Pa
cifc coast is expressed in a telegram
from him communicated TO the secre-
tsry OF state today as follows:
~On the eve Of departure from the
hospitable shores Of the United States
7 request YOU 10 convey in behalf Of the
officers and men OF his majesty's train
ing squadron TO the government and
through it 10 the people of the United
States their grateful appreciation OF
tile courtesy and hospitality so gen
orously extended, both official and
otherwise, by the American people dur
ing the squadron's extended visit in
ports Of the Pacific coast.
"On my return home / shall report
fully 10 his majesty the emperor the
cordial welcome thus extended by the
American people 10 his squadron"
The San Francisco call., 1909-06-13
GENERAL Jim"
IS SUBJECT OF
FALSE REPORT
Friends of Smith Appear Mis-
taken in Saying He Would
Succeed Judge Morrow
Three Washington Officials
Deny knowledge of Retire
ment or Appointment

Rumors or an interesting but indei-
aite kind which have played about the
names OF Governor General James F.
smith and United States Circuit Judge
W W Mor7ow ever since the war
colo2e' or the California Volunteers
SCI coot again on the Pacific coast were
apparently set a. rest yesterday.
These rumors have it that Judge
Morrow contemplated retirement from
the federal bench and that General
Smith would be selected TO take his
place The story has been circulated
on the authority OF friends supposed
10 be close to General Smith and has
gained the sembIznce OF circumstan-
tiaI verihcadon from General Smiths
candid avowai that his ambitions
pointed TO a seat on the federal bench
So KEOWTEDGE OF CHANGE
Word came from Washington yester-
day, however. that neither Attorney
General WIckersham. Solicitor General
Bowers nor Secretary Carpenter had
received any intimstion either OF Judge
AOrTows purposed retirement or OF
Snl ms appointment to The vacancy
which would be created After Presi-
dent Taft these three men would un-
dOubtedIy be the FIRST TO know OF the
change. II any were TO be made
Judge HOTrOw laughed last night
when the story was called TO his at
tenrion and briefly discredited it
This is the first ] have heard of
my retirement" wRs his comment
The story is likely TO persist, for IT
has been told by men who seemed Ia
speak as though they could vouch for
their words il has gone the rounds
OF General Smiths friends and has
probably reached the generals ears
General Smith could not be reached
last night at Santa Clara
SMITHS ONLY AMBITION
When General Smith arrived in this
city Thursday morning he stated quite
frankly that q permanent position on
the bench wss the only form OF Oficia
service which he would henceforward
be willing to undertake Quite as
frankly ne called attention to the fact
that lie was a democrat and that he
had absolutely no claims on the repub-
licsn administration, having been more
than usually favored already
Before General Smith arrived here
there was another rumor current tc
The effect that the democratic organiza
ton was considering him as an avail
able candidate for mayor. smith pur
a stop TO this talk by declaring en-
phaticany that be would not for mo
ment think Of entering into politics.
The San Francisco call., 1909-06-13

The largest grapevine in the world
is 120 years. old and is at San Gabriel,
Cal, planted by Franciscan friars.
The stalk is X feet in diameter. s
feet high. and the branches and
foliage cover an area of 5000 square
feet. Its average crop of grapes is
two and half tons yearly. 1t forms
the summer dining place of the San
Gabriel hotel
The San Francisco call., 1909-06-13

the conspirators. Another italian of
Spangler was to be shot Lots were
drawn, it is alleged, as to who should
do the work, and those upon whom it
fell were to die if they did not perform
the deed within 80 daYs.
The San Francisco call., 1909-06-13

Sir II. II. COzens- Hardy master of
the rolls in England. recently said that
in his belief classical teaching did
more to cultivate true gentlemanly
manners and to improve the whole con-
dition of the man than any other
branch Of study.
The San Francisco call., 1909-06-13
MAY BE MURDERER
OF ANNIE POLTERA
Suspect Held in Imperial County
Jail Subjected to the
Sweating" Process
Under Sheriff Thinks Prisoner
Has Made Some Damaging
Admissions About Himself


Ell CENTRO. Cal, June 12.-Louis
Martin weineman, charged with at
tempted burglary at Brawley. where
he was found in the room Of young
girl at night. is now in the Imperial
county Jail here. The prisoner has
been put through sweating process
by Under Sheriff W H Buck. who
stated that admissions gained from
the prisoner strongly tended to con-
meet wieneman with the murder of
Annie Poltera in Los Angeles He
acknowledged having been in Los An
geles at the time of the Poltera murder.
a picture of the Poltera girl cut from
a Los Angeles paper was found in his
possession The man viii be held here
while further investi cations are made.
Sheriff Hammel of Los Angeles is eX-
pected here tonight
Contradictory Statements
IMPERIAL. Cal. June 12-Ludwig 9
Weineman. held in jail as a result Of
a planned assault on a young woma n.
may be the much sought murderer OF
Annie Poltera al Los Angeles. or he
may have no knowledge of the crime
whatever.
1t is impossible to tell from the
mans own. admissions whether he was
concerned in the case or not
Weinemans statements are entirely
contradictory. On one occasion he
said he had not been in Los Angeles
for six years. and again stated that
he knew the men who killed Annie
Poltera. Three hoboes committed the
crime he said, and he was present at
the time.
A large pocket knife, whetted to a
razor edge. was found on Weineman
when he was arrested. With such a
weapon the little Poltera girl may
have been slain.
Sheriff Hammel of Los Angeles is
expected today. and if suspicion points
strong enough at Weineman. he will
be taken to Los Angeles to answer for
the Poltera murder. Otherwise. he will
be tried at Brawley on burglary
charge
important Evidence Found
IMPERIAL June 12-Deputy Sheriff
Shaw of Brawley says that he has dis
The San Francisco call., 1909-06-13

covered the effects of Weinemann and
among them were articles which tended
to prove the prisoners connection with
the Poltera murder. He will not di-
vulge the nature OF this evidence
The San Francisco call., 1909-06-13
BURNS Santa
aEwoRKs FACTORY

FIREWORKS FACTORY BUREs-Santa
Maria del Rio. San Luis Potosi. Mex, June IL
spent rocket from a celebration entered the
window of a small fireworks factory here last
night Juan Ramirez. the owner Of the factory
and his two children were killed By the explosion
and Mrs Ramirez fatally injured. The
building was wrecked.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
J. X. JEROME SERIOUS.
Urges Return of Liberals
German Var Scare.

London. Dec. 20.-The election cam
paig has brought out two interesting
communications Jerome X. jerome ad-
dressing the workingnlen at NARROW last
evening, spoke strongly for the Liberals.
He said that If the Lords should obtain
power over finance the Liberals could
never hope TO take office again. because
ninety nine out of every one hundred
Conservatives were rich men and able
g afford To contest an election every
year if necessary. while the Liberal labor
mon could not stand the cost of yearly
elections. which the Conservatives could
compel 10y constantly throwing out the
Liberal budgets
Robert Blachford. the Socialist leader.
in the course of his series of articles on
The German Peril says to-day that
the questions of budget. protection and
free trade are all insignificant in the
face Of this impending danger and sug-
gests as a programme an immediate vote
Of s250.000.600 for the navy. compulsory
military service military training for all
schoolboys. large increase for secret
service and naval intelligence. and the
taxation of manufactured imports. if
found necpSSarv
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
TRAINHEN'S DEMAND.
If They DO Not Get a Uni
form Wage VII Strike.
IBy Telegraph To Tic Tribune !


Pittsburg. Dec. 19.-President w. G.
Lee of the Brotherhood of Trainmen, be-
fore his departure at midnight for ma
tional headquarters, Cleveland, after at
tending a meeting of the local union.
which admitted two hundred new mem
bers. declared that tomorrow all the rail-
roads east of the Mississippi River and
north of the Chesapeake & Ohio line will
be notified of a demand for a uniform
wage, which means in some instances an
increase of 40 per cent and none lower
than 3 per cent.
The demand will be filed on January 2
or within a few days thereafter. If ii is
granted il will affect l75.OOO men. of
whom $4,000 are members of the brother
hood.
President Lee said the vote of local
unions in the territory included was cam
vassed at meeting of the executive
committee in Chicago yesterday. and
that district chairmen OF the brotherhood
were notified at once from national head
quarters OF the result. which was almost
unanimous for holding out if necessary
for acceptance of the ultimatum.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
CIGAR PROVED FATAL.
1t Ignited Bath Robe of
Thomas ]. Cooper, Politician.

Media. Penn, Dec. 19.-Thomas Valen-
tine Cooper, a member of the Pensylva-
mia Legislature from Delaware County
and formerly Collector of the Port of
Philadelphia. was burned to death az his
home here to-day. While smoking a
cigar in the sitting room Of his home he
either fell asleep or suffered a paralytic
stroke. His bath robe became ignited.
and he was dead before the flames were
discovered by members of his family.
Mr.. Cooper was a sufferer from insom-
mia, and shortly before O'clock this
morning he entered the room occupied
by one of his nephews and got cigar.
Shortly afterward his daughter-in- law
smelled smoke and awakened her hus-
band, Thomas V. Cooper jr. An alarm
of fire WAS turned in, but before the fire
men arrived Mr.. Cooper's body was
found lying on a blazing couch in the
sitting room. 1t was badly charred. AS
no Outcry was heard his family believe
he suffered a stroke of paralysis before
the cigar fell from his mouth.
Tom Cooper, as he was known in
every corner of Pennsylvania, was a
familiar figure at all political gatherings
of consequence in the state. Although "A
stalwart of the stalwarts he did not
hesitate on a number of occasions to
lead a hot fight within the Republican
party. He was seventy-four years old
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
CANAL ACT UPHELD.
Constitutional, Says Supreme
Court Justice FOOte.

Albany, Dec. 19.-The constitutionality
of the barge canal act, involving an ex-
penditure by the state of SlO1. 100000. is
upheld in decision by Supreme Court
Justice Nathaniel Foote, of Rochester.
Attorney General O'Malley was so ad-
vised to-day.
The state condemned property in the
town of, Gates. Monroe County. owned
by William Pelo and his wife. for barge
canal purposes. The Pelos sought to
restrain the officials from appropriating
their property on the ground that the
barge canal act was unconstitutional
Attorney General O'Malley demurred,
and the case was argued before Justice
Foote. who has rendered the only court
decision on the question.
In 1900 Julius NJ. Mayer. who was then
Attorney General. denied a request made
to him by anti-barge canal interests to
test the constitutionality of the act be-
fore any work had been undertaken on
the improvement.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
THOUSANDS WATCH RAID.
Newark Police Capture Hundred AL
legged Crap Shooters.

The most spectacular raid ever seen in
Newark took place shortly before mid
night last night, when Captain Ryan. of
Newark's Tenderloin. with a posse of men,
broke into an alleged crap" game on the
fourth floor of the King Building, at the
corner of Market and Halsey streets.
There were more than one hundred men
in the big room. which is conducted by
Joseph Zarra. They sRarmed over the
windows son to the broad lodges, but were
unable 10 get further, as it would have
been almost certain death if they attempt
ed to drop
Thousands in the street below shouted
all kinds of suggestions to them. but they
were obliged to remain in their perilous
positions until the bluecoats were ready
to pull them through the windows again.
Twelve wagon loads were taken to the
station.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
STRIKE IN PHILADELPHIA.
Garment Makers, 5000 in Number, to
Go Out This Morning.

Philadelphia, Dec. 19.-Demanding recog-
milton of their union. a nine hour day.
fifty-hour week and uniform prices. which
means an increase of 20 per cent in their
wages. the eight thousand members of the
Garment Makers Union of this city to-
night unanimously voted in favor of a
strike. to be begin tomorrow morning at
8 o'clock.
They expect TO be joined by three thou
sand non-uniOn workers Almost all the
members of the union, which is affiliated
with the American Federation of Labor are
women. Three large meetings i'm different
sections Of the city were held tonight in
place Of the one meeting planned to be held
in one of the theatres of the city, which
was forbidden by the Police Department.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20

or the other just before the tragedy is
the belief of the authorities from the
fact that on a couch in the dining room
was found a picture of the mother, and
beside il photographs OF the two daugh-
tiers. They had been removed from
rnantlepiece in the parlor. and this was
the only evidence of disorder in the
house None OF the neighbors, including
Gordon. who occupies the house adjoin-
ing that in which the sisters lived. heard
any disturbance in the house, so far as
could be learned.
OBJECTS OF CHARITY.
The sisters had been constant COM
panions. and were marked i'm the neigh
borhood OF their home for their peculiar
characteristics. Some of the best known
families in Newark opened their homes
20 the pair. and until few years ago
were frequent visitors. They had sub
sisted on small income from an estate
left them by their mother until late
years. when they were obliged to become
objects of charity. and were receiving
Regular allowances from the Rev. Louis
Shreve Osborne. of Trinity Church, to
which they had belonged so many years.
Mr.. Osborne said the couple had been
remarkable for their devotion TO church
work. we're OF a lovable disposition and
mingled with the other worshippers with
apparently contented minds He said
they We're mysterious and. although in
timstely acquainted with many OF the
wealthiest psrishioners. were not very
communicative about themselves or their
family history. Mr.. Osborne said that
for a time the sisters were occupied in
dressmaking
The sisters had lived in the Marshall
street house for twenty two years.
Their legal interests were managed by
Cortlandt Parker. jr-. who i'm that capac-
fly succeeded his father, who died a few
years age the dean of the New Jersey
bar. and had for years looked after the
aged spinsters.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
WOMAN DIES IN STREETCAR.
Stricken with Apoplexy in Crowd of
Church and Concert Goers.

Considerable excitement occurred in a
southbound Amsterdam avenue trolley
car last night the result OF the sudden
death from apopleXy or an unidentified
woman passenger. The car was crowded at
the time with church and concert goers,
when at both street one of the passengers
noticed that the woman had fallen back as
though in a faint.
When it was discovered that she was
dead. the screams of the frightened women
attracted the attention OF Patrolman Hunt,
OF the West 195th street precinct. He sum-
moned an ambulance and the body was re-
moved 70 the j. Hood Wright Hospital
morgue.
The woman was identified later as Fran
ces j. Moxley, of No. 4t6 West 29th street.
by her son. Frank Moxley. of No. Sis West
18Th street, called to the station house by
the police. who found his name in a di-
rectory.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
BANKER DROPS DEAD.
W. X. Hammond Fell as He
Vas Learing Country Club.
[Ry TeleRranh to Thc TrIbune.

BY Telegraph to The Iribune.I
Baltimore. Dec. 19.-William r. Ham
mond president OF the Third National
Bank. while descending the stairs at the
Pimlico Country Club about q o'clock this
evening dropped dead of heart disease.
Mr.. Hammond took a couple of friends
out to the club in his automobile early
in the afternoon. He appeared in the
best of health, and showed no sign of
illness until stricken.
He had long been prominent in finan-
cial and commercial circles. Born on the
Eastern Shore forty-five years ago. he
entered the grain business in Baltimore
when only twenty years old. He had
been president of the Third National
Bank since March % last. He was the
owner of the famous old Pimlico race
track and took great interest in sports.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
EDWARDS ON STREET CLEANING

Commissioner William III. Edwards. of
the Department of Street Cleaning. win
give an illustrated lecture on the work
OF his department at the Young Mems
Christian Association. I'D street and sa,,-
enth avenue, tomorrow evening under the
auspices OF the Lower West Side Church
Courtney, pastor of the Thirty-fourtb
Street Reformed Church. at No. S,7 Wes,
Sith street. y president OF the organization
which Mr., Edwards Will address Women
as We'll as men are invited to attend lhs
lecture. s
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
J. ROGER TIMLIN DEAD.
Believed to Have Shot Himself Acct
dentally.

Chicago. Dec. 81. Roger Timlin. a
mining promoter. Of san Francisco. shot
and killed himself accidentally. il is be
heved, in a room in the Stratford Hotel
tonight Guests who heard the shot
rushed TO Timiin's room and found him
dying on the floor Beside him was a suit
case, partly opened. in the suitcase was A
revolver. and a bullet hole was found in
the side of the suitcase
II is believed that Timlin accidentally
discharged the revolver while attempting
TO close the case. The bullet struck him in
the abdomen and he died within a few
minutes. He registered at the hotel on FIJI
dsy as J. r. Timlin. San Francisco, Gold
field and New York
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
TelEGRAPHERS MAY STRIKE

Cincinnati. Dec 1s-With the referend,,r
vote OF telegraphers of the Big Four Rail-
ROAD completed tonight j. j. Dermodv.
fourth vice-president Of the Order of Rail
way Ieiegraphers. announced that % per
cent of the union telegraphers voted in ia
vor of a strike.
MI Dermody said the question of a strike
now lay with committee OF seven. which,
with the national body of the union. will
settle the controversy. About one thousand
men are involved in the demands on the
Big Four for a wage increase and other
concessions
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
STEAMERS CAUGHT IN ICE.
Closed Season on Canadian Border Be
gins Early.

Detroit, Dec. 19.-The steamer Strathcona
was caught in the ice below Bois Blanc
early on Sunday morning Later in the
day the steamer Donna Gonna. her sister
ship. reached the place. but also found
further progress impossible. Both vessels
are bound for Buffalo.
The tug Francis Hackett worked all day
to release them. and the tug Harding.
which arrived in Amherstburg from Cleve-
land on Sunday morning. left to assist the
steamers. They will probably he released
tomorrow a Canadian vessel was re-
ported caught I'm the ice this afternoon.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
Guardian
Trust Company
Of New York
-
ITO Broadway
Capital & Surplus $1,000. 900
BLIZZARD IN TEXAS.
COldest Weather an History of
State Reported.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune ]


San Antonio, Tex, Dec. 19.-Since
midnight last night this section Of Texas
has been in the grip of the coldest
weather in its history. Ice and sleet
cover everything. The street railway
service is almost entirely suspended.
Gas pipes are frozen. many electric light
wires were blown down and large sec
ton OF the city is in darkness.
The blizzard spent its force at noon
to-day in extreme Southwestern Texas.
where the damage to late garden truck
and probably to citrus fruit cannot be
estimated. The loss to cattle raisers is
also great. Three inches of sleet covers
the central part of Southern Texas. while
deep snow covers Western and Northern
Texas. Northern Mexico experienced the
cOldest wave on record
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
ORDER GIANT MOTORS.
Pennsylvania Road to Use
Fifth an Terminal Here.
TBy Telegraph to The Tribune ]

Pittsburg. Dec 19.-The Westinghouse
company here has received orders ior
fifty of the largest electric locomotives
ever planned. TO he built for the New
York terminal of the Pennsylvania Rail
road. All the locomotives must be de-
Iivered before July ], 1910. The aggre-
gate cost is close to S1,000,000.
The engines will be operated each by
an electric motor of two thousand horse
power, and may be used single or double
unit They will have each the drawing
power of three ordinary freight locomo-
tives and a speed of sixty miles an hour.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
THE CORINTHIAN STRANDED

Halifax. Dec. l9-The Allan Line steam
er Corinthian, from st. John. " b. for
London and Havre. is stranded on a mud
Dank OF Georges Island. in this harbor.
ana probably will have TO discharge part
OF her cargo before she can be fioated IL
Is thought that she has sustained no dam
age, She was on her way cut when the
accident happened
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
HELD FOR BLOCKING AMBULANCE.

Or. F. Burneil. of Flower Hospital. ap-
peared last night as complainant against
a man, who said he was James Barrett.
OF No. us Fifth avenue. at the East s7th
street station. on charge of Obstructing
an ambulance. According to DIR. Burneli
ne was going east I'm SD street. and as he
started TO cross Park avenue Mr.. Barnett's $
machine flashed past. narrowly missing the
ambulance. the doctor said. Mr.. Barrett
was held in 500 bail. which he furnished.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
WIFE UPBRAIDED, KILLS HERSELF

Indianapolis Dec. 19.-Shortly after her
husband had upbraided her for receiving A
man friend during his absence and had left
for New York, Mrs. David Wesenburg
wife of a cigar dealer, committed suicide
tonight In her apartments by drinking car
boic acid
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
PLAGUE CASES AT eUAYAouIL.

Guayaquil, Ecuador. Dec. ~ - During
the first two weeks Of December sixty
cases Of bubonic plague. Of which twenty
three proved fatal, were officially reported
here In the same period there were
twelve cases Of yellow fever and five
deaths
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20

Massilon, Ohio. Dec. 19.-Westbound pas
senger train No. o. known as the Penn
sylVania flyer struck one of n string of
detached box cars near here at 2:05 O'Clock
this morning. The engine was damaged
and the fireman. w. Alexander. was badly
injured. No passengers were hurt
The passenger train was going at fun
speed. and it cut the freight in two. lay
ing the shattered ends on both sides of the
track The trucks of the freight car were
hurled some distance away.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-20
SUNDAY EXCISE VIOLATIONS.

The arrests for excise violations in the
boroughs of Manhattan and The Bronx yes
terday numbered 45. as against 81 for sun
day week ago. The arrests in BROOKLYN
numbered 80, those in Queens and those
IN Richmond ;. The total for greater New
York was 81 arrests, as against 90 arrests
made on Sunday a week ago