davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
AGED FLOWER MAN
IS SENT TO ASYLUM
DESERTlGN BY WIFE AFFECTS
MIND
Witness Says J. p. Waller Borrowed
Two Dollars to Purchase a
License Tag for Stray
Dog

j. p. Waller, the aged flower man
whose mental faculties began falling
when his wife deserted him more than
a year ago, was committed to the in
sane asylum after an examination by
the iunacy commission yesterday.
Each day for months past Waller
was a daily visitor at the court house,
district attorneys office and at offices
in downtown business houses, his Vis-
its being marked by the presentation
of flowers, for which he always de-
clined payment.
II wanted to distribute the flowers
before they died and never sold one
in my life" Waller told the commits
sion.
Another example of Walters kind
ness of heart was told by d witness,
who said the old man had on one occa-
sion borrowed 81 with which to
purchase a license tag for stray
dog, fearing the animal might be
taken up by the dog catcher.
Another commitment was that OF
Silvia Belt, widow of the old negro
bloodhound keeper, whose dogs have
been employed many times by the po-
lice in their chase after criminals. Inc
woman, who claims to be cousin OF
Jesse James, labors under the hallu-
cination she is an actress and singer
of repute.
A commitment was also issued in
the case of Ernest Grinton of Saw
telle Grinton demanded jury trial
and this will be held sometime during
the coming week.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
LATE COUNCILMAN WREN
DELAYS CITY LAWMAKERS
ssnce More President of Municipal AS
sembIy Makes Ruling That Talk
Is Out of Order

The tardiness of Councilman Wren.
who is seldom in the council chamber
at the proper time, delayed the meet
ing of the council yesterday morning
tNa1nty minutes. Clampitt was twen-
tfgfive minutes late. He always is late
and takes no heed of the presidents
demand that the members of the coun-
eli be in their seats on time.
Two members of the council, Pease
and Healy, were on time, but Lyon,
Yonkin and Wallace were a few min
utes late. Wallace noticed he was late
and slipped into the council room
through the main entrance while the
other tardy members of the council
were in the committee room, and he
greeted his colleagues with a look of
injured innocence that was amusing
when they filed into the council cham
ber.
The better enforcement Of rules was
begun yesterday morning. A patrol
man stood at the entrance between
the lobby and the council chamber, and
only those who wished to address the
council collectively were admitted.
President Pease gave the council an
other much needed lecture and read
them some of the rules which the
council itself adopted for its own guild
ance. One of the most important OF
these rules is the one that prohibits
councilmen from conversing with out
side persons during the council session.
Within five minutes after the presl-
dent had called the after lion of the
council to this rule Yonkir. had broken
1t twice, once by talking to Justice
Pierce.
But the council preserved much bet
ter order yesterday than 1t has any
time in the past, and President Pease
firmly asserted he would enforce the
council rules thoroughly.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
HEALY AGREES
WITH ALEXANDER
MAYOR AND COUNCILMAN IN
ACCORD
BOTH WANT WIDOWS EXEMPT
FROM LICENSE
City Attorney Asked to Present ordi-
nance That Mil Give Poor
Women Better Chance
for Living

For the first time in the history of
the present administration Mayor Alex
ander and Councilman Healy We're to-
gether on a proposition. The PROPOSE
ton was to present SO every three
months in license money to some poor
widows who take in few boarders to
make living. The matter was pre-
sented to the council in a message
from the mayor and this message was
notable in that it was the first the
mayor has sent the council in Whlch
Healy did not see symptoms that the
mayor was playing politics.
On the contrary Healy was the nrst
to move that the recommendation con-
tained in the mayors message be sent
to the city attorney with instructions
to prepare an ordinance and present to
the council as soon as possible.
The message is self explanatory and
is as follows:
ITO the Honorable the City Council.
Gentlemen: Reports from police Of
ficers and others have called attention
to the fact that in the manufacturing
districts of the city there are a good
manv poor widows who make a scanty
living for themselves and their families
by serving meals to the employees or
the factories. Section Sc of the license
ordinance requires every person con-
Quoting such a business. the gross re-
ceipts of which do not exceed $4O0 per
month, to pay fee of So per quarter.
Having but few customers, it is real
hardship upon these poor people to
pay this license fee, and I would
recommend that your honorable body
amend the paragraph of said section
&C. which refers to those whose gross
receipts do not exceed $500 as follows:
For every person, firm or corpora
tion, whose gross receipts in such bust
ness exceed 5000 and do not exceed $4OO
per month, SO per quarter
Respectfully submitted. MAYOR"
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
DECISION EXPECTED SOON
IN SMITH WILL CONTEST
Judge Rives to Decide Friday Whether
Beneficiaries Exerted Undue
influence on Testator

A decision in the contest over the
will of R. Crawford Smith, who died
February 6. 1907, leaving an estate
valued at $S6,917, will be handed down
by Judge Rives Of the probate court
Friday.
Smiths will as first prepared provid-
ed for the distribution of his estate
share and share alike, to two brothers
and two sisters. Later two codlcils
were added, the first bequeathing
$4,000 to Dora Barnett and the second
giving $4,000 to Lottie LiVlngstome, one. =.
Pasadena school teacher, and $4,000 to
Lola Swilling.
According TO the contestants these
codiciIs were made at the instlgation
of the beneficiaries, who were alleged
to have exercised an undue influence
over Smiths mind by the use of sup
posed communications from the spirit
world.
The case was one of the longest and
hardest fought that have ever been
tried in the probate court.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
EVERY LIQUOR LICENSE
NOT VALUED AT $4,000
Police Commission Disappointed by
Evidence Brought Out in Saloon
Case Hearing

The police commission was disap-
pointed last night when it learned that
every retail liquor license in Los An
geles is not held at valuation OF
SO 900 by the breweries. The commits
sion had been led to believe this was
the case and because of this bellef II
devoted an entire evening yesterday
to hearing the case of Dan P1tzel
against Fred Kroeger.
Pitzel, who runs what is known as
Dan Pitzels saloon at 901 East First
street, asked that the license for the
saloon, which has stood i'll the name OF
Fred Kroeger, be transferred to him.
self. He told the commission Kroeger
was an agent of the Maier brewery
and that he merely acted as stool
pigeon for the brewery in holding the
license. But the commission found the
license for this place at least was not
worth $4,000 when Pitzel declared
few years ago he had sold the saloon
to the Maier Brewing company for
S12, 500 and later had repurchased the
same place with the same fixtures rof
$4,000. He said the place had steadily
been losing money.
Pitzel produced a contract with the
brewery showing himself bound to
purchase beer of this particular COM
pany for So a barrel. He said the same
beer was frequently sold for 81 bar
rel and had been sold for Sc. He also
declared he paid the brewery sos more
a month for rent on the place he oc-
cupied than the brewery's lease de-
manded. The brewery rents the build
ing Pitzel occupies for $175 month
and sublets it to Pitzel for $3.50 a
month.
When the commission had heard all
the evidence it granted Pitzel's re-
quest, revoked the permit held in the
name of Kroeger and regranted 1t to
pitzal
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
NEW COMMISSION
TO HANDLE DOGS
MAYORS APPOINTMENTS ARE
CONFIRMED
cLAMPlTT is CONVERTED TO
MAJORITY
Injunction Against Auditor Probably
Will Be Dropped and Long De-
ferred Salaries Paid to
Employees

After a parliamentary struggle in
which Councilman Clampitt held the
balance of power, the council yester-
day confirmed the humane animal
commission appointed by the mayor.
The new commissioners are: Charles
A. Elder of the Elder Building Mater
ial company, Walter A. Schmidt
chemical engineer, and Francis Il.
Haley, retired fruit grower and real
estate man.
The mayor sent the names of these
commissioners to the council early in
the afternoon. 1t requires majority
vote of the council to confirm appoint
ments and when the message was read
there were but six members of the
council present. President Pease had
been called away and Clampitt was In
the chair. Wren moved that the ap-
pointments be confirmed, but when
the chair put the question mystery
developed.
he mystery was that Healy voted
against the confirmation of the COM
mission. Healy is always the keenest
member of the council to see that
every one with the slightest claim
against the city gets his money and
the employees of the Humane Animal
league have not received their salaries
IOr Iue ldSI three HlOlllhS' DSCduoS u
an injunction suit pending in the
courts. 1t was explained to Healy
that by the appointment of this COM
mission the suit would be withdrawn
and the men paid off. But still Healy
stood out and determinedly voted
no" All other members of the coun-
Gil voted for the confirmation but
when the roll came to President Pro-
tenn Clampitt he voted with Healy.
Because only four, Lyon, Wallace
Wren and Yonkin voted for the con-
f1mation the measure was lost, as five
votes constitute a majority of the
council.
Vote Reconsidered
While other business was being dis
cussed Councilman Wallace held
conference with Clampitt and just be-
fore adjournment the vote on the
confirmation was reconsidered and
again put. This time Clampitt voted
with the other four and the majority
vote was recorded in favor of con-
firmation.
Placing the handling of the dog
pound under a commission means that
the Humane Animal league will no
longer have anything to do with this
br-nch of the city government, and it
is hoped the long controversy will be
stopped. 1t was stated by members
of the council who should know that
Wit the appointment Of the commits
sion the injunction suit brought
against the city auditor forbidding
him to pay over any city money to
the Humane Animal league will be
dropped.
It is also stated that one of the first
acts of the new commission will be to
discharge the Vachers, who have
been employed by the Humane Animal
league. 1t was said yesterday that it
was because this fact was known to
Healy that he refused to vote for the
confirmation of the commission.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
MAKES GOOD USE OF
ADVANTAGE OVER CITY
Garbage Contractor Notifies Council
That He Will Raise Price, Be-
ginning October

Knowing that he practically has the
city at his mercy, Sam Mcclure notified
the council yesterday that beginning
with October l future monthly con-
tracts for garbage wagons and teams
would have to be made at the rate of
$50 a month per team and wagon in
stead of $40, the present rate. AS the
city used between thirty and forty gar
bage wagons and teams every day this
means that the increased cost will
amount to several hundred dollars a
month.
Mcclure has been furnishing teams
and wagons for garbage collection on
monthly contract since the first of the
year. At that time his three years
contract for hauling garbage expired
and because of unnecessary delay in
the council no new contract was made
Although the ordinance for new con-
tract has been passed it will probably
be the first of the year before the con-
tract can be entered into, and during
that time the city must pay Mcclure
his own price.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
Actor-Hurqlar Taken North

George Thompson, the actor-bur-
glar, sentenced by Judge Davis to
three years at San Quentin, was taken
north last night. He will be accom-
panied as far as the prison by his wife
and two children, who will proceed to
Portland, Ore, to live with Thomp-
son. parents until his release. As
sistant District Attorney McComas
stated yesterday two other charges
pending against Thompson will be
dismissed when they are called next
Saturday.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
News OF the Courts
HALF A GLASS OF BEER
MAKES MAN A BURGLAR
Pleads Courtesy to Friend Caused Him
to Rob Young Woman's
Room

How imbibing a half glass of beer
gave him a queer feeling and led him
to denude Miss M. Hershey's bureau of
it's jewelry was explained by Albert
Van Hauette in Judge Davis court
yesterday, when he appeared for SEN
tence on a charge of burglary commit
ted July 81. Van Hautte said he drank
the beer because he wanted to be
courteous to friend who had invited
him into a saloon after matinee:
When he reached the Fremont hotel
and found Miss Hershey's key on the
floor he entered her room and took sew
eral articles of jewelry and $50 in
money, all of which was returned the
following day.
1t was Van Hautte's first offense, and
he was placed on probation for a term
of two years.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
SANTA FE GETS NEW
SPUR FRANCHISE
COUNCIL VOTES AGAINST A0'
VICE OF CITY ENGINEER
Marco HeIInan Enabled to Tap His
Subdivision by Tracks Through
Streets Owned by the
City

Although the city engineer and the
board of public works had advised the
council not to grant a spur track
asked by Marco E. Hellman on Com
mercial. Ducommon and other streets
+be council yesterday did grant the
franchise asked for AS a result OF
his franchise, the Santa re Will pe
ab1e to place a spur track IN ABOUT
tha same locality that it was denied
bv +he "river bed franchise" council
when the franchise asked by the santa
re was given to the Southern racine
three years ago.
The franchise granted describes
letter IS" from the Santa Fe tracks
20 the Hellnan tract. The streets of
the citv it will occupy are parts OF
Commercial street, Ducommon street
and Lafayette street, and from there
close to Labori lane into the Hellman
The board Of public works and the
city engineer objected to the spur
asked by Mr.. Hellman. because, where
the track turns into the industrial
nronertv on Commercial street that
the spur is designed to accommodate
the track runs within foot OF the
sidewalk. 1t was pointed out by the
citv engineer that this would be an
Inconvenience to traffic and he urged
that change be made in the course
of the track This Mr.. Hellman was
not able to do because, TO follow the
suggestion of the city engineer, would
necessitate the purchase of property
Immediately adjoining his, and Mr.
Hellman was not able TO purchase this
property. NJ
When the matter came up for dis
cussion before the city council yes
tardav Councilman Wallace demanded
that Iir. Hellman put up some kind OF
protection on the sidewalk. He sug-
gested an iron fence and Mr. Hellman
readily agreed to take any proper
precautions the city engineer should
recommend.
It finally was compromised by or
dering the franchise ordinance drawn
by the city attorney and the city en-
gineer instructed to begin proceedings
to reduce the width of the sidewalk
two feet at this point for distance
according to his own judgment The
cost of cutting down the sidewalk will
be borne by Mr.. Hellman
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
Coulter Dry Goods Co.

third of the property owners in the
district was presented. Several pro-
testants made speeches on the floor
of the council and then happy
thought struck Councilman Wallace.
What is it you people particularly
object to?" he asked.
He was told that the objection was
to paving Union avenue with asphalt,
The proceedings were looked up and
it was found the pavement is to be
oiled macadam and not asphalt, an
improvement that does not cost thlrd
as much as asphalt. When the prop
ertv owners learned they would not
have to pay several hundred dollars
for their Improvement they left the
council chamber in a happy frame OF
mind and the protest was denied with
every one satisfied.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
THREE PRISONERS TAKEN
EAST ON GRAVE CHARGES
Constable Frank Cochran Leaves with
Two Men Wanted in Detroit.
Another Goee to Denver

Constable Frank Cochran of Justice
Ling's court left for Detroit, Mich,
last night, taking with him George w.
Terry and George r. Thompton, both
of whom lost in their fight against
requisition. Terry is wanted to an
swer to charge of embezzlement and
conspiracy to defraud creditors, and
Thompson is also wanted on cor
spiIacy charge. Constable Cochran
will visit his old home in Pittsburg
before returning to Los Angeles.
H. ]. Place, deputy United States
marshal of San Diego, also departed
for the east last night, taking with him
Charles Dakin, wanted in Denver on a.
charge of stealing gold from the mint
in that city.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
GROCERY LIQUOR QUESTION
BEFORE COUNCIL SEPT. 28
Police Commission Members Present
Resolution Adopted and Time Is
Set for Hearing

Judge D. K. Trask and S. C. Graham,
members of the police commission, ap-
peared before the city council yester-
day and presented the petition ap-
proved by the commission the night
before, asking the council to amend the
liquor ordinances so as to prohibit
groceries selling liquor.
Consideration Of the petition was
postponed to September 2S, which is
the date set by the council for a spe-
cial meeting when it is probable the
liquor ordinances of the city will be
revised in a number of ways. The
council has before it a plan to reduce
the quantity a wholesale house can sell
to a commercial pint instead of fifth
of a gallon as at present.
The few grocers in Los Angeles who
have permits to sell liquor with gro
ceries will be notified to appear and
state their side of the matter.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
MUNICIPAL RAILROAD Is
WASHED OUT BY STORM
Council Grants Authority to Expend
$1,000 to Repair Tracks in Red
Rock Canyon

A heavy storm in Red Rock canyon
Monday tore up 1000 feet of the spur
track railroad belonging to the city of
Los Angeles. When news was received
of this accident yesterday the board Of
public works Immediately asked the
city council for authority to expend
$1,000 to repair the track, and as soon
as the authority was granted took steps
to have the washed out tracks relaid.
The construction of the aqueduct at
points beyond the Red Rock canyon
will be delayed until the track is again
in proper shape, for the city depends
on this spur for transporting cement
and other supplies. AS the Southern
Pacific has a gang of workmen in the
field it is expected it will be but a
short time until the track is again in
good shape.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
CONTRACT LET FOR PAVING
WEST ADAMS WITH ASPHALT

The contract for one of the most
important street improvements of the
current year was let by the board ot
public works yesterday afternoon. This
contract is for the asphalt paving OF
West Adams street from Vermont to
the western city limits.
Fairchild Gilmore Wilton received
the contract their bid being $96,901.20.
The Barber Asphalt company bid on
the contract but asked $100,99O.1S. The
will be S085 feet long.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
TICHENOR CASE SEEMS
SLATED FOR DISMISSAL
Man Accused of Embezzling Funds
from Building and Loan Associa-
ton May Go Free

That the complaint against George
B. Tichenor charging the embezzlement
of $500 from the Continental Building
and Loan association of San Francisco,
of which he was Los Angeles manager,
will be dismissed when the case Is
called for trial September Z, was indi-
Gated by the district attorney in Judge
Davis court yesterday. Tichenor was
tried once on this charge, the jury tali-
ing to agree on a verdict. He contend
ed that the money was due him for
services rendered at the session Of the
legislature two years ago, when efforts
were being made to pass law affect-
ing the Continental company and other
concerns of like character.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
JUDGE FINES THREE MEN
FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT
Complaint Charging Perjury Probably
Will Be Filed Today Against
One of Trio

Fines of $100 each were imposed by
Judge Wilbur yesterday on oscar
chavez. Joseph Reyes and Francesca
Reeves after they had been adjudged
guilty. of contempt The trio, it was
shown by the testimony, attempted to
intimidate Rafella Botillier, IL years
old, witness in the proceedings
against her hister, Susanna Botillier,
charged with incorrigibility. The fines
were paid in each case and the defend
ants were released.
The complaint against Chavez, IN
which he will be charged with perjury
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
Old Fire Fighter in Hospital

Capt. John Roeder one Of the Oldest
members in point of service in the fire
department, was taken to the Sisters
hospital yesterday, very low with
tuberculosis. He has been at Murietta
Hot Springs for the last two weeks,
and friends who saw him there de-
clared he is in the last stages and be-
lieve he has not long to live. Martin
Betkouski, member of the fire COM
mission, is an intimate friend of Cap
tain Roeder and will make an effort to
have the old fire fighter placed on the
pension list if he survives,
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
BEARS TO REPLACE LIONS
ON BUENA VISTA BRIDGE
Wallace Gets OFF Little Joke at Ev-
pense of Colleague Who Pro-
posed Measure

Bears instead of lions are to adorn
the approaches to the new Buena Vista
bridge and viaduct, if the board of pub
lie works follows the recommendation
of the council made yesterday.
The recommendation was made on a
resolution Of Councilman Henry Lyon,
a Native Son. The resolution pointed out
that lions have no special significance
In this state, while the California bear
is known the world over.
"They propose to put two lions on the
bridge approaches-" began Council
man Lyon in explanation of his resolu-
tion.
Two Lyonsi" responded Councilman
Wallace quickly. That will never do!
One Lyon and one Healy would be
better
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
Rastetter pleads guilty

Phillip Rastetter, charged with con-
tributing to the delinquency of Ethel
Mitchell and Lola Murray, inmates Of
the detention home, pleaded guilty in
Judge Wilbur's court yesterday. Clee
Miller, charged jointly with Rastetter.
will, it is understood, follow the ex-
ample of Rastetter and plead guilty
today. Probationary sentences will be
asIxed for
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
PROTEST is DENIED, BUT
PROTESTANTS ARE HAPPY
Find Improvement of Union Avenue
Will Not Be Kind They Had
Anticipated

It is seldom that protestants go
away happy from the council chamber
when their protests are denied, but
the exception occurred yesterday
afternoon in the case of Union avenue.
Proceedings to pave Union avenue
from Eleventh to Washington nave
advanced RAPIDLY and the city engi-
neer's department is prepared to go on
with the work. Yesterday was the
time set for hearing protests against
the improvement and a protest con-
tanning the signatures of about one
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
Gamblers Pay Fines

George Bentley and Ralph Cotton.
two of the men whose gambling places
in Avalon were raided by S. L. Browne
and his men last week, paid fines of
$500 each in Justice Klamroth's court
in Pasadena yesterday. The raids, in
which five men were arrested and
three joints broken up, has netted the
county total of $4,000 in fines.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
Admits Passina Forged Check

A plea of guilty was made by r. j.
Hensley in Judge Davis court yes
terday when he appeared on a charge
of passing a forged check for $3.50.
drawn on the First National bank of
Covina and dated June IL. He will be
sentenced Thursday.
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
Judges Exchange Benches

Judge Crow of the superior court
of Santa Barbara county occupied the
bench in Judge Willis court yesterday
and will again sit in that department
today. Judge Willis is sitting for
Judge Grow, who is disqualified from
trying a two-day case in Santa Bar
bara,
Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-01
Eraser VIII Filed for Probate

The will of the late Edward Fraser,
disposing of an estate valued at $4,000.
was filed for probate in the superior
court yesterday. The property is di-N
vided equally, one-half going to w. w.
Fraser, son, and the remainder to
Ella C. Fraser, daughter of the de-
ceased.