davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
WEDDING RING AS AN
INSTRUMENT OF TORTURE
Strange Custom Once Prevalent
on Isle of Man

In the Isle of Man the wedding ring
was formerly used as an instrument of
torture. Cyril Davenport in his book
on "Jewelry." remarks that there once
existed custom in that island, "ac-
cording to which an unmarried girl
who had been offended by man could
bring him to trial. and if he were
found guilty she would be presented
with a sword. rope and a ring, says
the London Chronicle. With the sword
she might cut off his head, with the
rope she might hang him, or with the
ring she might marry him. It is said
that the latter punishment was that in
variably inflicted.
The wedding ring, which was toler-
ated by the Methodists, was anathema
to the early Puritans. who regarded
personal adornment as one Of the many
snares of Satan. Wesley, who was a
high church man, probably recognized
its symbolical value. In the old Eng
lish marriage service ii was the custom
for the bridegroom to put the ring on
the thumb OF the bride, saying In
the name of the Father" and then on
the next finger, saying, and the Son.
then on the third finger, saying. "and
of the Holy Ghost" finally on the
fourth finger. with the word Amen"
The ring was left there, because, as
the Sarum rubric says. "a vein proceeds
thence to the heart In the modern
marriage service the ring is placed at
once upon the third finger, the invoca-
ton to the Trinity being understood.
The wedding ring was the only form
Of jewelry permitted to the early
Methodists, and there are people still
living who recall how no longer than
40 years ago they were reproved by old
Methodist ministers for breaking the
rules of membership which forbade
Cand technically still forbid) Methodists
to wear gold. Jewels or costly apparel,
but with fine courtesy John Wesley
knew when to ignore breaches of his
own regulations.
In visiting a house one of the preach
ers drew Wesley's attention to the
hosts daughter. who was wearing sew
eral jeweled rings; but instead of the
rebuke which his preacher sought to
evoke Wesley only gravely and gently
renna rked. "A very beautiful hand"
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
LONDON'S UNDERGROUND
WATER DISAPPEARS 6
Fall Averages Over Three Feet
Each Year

The discovery OF bountiful stream
Of pure water beneath Holbron, which
is providing by means OF an artesian
boring z well known firm with an
abundant supply, may tempt others to
tap beneath their premises. though a
peculiarity o. London's underground
water is that while one boring taps
it without any trouble another close
by may prove a failure, says the West
minister Gazette One fact stands out
clear, however. and that is that the
water Level is steadily falling and
borings consequently have to be sunk
tinually lower. This has been most
marked in the case of the fountains
in Trafalgar square. which are sup
piled, not from a big underground
lake" as so many believe, but from
two artesian borings. one in front Of
the national gallery and the other in
orange street, the overflow being taken
TO the lake in St. James park The
average yearly fall of the water here
was for many years about three feet.
but quite recently the fall in nine
months amounted 10 no less than
13 feet
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
PRICE OF Gypsy GIRL
DISCLOSED IN COURT
Pretty Bride Brings Father
Sum of $500

The price of a pretty gypsy bride was
disclosed in Police Judge ShortalIs
court yesterday during the trial of
Mitchell Bonovich and Joseph Stanley,
charged with disturbing the peace 1t
720 Jackson street Thursday night.
Bonovich was divorced from his gypsy
wife and she married again. Bonovich
and Stanley went to her home and
raised a disturbance. One of the wit
nesses was Mrs. Julia Bonorisch, a
pretty girl 18 years of age, and she told
the judge that she was the daughter of
Bonovich, who had sold her to her hus-
band for $780, Bonovich's divorced wife
refused to swear to a complaint and
the cases were dismissed.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
"MAMMY" PLEASANTS
WILL is PROBATED
Negress Leaves Estate to Olive
and Lyman Sherwood

The will of Nanny" Pleasant, the
negro house keeper of Thomas Bell in
whatshas been known since Bells un-
explained death as the "house of mys-
terry, was admitted to probate by
Judge Coffey yesterday. more than six
years after 1t was filed The will stated
that the testatriX had no relatives and
left everything of which the old
negress died possessed to her friends,
Olive +. Sherwood and Lyman NJ. Sher-
wood. The last named was appointed
executor of the will
The estate, according to the petition
of Sherwood, consists of a Sonoma
county ranch known as the Crosby
ranch, consisting of 146 acres and GER
tain deeds and securities in a safe de-
posit box in the Donohoe- Kelly bank
Mrs. Teresa Bell claims the Crosby
ranch and the contents of the safe de-
post box. and litigation between her
and the Sherwoods is promised. The
estate is said to be worth less than
$4,000.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
SUES INSOLNENT BANK
FOR OVER SIOO, 900
Unexpected Claims Are Made
Against Safe Deposit Company

Unexpected claims against the in
solvent California safe deposit and
trust company totalling over 100000
were made yesterday in two suits filed
by the Western construction company
One of the suits is to recover 10000
alleged to have been advanced to j
Dalzell Brown by President Haas of
the construction company a few days
before the bank closed it's doors.
The other claim is for $67 500. stated
to be the value of 1000 shares of the
Western construction company, now
among the assets of the insolvent
bank. The construction company claims
the bank never paid for these shares,
and seeks to recover their value.
Attorney J. V. de Laveag ga, represent
ing the receiver, stated yesterday that
these claims were an utter surprise to
him and that he had heard nothing OF
them prior to the fling of the suits
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
VETERAN EDUCATOR ON
A TOUR OF THE COAST
Prominent Business College
President Visits i'm Oakland

OAKLAND. April 15.-Dr. ID. l.. Mus
selman, president of the Gem City busi-
ness college of Quincy. ILL.,, the largest
college of it's kind in America, has been
visiting the business colleges of the
Pacific coast, the presidents of which
are nearly all graduates of the Gem
City business college and received their
schooling at the hands of President
MuSSelman.
He said that the coast colleges are
among the most excellent schools in
commercial education in this country.
At the Gem City business college at
Quincy there are over 1900 students
enrolled from different sections of the
country.
Doctor Musselman is 6S years old and
has been president of the college for IL
years. He is visiting with his sister,
Mrs. Josephine Henninger, at her bun
galow. $40 Thirty eighth street, Oak
land.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
FAME WATTS LONG
TO crown ARTIST
Picture by Franz Halls, Who Died
in POOrhOuse Centuries Ago,
Brings $50O,0OO

When Franz Halls. the patrician
painter of HARLEM. died at a great
age in an almshouse in his native
town. he had long been out of fash
ion. He had enjoyed success during
his active period, and the wonderful
portrait groups of respectable burgh-
ers and members OF various civic So
cieties that are now the chief glory of
HARLEM show that he did not lack
public recognition, says the Philadel-
phia Public Ledger. He was, indeed
the comrade Of these prosperous men.
But the general estimation placed him
below many inferior painters. and in
he was almost forgotten. 1t is really
only within our own time that his
actual mastery has been recognized.
LEADER AMONG PAINTERS
His name stands now, with that Of
Rembrandt. at the head of the great
list Of Dutch painters, and his works
command as high prices from collect
OTIS as those of Rembrandt. Of Wales
quez or Of Titan. Indeed, the S500,0 ,00o
said 10 have been paid by a New York
banker for his picture of himself and
his f. mily is believed to be the highest
price ever given for a single painting
II IS 4 sum beyond the dreams not
only Of Halls himself, but of all the
comfortable gentlemen in black clothes
and white ruffs and blue ribbons who
were his patrons
As prices go nowadays this is not un-
reasonab BILE If Franz Halls did not at
tain the highest summit his place is
surely with the highest. and it was he
who. as Bode well said, raised Dutch
portrait painting from the simple rem
dering Of the likeness OF an individual
into the region Of great art While his
portraits are individual they are trans
fused with his own individuality, with
tne strength. the style, the vitality.
They are the most imposing records
that we have OF the assertive character
OF the men who made the great history
OF The Netherlands.
CAPRICE OF FASHION
No doubt there is some element OF
fashionable caprice in the eagerness
with which his works are sought by
rich collectors. The great pictures in
the Dutch galleries and in other public
collections in Europe are not accessible.
and a really fine Halls does not often
come into the market. When it does
IL is worth precisely as much a. il win
nrluS-HS mucu, lhat Is, as anEboug
who has money enough is willing to
give for il.
II is probable that in the course of
time the best examples Of this as of
other Dutch masters. at least outside
II Holland. viii be found in this coun-
try. and il may be hoped that event
uauy most Of them viii be seen in pub
ii- galleries. This is one OF the many
ways in which our rich men are serv-
ing their day and generation and the
generations yet TO come.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
OLYMPIC GAMES
AT. EXPOSITION
Greatest Contests in History of
World Planned to Celebrate
Canal Opening
Sentiment Throughout State
Enthusiastic Over the
1915 Fair

Olympic games, of greater magnitude
than those held in London and Athens,
will be one of the features of the
Panama Pacific exposition to be held
here in 1915, and John H. Hammersmith
is corresponding already with those in
terested in big athletic meets of this
type. with the purpose of having them
take part.
The vast success and popularity of
the games in London and Athens had
led to the firm belief that such an event
would in itself draw thousands to San
Francisco. The great argument for
holding them is that climatic conditions
of California would lend itself favor
ably to the games, Notwithstanding
what time of year in which they were
held. While no definite action regard
ing the matter has been taken as yet
by the directors and governing COM
mittees of the exposition the idea is
generally favored, and there is but
little doubt that it will be put into
practical execution when 1t becomes
necessary to do so.
The games, it is planned, are to be
on a more extensive scale than any
other athletic meet which the world
has seen. Sports and contests of every
conceivable kind will be included. The
probabilities are that by the time the
year of the exposition rolls around air
ships will have seen a great improve
ment and aerial trials will form one of
the spectacular features of the occa-
sion.
1t is proposed to get the worlds
champions of the time together and
have run once more a Marathon race
open to the world
Apart from the Olympic games will
be still another sensational feature in
the holding of scores of conventions
here. The plan is to have every possi-
BILE organization and society which
holds a convention in 1915 to do so in
San Francisco, and while it is too
early yet for any detailed announce
ments the indications are that the
scheme Will be successful in every way.
The preliminary reports of those can
vassing the field declare that the senti-
ment throughout the state is extremely
enthusiastic over the forthcoming ex-
position, and that one of the noticeable
points is a spirit of drawing the vari-
Gus factions of the state into a single
whole for the betterment of California.
The success or failure of the expo
sition. said A. w. Scott Jr., will de-
pend to large extent upon the senti-
ment of the state, and from all reports
it is overwhelmingly in favor of the
exposition. There is a spirit of unity
being developed on account of the ex
position which can not help but work
for the good of the state"
Sell Stock for Fair
NEW ORLEANS. April 15.-Stock
subscriptions to the Worlds. Panama
exposition, scheduled to be held in New
Orleans in 1915 to commemorate the
completion of the Panama canal, have
now reached nearly 100000. and it is
declared by those in charge of the
movement that the s1,000,000 mark. the
goal aimed for, will soon be attained
It is proposed to raise an additional
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
Sell Stock for Fair
ACCOUNTING ORDERED
OF COMPREHENSIVE
James G. Mcguire Cited on Pc
tition of Mrs. HOux

James c. Maguire, lawyer and former
congressman. was cited by Judge Cof-
fey yesterday, on the petition of Nettie
Nelson Houx widow of the John T.
Houx, Maguires former partner. to
render an account in court on April 26,
1910, of the assets of the copartner-
ship.
a petition to have William Ladd re-
moved from the position of executor of
the estate of Benjamin Healey, who
left an estate appraised at nearly $780,
900, was filed with the superior court
yesterday by Mary Kenely and Eliza
beth A. Keefe. The petitioners are
executrices of the estate of Susan
Keefe, and as such have been endeavor-
ing to collect a claim of s3,6S7 against
the Healey estate.
Because of Ladd's failure to sell cer-
tain real estate to raise cash to pay
the debt they want him removed.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
JUDGE MEETS MATCH
IN EIGHT YEAR OLD
Court Unable to Persuade Boy
to Converse With Mother

Judge Mogan met more than his
match yesterday when he tried to per-
suade Carsten Sonniksen, boy of s
years, to speak to his mother, who is
now Mrs. Lillian Bergen. The child's
parents are divorced, and both have re-
married. The boy lives with his father
and stepmother, but his mother has
permission to visit him and take him
out walking every Saturday and SUM-
day. Young Carsten has refused to go
with her. and she had Sonniksen and
his present wife in court yesterday to
prove that they had not poisoned her
sons mind against her.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
SHIP BUILT IN 1923
is STILL SAILING SEA
Denmark Possesses Ten Most
Ancient Vessels

What is the oldest ship in the world,
and still in active service2 According
to Paris contemporary, the mercan-
tile marine of Denmark possesses 10
ancient vessels varying from II to 6S
tons. the oldest of which was built in
1923. and the youngest in 1910. They
are all engaged in carrying granite and
other heavy cargo in the Baltic and
North seas. The name of the eldest
sister" is the Constance. of 81 TONS so
il has seen 1876 summers. ii is almost
needless TO add that these ancient sis
ters' are constructed OF wood.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16

The foregoing figures show that the
i countries included in the list have
q little less than 10000 miles Of rail
way. the combined mileage being less
than that Of the United States The
greatest per cent Of increase during
the three years is shown in 1907, which
was 4.55 per cent.
in most OF the countries included in
the foregoing list. the governments
either own or control the majority Of
the railways. OF the 2.39l miles of
road in Switzerland. 1856 miles are
owned and operated by the federal gov
eminent
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
BEGINNING OF IRON
AGE is IN DOUBT
May Have Originated in Central
Europe

The iron age is commonly believed to
have begun in Africa or Asia. The
latest Investigations, according to the
Chicago Tribune, prove that it was not
worked in Egypt until the ninth CEN
tury before the Christian era, or in
Libya until $50 3. c., that the Semites
adopted it's use still later, and that it
has been known in Uganda only with
the last five or six centuries. In China
iron is mentioned in 400 b. c. Bronze
weapons were employed in China until
100 A. D. and in Japan until 700 A. D.
According to a John Ridgeway. who
has investigated this subject, the metal
lurgy of iron must have originated in
central Europe, especially in Noricum,
which approximately represented mod
ern Austria and Bavaria. Only at Hall
stett and in Bosnia and Pennsylvania
from which countries the Achaians and
Dorians are supposed to have migrated
to Greece, are found evidences of a
gradual introduction of iron, at first as
an ornament applied to the bronze.
which it ultimately displaced. Every
where else iron was introduced sud
denly, a fact which implies foreign
origin.
Meteoric iron was known in Egypt
in remote antiquity. but no doubt it
was worked as f1ints were worked. by
cutting or chipping, and was not smelt-
ed. In other words, it was the metal
lurgy. not the knowledge of iron, that
originated in central Europe.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
RAILROADS OF EUROPE
SHOW LITTLE PROGRESS
Fourteen Countries Have Less
Mileage Than United States

The following statement. furnished
by Consul General r. E. Mansfield OF
Zurich. shows the railway mileage in
d. Of the European countries. with the
per cent Of increase in the totals from
7q0- +o 1qoq inclusive
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
NEPHEWS AND NIECES
WILL SHARE IN ESTATE

The nephews and nieces of the late
Joseph Goetz will share. with his other
heirs, $4,000 of the estate. the district
court of appeal so ruling in decision
yesterday.
Goetz, in his will, left his nephews
and nieces real estate, declaring he
made them no money bequests, as the
former was ample and sufficient.
In separate clause OF his will he
declared that should there be any resi-
due It should be divided equally among
the heirs.
After his several bequests had been
settled there still remained $4,000.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16
RAILROAD CASHIER INDICTED

ment against Winfield Scott Crandau for the
embezzlement of S4os,s7 from the Santa Fe
railway company, by which he was employed as
freight cashier. returned By the Rrsrd
jury in Presiding Judge Van Nostrand's court
arrest Of the defendant. When last heard of
Crandall was in Texas
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16

RED MEN WILL DANCE-The local tribes Of
the Improved 0rder of Red Men and the
councils of the Begree of pocahoatas will give
ball in Red Mems building tonight
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16


There were in Russia in 1908 2.676
vodka breweries, one fiscal spirit dis
tillery and 43 sections of the same. 511
private distilleries, 26 reserve stores
and 27,402 shops for the sale of vodka.
The total amount of vodka sold during
the year was 232,S13.382 gallons. a
consumption of 166 gallons per capita.
1t may not be generally known that
child suicides, so numerous in Ger
many are nearly as common in Russia
During 1907 some 400 children under 16
years of age are said to have taken
their lives in Russia
JAPAN AND KOREA
The undersigned would take charge
of party for trip through the orient
Have been employed by the Japanese
government teaching English for some
time. / can easily secure economies
that will save my charges. I will go
for $50 month. Berkeley references
Rev. Father McKinnon. pastor of the
Alcatraz Roman Catholic church; Rev.
Earl NJ. Wilbur. Hillcrest road
Address Col G. w. Turner, 2642 Ban
croft ayay Berkeley, Cal
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16

Savings on these high grade
imported embroideries are
so vast as to rank far out of
proportion with ordinary
values. Inspection will prove
the goods to be Quality
msEehspdise in every sense,
andswilIProve the values to
be the maximum obtainable
at the prices.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-16

Briefly told, the lot offered IS
utterly complete. involving
edgings, insertions, bands.
corset cover materials, all
overs. demi flouncings,
flouncings, skirtings. etc,
presenting an immeasurable
abundance of fascinating
patterns, richly worked and
firmly finished.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-07-08
BALTIMORE CREWS
IN BIG REGATTA
Ariels and ArundelS Work
ing Hard for National Event
Here August 1918.

BALTIMORE, July S--Ariel aud Arun-
del oarsmen viii be up against the
toughest propositions Of their respective
careers when they compete in the Ma
tionaI Regatta, to be held on the Po-
tomac river on August L and T.
The two local crack Fights have been
entered with the stronEest-armed In
dividuals in North America. and Just
what task is before them can be CLEANED
by glance at the list Of entries in the
eight-oaTed shell race
All the entries in the senior eight
have been received. and the race
should resolve itself into one OF the
ClasSiesJ ever Witnessed In this race
VIII be seen the Ariel and Arundel Boat
Clubs Of Baltimore. ArEouauts OF To-
rOnJO. WiuuipeCS- OF Manitoba. Mime
sofas Of 81. Paul. Wahneyahs Of Flush
ing Nassau 3 @ Of New York, Unions
OF Boston. Harlems Of New York Ala
lantaS Of New York, Naltas, Nespers
and Bachelors of Philadelphia, New
York A G.. and the Potomacs Of Wash
IugtOTs-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-07-08
MEN
PLAY GOOD BALL
Former Amateurs Are Doing
Well in Different Profess
Sional Leagues.

The followers of amateurs. who have
graduated 70 faster teams away from
home VIII be interested TO know that
they are doing well from the last report
This year Washington has sent out
many youngsters Some have stuck.
some have returned dis.susted and some
undaunted. have tried II again There
are those who believe that these young
steTs have it ia theT' to make good and
who always have their interest at heart
Occasionally Washington amateur
ranks have heC men who make good in
the major IeaS es- White and Jakev
Atz. of Chiesss>o.s Arthur DevIin. Of the
Giants, George Browne. now of Chi
caEo, BIZ RaDD. at large but formerly
OF the Nationals. ard Tom Crooks with
others have made names or are IL
present eudeavOTinr to make good with
the DIaiors. and are all graduates Of
amateur. scholastic or college teams in
IYasLins or
Amateur baseball gossip in regard 70
the ability OF the amateur Tavorites as
biz leaguers is the yearly topic about
this time There are those who are loud
in praise OF favorites on every amateur
team Amateurs who sholy promise OF
BY reason Of heavy hitting OF good
fielding. make regulations among the
fans are touted as big league material
Taking into account the numbers who
yearly leave washington for other
teams. and the small percentage who
stick and 20 JIo through the legitimate
channels there is not much room for
speculation as to the trial that the Ma
ti01als should give this or that amateur.
Every little while some amateur fan
has a query as 10 why so and so isn't
given an opportunity with the Nation
ais To those who don't know It may
be said that any yoIuE chap who has
ambition may 80 out and practice with
big league team In the morning. Few
managers VIII overlook any promising
young player these days, and the anna
teurS OF Washington are carefully look
ed over every year
This year Washington amate-rs are
said 10 show promise. A uuut4r have
gone away TO play and some have made
good Fans VIII look over their records
in the hope OF some day being able 70
count them among the stars Of major
icaS ball and more especially - hope
that they play on the Nationals.