davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
FORMER SUITOR
SHOOTS COUPLE
IN BRIDES ROOM
Desperate Duel Waged by Dis
appointed Man After Break
ing Into Residence
Husband and Wife Wounded and
Assailant Hit by Bullet
While Running Away
[Seecial Dispatch TO The Call

lOPcCtdt OASP0tGH ~ 4 H~ N1-%l
SAN JOSE, Dec. 24-Thirteen shots
were fred in a desperate duel waged
in the bridal chamber OF Mr.. and Mrs.
James Thorton, 162 East street. shortly
after o'clock this morning.
Thornton was slightly wounded IN
two places and his bride may have been
fatally injured.
The intruder was Chris Bitel. a dis
appointed suitOr for the hand OF Mrs
Thornton, who was Mrs Mary E
Brookbanks until the day before yes
terday. He escaped from the place
with only a slight injury in the neck
and was arrested while running away
by Deputy Sheriff Lloyd Burlington.
BiteL is now confined in the county
jail and the newly married couple are
at O'Connor's Anatorium. The prin-
cipals In the tragedy are all well known
in San Jose. Bitel has been employed
in local packing house for some time
and Thornton is connected with a
foundry.
WHIRLWIND COURTsHIP
Bite1 was supposed to be engaged to
Mrs. Brookbanks and had been fire.
quently in her company for two years
A few days ago Thornton appeared
upon the scene, and after a whirlwind
courtship. won the heart and hand OF
the woman. Unknown to Bitel they
obtained a marriage license Thursday
and were married the same day by Jus
tice OF the Peace J. T. Wallace Of this
city.
This morning BiteI heard of the we'd
ding, and. arming himself, went TO
Thornton's home. There was a crash
as he went through the front door and
a few seconds later he was shooting
at the couple in their bedroom.
He fired five shots before Thornton,
bleeding profusely, could drag himself
across the room and reach his own
weapon. He reloaded his pistol and
fired three more shots before Thornton
opened fire.
Bitel then fed. Thornton emptied
his pistol, but only one bullet hit the
mark, grazing the fleeing mans neck
Mrs. Thornton was wounded IN the
neck, leg and shoulder, and her hus-
band is suffering from injuries in the
neck and leg.
Mrs. Thornton was the widow Of
Thomas Brookbanks. a well known
contractor OF this city who was killed
IN an auto accident in the Santa Cruz
mountains about five years ago. She
owns considerable property here.
AssAILANT COURTS DEATH
The condition Of the rooms in which
the shooting occurred bears testimony
10 the Jury OA the HSuI ludb was WdSeQ
between the two men. Large revOlvers
were used, and the heavy bullets lit
orally knocked furniture to pieces and
stripped the walls OF plaster.
BiteI talked freely OF the shooting
to the deputy sheriff and District At
tOrney Free His dog followed him to
the county jail and at his request was
locked up with him. The man offered
the jai1er s100 if he would hang him
or allow him to hang himself.
James Thornton is a brother OF Dan
iel Thornton, who has been connected
with the City store in this city for the
last 20 years, and Of Walter Thornton,
a priest living at the Los Gatos novi-
tiate.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
YAMAGUCHI CHECK
Was A FORGERY
Captain of Detectives Petersen
Tells of Letters Mrs. Star
buck Received

OAKLAND. Dec. 24.-Captain OF De-
tectives W. ]. Petersen in explaining a
report from Santa Rosa that a $500
check was in the possession Of the au-
thorfties there which was made by an
Oakland woman for the purpose of en-
abling the suspected Japanese Henry
Yamaguchi, to escape, said today that
series of anonymous letters had been
written to Mrs. Henry Starbuck after
the disappearance of the japanese, for
merly in her employ and suspected of
the murder of the Kendall family in
Cazadero.
Petersen said that Immediately after
the discovery of the tragedy Mrs. Star
buck received number of letters, most
of them threatening, and that among
the letters was one containing a check
for $500 drawn in favor of Yamaguchi
and to which Mrs. Starbuck's name had
been forged. Petersen investigated and
located the author of the forgery. a
woman, but Mrs. Starbuck refused to
prosecute.
Petersen is of the opinion that the
check referred to in the report is the
one which has been declared a for
gerry.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
1900 Troops on Way
ROUND and round
SPINS GIDDY BUSH

Throngs of children yesterday en-
joyed to the utmost the wonderful re-
volving Christmas tree in the tapestry
room of the ST. Francis hotel. Its
myriad lights. its profusion of toys and
mechanical marvels, the moving rail-
road train, the fleet of battleships in
motion, the toy whales and fish. and the
real live frogs were sources of bound
less delight to the little ones and the
big ones who saw them
The tree is perhaps the most remark
able one ever seen anywhere, and has
won much praise for its designer
Charles Hightower, formerly chief en-
ginar at the Union iron works. 1t
stands 40 feet high, and has no less
than 1,200 varicolored lights upon it
The racecourse at its base, over which
miniature automobiles vie with one an
other, Is not the least of its wonders
The great tree will be kept in mo-
tion for the rest of this week, and Man
aged James Woods of the hotel has ex-
tended general invitation to children
to come and see 1t.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
HANDLING OF Thug
VIGOROUSLY Shown
Aged But Agile Physician, at
Courts Word, Repeats
PummeIing

CHICAGO, Dec 24.-Dr. Patrick H.
Hayes, so years old but athletic. sound
~ pummeled a man in Judge Hines
court today and was unrebuked for the
surprising attack II came about in
this manner
When Doctor Hayes was attacked by
Edward Meyers, an alleged piclxpocket
and holdup man, Friday night the ply
sician punched Meyers until the latter
cried quits. Then Doctor Hayes called
q policeman and had Meyers taken TO
jail
What did you do. doctor, when this
man tried 20 rob you2" asked the court
today when Meyers was arraigned for
trial.
without making a reply Doctor Hayes
jumped at Meyers with the agility Of a
boy. seized the prisoner by the collar
OF his coat, threw him against a bench,
struck him repeated blows with
cleuched fists and wound up by hurting
Meyers to the floor and sitting on him.
There, judge, that's what / did" said
Doctor Hayes. as he loosened his hold
on thief frightened prisoner. Meyers. who
is Sz years old. was held to theg rand
jury on. bonds OF $1,000.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
DNKS GOLDEN VOICE STILLS TPM=f1C IN THE VICINITY
MERRY THRONOS
INVADE STREETS
Thousands Join in Holiday Parade While
Many Others Patronize the Cafes

awaiting her coming. They sat in i'm
patience for a long time, but the diva
had done her singing for the night
The crowd had at least the satisfaction
of hearing the carol singers, who ap-
peared at that hotel at IL o'clock
GUESTS GIVEN SOUVENIRS
No particular features marked the
night at the cafe-save the big crowds.
AT the Techau tavern each guest was
presented with a souvenir. The ma
jority of the cafes had Christmas trees
OF varying sizes and they all allowed
the fun of the evening to emenate from
the merry makers. And the fun was
Forthcoming. 1t was Of the nature
which marks New Year eve celebra-
tion-but rather of the quiet, carelessly
happy Rorder which prevailed outside.
shouting, none of the spontaneous
mirth Life was rather a pleased
chuckle than a laugh Here and there
a tinge Of religious atmosphere was
given to the occasion by the singing Of
the "Atestate Fidelis." and the spec
tators responded to the spirit Of the
moment with the instant realization Of
bdO 4ACdilAllB OI the day.
The stores were kept open until late
at night. and. until their closing mo-
ments, were thronged with purchasers
A new Christmas day had been born
for several hours as the last strag-
g1ers congregated at the street corners
for the owl cars.
DINNER PARTIES GIVEN
The dinner party was the popular
form of diversion at the Palace, and
those who did not go out Of town for
the holiday entertained informally at
dinner last evening. Among those who
had guests were:
Mr. .sa. and Mrs Mrs Joseph Ray Asmsby So,
Mr.. and Mrs. G. "A. M. Smith
Moreland DR.. Langley Porter
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank C. W. Kellogg
There was a merry throng at Tait's
last evening after the Tetrazzini con-
cert, and among those who entertained
were Mrs. Herman Oelriehs and her
son. Herman Oelriehs Jr. r. NJ Tobin
was host at supper party and among
others who entertained informally
were:
Leon Roos Edward Wagner
Melville SWitzer A. l.. Meyer
Morris Meyerfeld Alexander Young
1. Rosenthal Judge Frank II.
George Newman kerrigan
Robert Tibbitts
Senator Francis G.. Newlands OF Ne
vada had a party of friends at the
Portola-Louvre cafe, and among the
scores of others who entertained par
ties after the concert were:
A. F.. Williams Sam Morrissey
James K Polk Max Todlech
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry James B. Duffy
Garcia Ray BENJAMIN
E. L. Leigh I. Dannenbaum
Charles Carroll s. Sander
NJ Meyerfeld Jr. Max Dill
A. W. Voorsanger Judge J. J. Van
z. Elkus Nostrand
DR.. Otto Westphal 81. G. Dinkelspiel
r. L Fargo Joe Eber
Barney GaIland c. Swanberg
Robert II. Madden II. W. WestphaI
lessee Meyerfeld Alfred Meter.
Leon Nordman
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25

welcome fade into an eevryday greet
ing.
From the moment she stepped on the
platform until she disappeared in the
night the crowd was all Tetrazzinis
1t responded to every twinkle of her
eloquent eyes. every wiggle OF her
agile fingers, every nod OF her head
and when she waved her arms the null
titude swayed.
Tetrazini's pantomime was almost as
marvellous as her voice. She made
every man. woman and child In that
crowd feel that she had taken them
UP in her arms and lhugged them to her
ample bosom. She was glad to be
there. She loves San Francisco and she
made no bones about saying so in sign
language that spoke more plainly than
anything but Tetrazzinrs singing
voice could have done.
SINGERS SPELL KEEPS ORDER
Another wonderful thing about that
crowd was the way every soul in it
was a self appointed committee Of one
to preserve order. If Chief of Police
where, they would never have been
missed. Tetrazzini had hypnotized the
multitude and for the time a condi-
ton prevailed that belongs to the age
Aof the millennium or perhaps 1t was
the spirit of Christmas that had be-
come something more than a sentiment
under the magic of the singers spell.
Whatever it was it worked a miracle
last night.
When it was all over the crowd melted
away, and in the process of melting fur
nished another spectacle that was like
more magic. Without apparently grow
ing any thinner it expanded In every
direction until every avenue leading
from the platform for blocks around
was solid with humanity.
The crowd did not join. as had been
hoped, in the singing of For Auld Lang
Syne" but of all the "old acquaint-
ances" that never will be forgotten
Tetrazzini will forever. in San Fran
cisco. stand at the head of the front
row.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
F'Ra9AT e

With the echo of the dfya's great
voice ringing in their ears and in their
hearts the music Of yuletide, with its
wealth Of joyous notes. it's thrills of
laughter, the city throngs by the thou
sand and the hundred thousand Iiotered
in the Christmas morn with the unre-
strained jollity OF San Francisco with
night the crowds were in the streets.
Long after the stores had closed they
marched UP and down before the win
dows. The sheer beauty of the night
drew them forth and kept them out As
the night hours advanced an i'm
promptu spirit of carnival swept
through the city. The emptying streets
resounded with laughter. From the
open doors of the cafes the crash Of
music and the boom of choruses.
SCENES CAUSE DELIGHT
The objective point of the crowd
seemed to be Union square. There
couples sought the benches or the grass
lawns. The flow of eastern tourists and
travellers from the st. Francis hotel
gazed in wonder and delight at the
good natured and a trifle lazy and tired.
1t lay back and took life easy. No chill
wind spurred it into activity, no snow
or tingling frost droye<it forward to
shelter of roof and house. It sought the
open air. 1t raided the flower stands.
There was a touch of violets In the air.
The fasteners seeing It commented
freely Groups of them gathered In
front of the ST. Francis hotel to watch
the throng in Union square. From the
opposite end of the park q chorus Of
young voices was lifted up In Aud
Lang Syne" and the crowd picked it
up. The song ended in a burst Of
laughter and the crowd lazily passed
along.
These was no hurry nor hustle nor
noise IN the crowd. Before it stretched
two full days of holiday. Its shouting
had finished with the roar of farewell
as Tetrazzini faded from sight and it
spent the evening just lazily loaf1ng.
MANY VISIT ST. FRANCIS
The st. Francis received the biggest
share. Durin gthe entire evening two
streams of persons passed in and out
of the place. The attractions there
lay in the mammoth Christmas tree
and the Carol singers. The crowd
listened, watched and approved. At
midnight the lights in the tapestry
room were lowered for an instant and
the tree stood forth in all its glory
revolving with its hundreds of lights
and its wonderful toys. AS the lights
sprang up again shout followed and
q few moments later was converted
into a song-the old favorite. AUD
Lang Syne.''
Many of those who heard the diva in
the streets followed her into the Palace
hotel. They pressed around her, ap-
plauding and clappfng, shouting out
the sa1utations of the season. She
bowed again and again and swept
through the ranks kissing her hands,
smiling her thanks.
A rumor became current that she
would sing at the Palace, and a great
number poured into the courtyard
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
CENSUS APPORTIONMENT
SCHEME is COMPLETED
Congressional Plan to Receive
Immediate Consideration

WASHINGTON. Dec. 24.-The census
congressional apportionment scheme
will be before the house committee on
census for consideration between now
and the reassembling OF congress jan
uary 5. Chairman Crumpacxer OF that
committee has had printed the statis-
tical tables prepared by the census
bureau showing the effects OF various
bases of apportionment on the repre-
sentation Of the different states These
will be mailed to members OF the COM
mittee who are at their homes or are
in Washington for the holidays. This
is designed to expedite the considera-
tion Of the plan, so that when that body
meets every member will have had
time to go over the tables thoroughly
and be better prepared for action on
the proposal to report the bin TO the
house at this session.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
KEEFE CRITICISES
LABOR BY FILIPINOS
Says Undesirable Class Is Im=
ported to Hawaii

HONOLULU, Dec. 24.-Daniel ].
Keefe, commissioner general of immi-
grafton, who has been invistigating the
immigration and labor problem in the
Hawaiian islands. sailed for San Fran
cisco today on the Pacific Mail liner
Mongolia. In an interview before his
departure, the commissioner general
severely criticized the Importation of
Filipinos by the sugar planters, and
declared that they were not a desirable
class of laborers for the islands.
Keefe had words of praise for the
Russian immigrants brought from ST.
IBERIA. and considered them more de-
sirable than the Filipinos, but stated
that the immigration of Americans
from the mainland would best solve
both the labor problem and the Ameri-
canization Of the islands, so much de-
sired.
The coming here OF Americans. how
ever, in the opinion of the commits
sioner. was dependent upon higher
wages than are now being paid in the
Islands
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
CONVICTED BANKER DIES
ON GAINING HIS FREEDOM
j. j. Lowden Expires Soon After
Reaching Home

FORT WORTH. Tex. Dec. 24-Pa-
rolled Wednesday from the federal
prison at Atlanta, to which he was
sentenced for alleged violation OF the
federal banking laws, Jones ]. Low
den, former president OF the American
national bank OF Abilene. Tex, reached
his home here at 1880 o'cloc kthis aft
ernoon and his death was announced
at 1880 o'clock tonight.
His death is attributed to heart fail
ure
In the failure of the bank, Of which
he was president. Lowden sacrificed ali
of his property in the effort 10 satisfy
the demands of the depositors.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
FOOD ACCEPTED BY
FRESNO PRISONERS
Industrial Workers Finally
Break Voluntary Fast of
Three Days
[Special Dispatch 10 The Call

FRESNO, Dec. 24.-After refusing
food for three days. the members of
the l. w. w. in the county jail today
accepted for the first time a full meal
from the authorities. There was no
semblance of any disturbance and it is
believed now that no further trouble
viii be experienced.
On their promise to behave the MEM
bers of the / w. W. were today given
dry clothes and dry bedding after the
drenching they received last night at
the hands OF a fire engine.
Two of those lodged in jail gave mn
the fight today and appeared before
Police Judge Briggs. pleading guilty
TO vagrancy charges. They were told
to leave the city. The officers believe
the punishment inflicted last night has
broken the spirit of the industrialists.
and more are expected to plead guilty
so as to be able to leave town.
Three attempts were made today to
speak on the streets.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
TAFT, LIKE ALL OF US,
EATS TURKEY TO-DAY
There Will Be No Christmas
Tree at White House

WASHINGTON. Dec. 24.-Like most
other folks, family reunion and a.
turkey dinner viii be the features of
President Taft's Christmas. After at
tending church in the morning the
president will spend the day surrounded
by his family. All three of the Taft
children are in Washington, and will
spend the holidays at the White House
in pursuance of the universal custom Of
family reunions at yuletide
The presidents children have passed
the Christmas tree and Santa Claus age,
and for that reason there will be no
present laden spruce at the White
House.
The White House has missed the
novelty of the Christmas tree since the
early days of the Roosevelt administra-
tion.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
HOBBLE SKIRT TO
BE BIFURCATED
PetticOats Doomed, Say Paris
Dress Makers, Who Will
Introduce PantalOOns
Especial Gable 10 The Call

PARIS. Dec. Pit is announced here
that the successor TO the hobble skirt
has arrived. and that it is an exact
reproduction of the dress worn by Tur-
kish women, minus the veil.
Loosesfitting pantaloons fashioned as
elegantly as possible Will be fastened
close at the ankles.
A well known Arm of Paris dress
makers will launch the models Of this
costume. They say that the petticoat is
doomed
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
CANTOR REELECTED
BY CONGREGATION

Rev. Joseph Sommerstein, cantor Of
the Congregation William Wolf, 14l1
Geary street, has been reelected can
tor by the members of the congregation.
Though the Rev. Mr.. Sommerstein's
term is not completed. the congrega-
ton, as a token Of esteem, held an ad-
vance election. The election will usher
IN q term beginning in August Of
1871 and expiring In August OF 1912
CLoTEIER BAEKRUPT-Leopold Schoenfeld
& clothier OF this city, petitioned the United
states district court yesterday to be declared
bankrupt He has property valued at S546
while his liabilities are So ,o09.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
FLANDERS NEARs REcoRD

LOS ANGELES. Dec. 24.-The Elan
ders twenty which is attempting to
break the worlds nonstop automobile
record record of 10,2SO miles. at IL
o'clock tonight had covered $3.50 miles.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
POST OF ASSISTANT
SECRETARY ACCEPTED

COLUMBUS, O.. Dec. 24.-Secretarv
of State Carmi A. Thompson, whose
home is at Ironton. o.. today announced
his acceptance of the post Of assistant
secretary of the interior The place
was offered him some time ago bv
President Taft. Many years ago he
was coal miner
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
EsroPPEY HASN'T STOPPED YE1

Los ANGELES. Dec 24.-Eugene
Estoppey, who is attempting to run
1000 miles in as many hours at Venice.
completed his eight hundred and
twenty-f1fth mile at O'clock tonight.
Estopped is in good condition and is
sausned ne VIII complete the task New
Years eve, according to schedule This
feat has been accomplished walking
but for running GA miles was the hest
previous record.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
POLICE DO WELL
With Big CROWD
Every Possible Precaution Is
Taken to Prevent Injury to
Life and Property
Continued From Page al

crowd, until after the streets were
comparatively cleared.
The quiet obedience to the com
mands of the police. the silent respect
shown to the comfort of those about
them. the sincere and deep admiration
and appreciation manifested for the
voice of Nine. Tetrazzini, followed by
the thunderous applause at the proper
time, marked the mighty gathering at
last nights concert as the most re-
markable ever assembled.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25

wounded. The latter were checked in
their charge in an arroyo where they
sustained most of their losses. Six of
them remained at their post until all
were killed.
During the fighting of Thursday and
Friday the shells OF the federals did
no damage. The revolutionistS in time
began to treat them with contempt.
The Mausers were the effective weap-
ons used by the national troops. The
shrapnel used, instead of scattering as
desig gned to do, through some defect
spoutej like fountains. One of the
shells burst within 20 feet of a de-
tachment without doing any damage.
Word from Navarro's camp states that
the general grew incensed at the gun
merry.
The insurrecto detachment which
shot up the troop train at the eastern
entrance to Nal Paso numbered about
200 men.
The ambuscade cost the enemy two
killed and two wounded. The federal
loss is now known to have been about
81 killed and II wounded.
Juarez Faces Battle
WASHINGTON. Dec 24.-Confrma-
tion of press reports that the revolu-'
tion is swinging back toward the
frontier appears in a telegram received
at the state department from Consul
Edwards at Ciudad Juarez.
He reports the seizure of an Ell Paso
and Northwestern train by a band of
insurgents last Thursday about 20
miles outside the city, the engines and
one car being turned back and going
south toward the disturbed territory
The consul says the passengers were
treated kindly, not even the money in
the express car being molested. The
telegraph wires were cut, but no prop
erty was injured and such provisions
and ammunition as were taken were
paid for.
Edwards further reports that an at
tack on Juarez is expected soon, but no
anxiety is felt by the foreign popula-
ton.
1900 Troops ON Way
CHIHUAHUA, Mex, Dec 24-Two
trains carrying 1900 troops left here
this morning to reinforce General Ma
varro Their first task, difficult one.
will be to take Nal Paso. The troop
trains reached Bustillos this afternoon
without incident. No fighting is ex-
pected before Monday at the latest.
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
DIED

oO1LAAN-In this city. December a the be-
loved son Of Dora and the late Harris Coleman
nc loving brother Of Louis, Alexander and
Mrs. r. Behrend, & native Of Calveras. aged
The San Francisco call., 1910-12-25
TETRAZZINI SWAYS
IMMENSE THRONG
Spectacle Almost Impossible at
Christmas in Any Other
American City
Clear Night Makes Overcoats
Neither Necessity Nor
membranes

Continued From Page 81