Subscribers enjoy higher page view limit, downloads, and exclusive features.
14 ; THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, THURSDAY, HANDWRITINGS IN THE DURRANT CASE Some Interesting Com- parisons Made by an Attorney. A TALK WITH GIBSON.| He Denies That Any Writing on the Ring Package Was Done by Him. A SENSATIONAL TELEGRAM. The Defense to Produce a Witness Who Saw Durrant Enter the Church Alone. That TeE CALL, in its issue of yesterday, outlined correctly and exclusively what the defense in the Durrant case was to comprise and what its sensational features were to be was shown by the opening statement of Eugene Deuprey in behalf of the defendant. The most sensational feature of this was the portion wherein the defendant’s coun- sel said: We will show you, as long as they have intro- duced a paper here with letters on it, that ag compared with letters found in Emmsnuel B ist Church, that th are letters written e Rev. John George Gibson. If we are to act upon suspicions, if we are to be placed in the position you are, by asking you to believe & chain of circumstantial evi: dence that_canuot be supported, then we will show you that there are others who have been cast into suspicion, and worse than the defend- ant. In view of this suspicion thus boldly cast upon the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church and the grounds of it, THE CALL herewith reproducesillustrations of certain nandwritings and an expert’s comparison and analysis of them. It will be recalled that Attorney George ‘W. Monteith was the first person to call the attention of the attorneys for the de- fense to what he asserted was a great and striking similarity between the writing on the wrapper of the package of rings and the fac-simile reproduction of the signature of Rev. J. George Gibson, attached to a statement made by him and reproduced in | TaE CaLL of the 15th of April. Mr. Monteith has now furnished the defense with a comparison and analysis of handwritings known to be those of the Rev. J. George Gibson, the address on the Jackage of rings and the chirography of Theodore H. Durrant, the accused. It is as follows: The proposition involved in the question of the handwriting on the wrappers that in- closed the rings of the ill-fated girl when her aunt received them is one of the mostim- portant in the case. Of course, in making even the hasty analysis 1 do here, it must be borne in mind that the samples of writing at hand are tnose of the man the defense point at with such strong suspicion. There are two setsof writing on the wrapper— Iflm. that which constitute the address, as fol- ows: Mrs WoBL r;og - EJL\% (o Figure A. In the next place we have the two names on } the Wrapper, viz.: ot R onye /27- 56‘\—0141%,“ Figure B. Then we have the following excerpt from one of the same samples: starts the cross line at the down stroke and im- presses the pen wholly o the right and in the irection he writes, while Durrant carefully crosses his. And the small i of Gibson is made by a pel‘:lpendlcuhr down stroke and finished by an ending at nearly right angles. REV.GIBSON'S| WRITING, ON THE WRAPPER REV.GIBSON'S HANDWRITING DURRANT'S HANDWRITING. Figure E. Many other matters could be shown, but the above is enough to iilustrate the strength of Mr. Deuprey’s assertion to the jury. The constant tendency of Gibson to print or separate letters of his words is so utterly at variance with Durrant’s as to make an over- whelming distinction. Captain Lees was asked yesterday whether, in view of the latest develop- ments in the case, any steps would be taken by him to make sure of the presence of Rev. J. George Gibson in case he were wanted. This question, put in the most courteous manner possible, had the effect of throwing the venerable detective into an apparently violent state of indignation, in the course of which he exclaimed: What do you mean by asking me such a question? That isan insult to my intelligence and to my honesty. “I believe the question is justifiable after the charge and assertion made in open court this morning by Mr. Deuprey,” was the repiy. Well, do you think I will arrest a man on the statement of Mr. Deuprey or any other man? Certainly not. But he claims to have evi- dence to show that Mr. Gibson wrote the “Mrs. Noble” address on the package of rings. Pshaw! That's all nonsense. If you knew Mr. Gibson as well as I do you would not be- lieve for a moment that anv suspicion could attach to him in & matter of this kind. His attention was then called to the fac simile of the **Mrs. Noble” address, as re- produced in these columns, and to the writing of Mr. Gibson. He at once as- serted that the fac simile was not correct, and in order to make what he thought would be a fairer comparison he produced a photographic copy of the “Mrs. Noble” address. On his attention being called to the apparent similarity in the “C,” “i" and *‘t” in_the word “City” with similar characters in Gibson’s writing he dis- puted that there was any, except that both were more like printed letters than writ- ing. Then he added that Durrant was a clever imitator of the handwriting of others and declared that he had speci- mens of Durrant’s ability in this line, but that he had none imitating the writing of Gibson. He concluded by saying there was not enough writing in the ‘Mrs, Noble” address to permit any.one to prove its authorship. Rev. J. George Gibson was then visited and an interview granted on the under- standing that all statements should be made through his secretary, Robert N. Lynch, in the presence of Mr. Gibson, who, it was understood, gave authority and authenticity to whatever might be com- municated by Mr. Lynch. The question was then asked whether | Mr. Gibson had written thenames *‘George R. King” and “Professor Schernstern” on the newspaper inclosing the rings of Blanche Lamont when they were received by Mrs. Noble, To this came a decided answer that he did not write them. Then he was asked whether he wrote the address of Mrs. Noble on the package of rings and the same answer was made. ° This was'the first time that Mr. Gibson had been asked these questions, though on the preliminary examination of Durrant he was asked to and did write the names of King and Schernstern, which are now ex- hibits of the defense. He was then asked if the *“Mrs. Noble” address did not bear some resemblance to the writing of Mr. Gibson. To this came the following response: — Sussdoy 9 -y Jocis-oudd Seudly, Wednesday 7 30 prr’ Foday. You ¢ oF Tnss Paaye mafing, B iamwvn}; 'Blomz 209. 217 S, .Cafwng event— Facclay Meuch /5': Meak AL otmmer ¥ emkedeaimmt= 25 ¢’ FIGURE C. J'It is plain that the most important compari- | #ons are those of letters in_the address (Fig. A) | with letters found in_Gibson's handwriting. This is true, because it must be remembered | that the rings leit the dead girl's fingers nfter she disappeared, and were mailed and received | Dy lier aunt before her body was discovered, & | fact that conclusively establishes either that | the sender of the rings was the guilty party or | that he received the rings under circum- | stances that conclusively show guilty knowl- edge, making the sender culpable in either case. In the address we first notice a peculiar cap- | ital “C” in the word “City,” which we segre- | gate below and_compare with a number of ex- amples taken from the samples of whatare | known to be Gibson's han wmlni. So we | take the small from “City " and " and | the small “s” from “Mrs.” in the address and | compare them with the same character in Mr. | G . ag. TOnRET al) FIR. A With that taken from the samples of Mr. | Gibson's, as reproduced in Fig. C. In order that the complete dissimilarity of the foregoing, and the handwriting of Durrant smay be seen | present s sample of Durrant's manuseript darne The only similarity in the address of “‘Mrs. Noble” on the wrapper to the writing of Dr. Gibson is that the address is print, and Dr. Gibson’s writing very much resembies print. There is no characteristic in the address that bears the least resemblance to Dr. Gibson’s handwriting. Did Durrant ever in the presence of Dr. Gib- son, imitate the doctor’s handwriting? was askéd. But no answer was vouchsafed to this. Do you believe the address was written to imitate the handwriting of Dr. Gibson? No, I don’t think it was. But it would be very easy 10 imitate the doctor’s writing, as jt is 80 exceedingly plain. Mr. Gibson was then asked if he would write the names of George K. Klnf and Professor Schernstern, so as to permit of a comnparison being made in Tue CALL with thoee tta‘ apped 2 pewapaper in- This request was refused, with the prom- ise that it might be granted later. It was suggested that now, when suspicion had been newly cast upon Mr. Gibson, would be the most appropriste time to do this, so case is absurd and it’s all humbug trying to trump up such a theory. At to-day’s session of court a number of Durrant’s classmates at Cooper College will be put on the stund to testify regard- ing the defendant at lectures and his con- duct while at college. The main point ex- pected to be gained from their testimony will be to prove his presence at Dr. Cheney’s lecture April 3, and in_this con- nection Dr. Cheney will himself be called. He will be the important witness of the day, for by him the defense expects to prove beyond doubt that Durrant was lis- tening to him when he_is alleged to have been on his way t‘p the Mission in company with Blanche Lamont. _Mr. Deuprey stated in his_opening address that Dr. Cheney would testify that Durrant was present during his lecture. When ‘seen last evening Dr. Cheney said: “‘Mr. Durrant is marked present on my rolleall for April 3. I think he was there, and will so testify; but I could not swear positively that he was or was not present.”’ Dr. Cheney denied that confusion is the general order in the lecture-room during rollcall, as was stated by the prosecution. *‘That is all a mistake,” said he; ‘I am very careful about my rolleall, and perfect order aiways prevails, That is the chief reason I say I think he was there.” Mr. Deuprey also stated it would be shown that Durrant entered the church alone. The defense claims to have a wit- ness, a woman, who will testify to having seen the medical student pass the portals of the sacred edifice and alone. They re- fuse to disclose the icentity of the wit- ness, but intimate that she will be called to the stand at the proper time. The story of the witness 1s said to be to this effect: She was passing Emmanuel Church at about 5 o’clock on the evenifig of April 3, when directly in front of the building she met a young man, whom she took to be a friend, and spoke to him. Im- mediately she saw she was mistaken and hurried on, but the likeness of the young man to her friend was so great that she turned to get a look at him as he entered the church, and saw his face plainly. Later, when Durrant was accused and his victure appeared in the papers she remem- bered the person she met that evening and knew it was he. She is said to have come forward and offered to testify, only when she saw. how important her testimony might be. he attorneys for the defense have re- ceived a stack of Jetters and communica- tions of a varied nature from cranks. General Dickinson displayed a package of them nearly a foot thick yesterday. They contain all manner of suggestions and theories of the most absurd sort, and not a few are anonymous letters taking Messrs. Dickinson, Deuprey and Thompson to task roundly for appearing in tbe case for Dur- rant. In one received vesterday from “Vox Populi,” Mr. Dickinson was ac- cused of being cognizant of Durrant’s guilt, and pronounced in emphatic terms a scoundrel for defending him. These communications serve as a laughing stock for the attorneys, who assert the utmost confidence in Durrant’s innocence. ‘We will show you that the marks upon the beliry door show the marks of & chisel, and that the chisel found in the pastor's study in a toolbox formed them. The above was part of Attorney Deu- prey’s opening statement for the defense, and in this connection there occurred an interesting incident. Immediately after the adjournment of the court for the day Captain Lees hastened toEmmanuelChurch and issued orders for several officers and a patrol wagon to meet him there. The arrival of the vehicle and the small posse of officers and the subsequent hammering in the vicinity of the belfry of the church soon attracted quite a number of peopje, even a number of passing wagons mlt ng to await developments, After Lees and his posse had been at work within the church about an hour, they emerged carry- ing the belfry door, which was placed in the patrol wagon and hauled to the new City Hall, to be used as an exhibit in the Durrant case. Mr. Deuprey charged that chizel marks on this door had been made by a chisel taken from a toolchest in the pastor’s study. Dr. Gibson was asked through his secretary as to this toolchest and the fol- lowing statement was made: The study at all times was entirely open and the toolbox was situated in the study and any one in the dhurah eould. use the tools. at will, and they were so used. A special telegram to THE CALyLfrom San Rafael last night stated that P. Connolly and Thomas King of that city had been subpenaed in the Durrant case by the de- fense to impeach the testimony of Witness Phillips, and that P. Mulvaney and Mr. Murrhy of Tomales had bteen subpenaed for the same gurpose in reference to the testimony of J. Clark, the thirsty friend of Quinlan. ! The following dispatch was received last evening: OMAHA, NEBR., Sept. 25.—To-day & promi- nent meaber of the Pinkerton Detective Agency passed through this city. He had just come from San Francisco, and is familiar with the proceedings in the Durrant murder trial. When pressed by a friend for a tip on the sur- g;ise that Durrant’s lawyers were holding ck he said that as the fact would soon come put in court he had no objection to telling What the secret was. The detective said that Durrant had now in his possession and would sgon show to the court a letter which it bound to establish his innocence of the crime with which he is charged. This letter was written by Blanche Lamont a day of two after the date on which she is supposed to have heen murdered. Con- cerning the contents of the letter or its exact date he would not speak, but he said that there could be no doubt but that the letter was written by Miss Lamont later than April 3. Mr. Deuprey was seen concerning the truth of the dispatch. “There is mnothing in it,” said he. “Nothing of the sort will be introduced as evidence. If we had been in possession of such a letter I would have mentioned it in my opening statement.” GAY’'S SINGULAR DEATH, Went to a Lodging-House and Died ‘Without a Doctor—Had Money ‘When He Left Home. An old man named John G. Gay, who has been living in the rear of 47 Russ street, died at the Brunswick lodging- house, 148 Sixth street, last evening, under such circumstances as prompted Deputy Coroner Hallett to make an investigation. According to Mrs. Gay’s statement her husband went out yesterday morning with $16 in money and a purse. There wasonly 40 cents on his person and no purse, said Mr. Hallett, when his remains were searched for indications of his identity. Mrs. Virginia A. Brown, the colorea woman who keeps the lodging-house, said Gay came to her place, apparently well enough, shortly after the noon hour, and went up two flights of stairs to room 38, occupied by a white woman calling herself Mrs. Svencer. . He died at 7:30 . a. ‘The singular thing about Gay's death is i bim in fime. Tr. A. Nusbaum was called in, but not unti it was too late. Mrs, Brown says a telephone message was sent from Dr. George A. Root’s dpugstore at 47 M. to the Receiving Hospital, asking FIGURE D. ] It requires no expert to form a conelnsion from the abeve showing. Take the little g's inthe two men's writing, for example. In Gibson's we find the peculiar angular double eurved down stroke, whils Durrant’s Is the straight accurate downstroke of an expert pen- | men Indeed, this peculiar characteristic is not slone in Gibson's g's, but in his «'sas weil. This is highly important, as it shows it to be | a fixed characteristic of his writing caused by | a0 involuntary nervous sction of the hand. | The small t is another apt {llustration. Gidb- son does not always rly cross bis t, but | as to avert or destroy the suspicion raised by the attorney for the defense. But tiis failed of effect, and only brought a repeti- tion of the promise to perhaps furnish these writings later. District Attorney Barnes scoffs at the ides of attempting to connect Dr. Gibson with the murder. ““Will the prosecution order bis arrest?” “Certainly not,” replied he very em- hatically. ““The idea that Mr. Gibson ad any connection whatever with this for an ambulance, but that the answer re- ceived was that an ambulance would be sent next morning. However, this story was not verified when Mr. Hallett tele- ;-hm;ned inquiries to the Receiving Hos- pital. . Mrs. Spencer hersel! was very reticent, and when asked by the reporters for in. formation that would throw some light on the th, refused, givin reason that didn’t want him Ella Hawes, a daughter of hers a former husband, reported the death of Gay to the Southern station. Gay must have been sick for several hours with nausea. . An autopsy will be held. Mrs. Gay told the Deputy Coroner her husband been subject to fainting spells. e owned the property where he lived, and was 50 years of age. Hesides his widow he leaves a son. Trev'RE 817! Thelr new huflding, 22 Clay st., opposite the ferry. The Mysell-Rollins Co.* SEPTEMBER 26, 1895, NEW TO-DAY—DRY GOODS. INEW BORN STOCKS! In All Departments Throughout the Store. & ABSOLUTELY NEW GOODS AS NEVER BEFORE. DRESS GOODS, SILKS, TRIMMINGS, ART GOODS. Etc., Etc, NOT MARKED AT PRICES TO HOLD, BUT TO SELL AND SELL QUICKLY. SIXPENCE HERE. SELF-INTER IT’S THE NIMBLE Ladies’ and Gents’ Furnishings. Things you need at prices you can afford. 800 dozen LADIES' GINGHAM APRONS, size 36x38 inches, in blue or brown, large or small checks. deep border, well made and very special at. 10° Each GENTS' MERINO SOCKS, excellent quallty, light gray or tan, seamiess, donbie heel and toe, the most sensible sock of th season, very special at 163° Pair 150 dozen MISSES' BLACK COT- TON HOSE, unbleached foot, narrow ribbed, high-spliced heels, double knees and tocs. In sizes from 5 to 9, an_excellent school 25° stocking, very special At.....-.... Pair LADIES' BLACK COTTON HOSE, made of Macco yarn, high-spliced 250 Deels and double solés and toes, & regular 40c quality o i Palr BOYS' BLACK COTTON HOSE, corduroy and wide ribbed, i 9RO sizes from 4 to 10, good and tough for school wear, price Pair LADIES' WAISTS, made of good heavy calico, soft finish, full front and back, large sleeves, the most popular garment of the sea- 80n, a line to close, at....... 35°¢ Each LADIES' MUSLIN GOWNS, good, heavy muslin, “V” shaped neck, tucked and embroidered yoke, an excellent garment, special at. LADIES' FLANNEL WRAPPERS, full sleeves and front, large ruffie over shoulder, mostly light col- ors, a $1 50 value anywhere, DOW:.5 e GENTS' ALL - WOOL UNDER- WEAR, heavy weight and good quality, tan color, silk-bopnd neck and front, drawers to match, & garment for winter wear......... LADIES GINGHAM WRAPPERS, full sleeves, large ruffle over shoulder, fn blue and pink stripes, stylish, seasonable, special, regu- lar value §1 75, 1o close the line. 1-00 Garment S See Show Windows ~ = O=- Notions, Toys and Novelties. Some Little Necessarles for everybod CHILDREN'S WHITE HAND- KERCHIEFS, colored border, full size, hemstitched, 15 to 34 inch hem.. Dozen LADIES HANDKERCHIEFSpiain O white, worth from 16%sc to 20¢ each, now. .. sossacel MEACH S-HOOK FOSTER KID GLOVES,in 7750 tans, browns and black, all sizes, very special value. e S PAIE EMBKOIDERY EDGE, in colors and 5C white, was 8Y3¢ a yard, now Yard EMBROIDERY EDGE, incolorsand ] ()C white, was 15¢ @ yard, now 3 Yara EMBROIDERY YELT. in oretty 450 shades for Jambrequins and man- tles, width 12 inches. . Yard COTTON TAPE, in black, & very ]C special value % Roll BONE BUTTONS, a good assort- 50 ‘ment, size of a quarter, and very special at.. R Dozen AFINE LINE OF FULL FLOUNC. Qe INGS. cambric and Swiss, 45 inches wide, all neatpatterns..... Yard WOOD SWINGS, painted, made to hang in doof or swingsiand, ©=C something to please the little 0] ones . Hach WICKER BODY DOLL-CABS, with £()C metal wheels, very special it.... O Sach RED-PAINTED CHAIRS AND ROCKERS, u happy thought for the children—Small siz Large size. PEN AND INK TABLET, pages, your opportunity very sp ecial........ Each KIRK'S SOAP—This popular hrand, 10¢ three cakes in a box, at. ol x Our Bazaar Offerings are posi- tively the best in the city. Yourin- spection will banish all doubt. v ST Silks and Dress Stuffs. Quotations from Our Lat- est Fall Arrivals. BROCADE TAFFETA, all silk, changeable heavy quality, 18 1c inches wide, bought to sell at 85c, 673 special... ST e S SEVILLE WASH SILK, light Ono shades, good for waists, has been 8714¢, now. . Yand BLACK BROCADE TAFFETA, beavy quality: good for skirt and street wear; 21 inches wid price CLOAKINGS—A good, comfortable line Kersey, Meiton or Niggerheaa finish, very heavy; good for capes and jackets; ask toseethem; price ENGLISHIACQUARD NOVELTY, 750 all wool, mohair filling: all lines inblack’; 42 inches wide; price.. Yard FRENCH NOVELTIES in Silk and Wool, 48 inches wide, a very handsome dress fabric: 'all lines in black; a regular $2 50 price.. CREAM ARMURE, a dainty fabric for evening wear; a rare value; our regular price (vas $1 per ya; FRENCH AMAZON CLOTH. in all staple shades, incliding black; all wool, 50 inches wide and very special at.... . . 75° Yard 39° Yard Blanket Specials. GOOD., COMFORTABLE ALL- WOOL BLANKETS, long fleecy finish, fine heavy quality, the best blankets we know of anywhere: Size 86x80 inches. welght 5 Ibs....85.00 Pair Size 68x82 inches, weight 6 Ibs. ... $6.00 Pair Size 76x84 inches, weight 7 1bs.... 87 .00 Pair Size 76x90 Inches, weights 8 Ib. ... 88.00 Pair Just a dollar & pound and fuli weight, t00. INCORPORATED 937, 939 and 941 Market Street, San Francisco. EST LEADS YOU TO HALE’S. Domestics and House=Furnishings. A Line of Specials in Sta- ple Goods. 44 UNBLEACHED MUSLIN, heavy coarse thread, was 81sc a vard, all cottons are rapidly advancing in the East, but here is one way dOWn; Very SPeCial Al.......uee s DUCK SUITING, in navy,cadet blue 710 o tan, with dots or stripes, value (2 1214¢’a yard, very special at.. Yard 32-INCH PLAIN CREAM FLAN- NEL, excellent quality, for chil- dren’s skirts, underw 3 from and worth 35« 50-INCH BLEACHED PILLOW- CASE MUSLIN, soft finish, no dressing: worth’ in the present market at least 15¢; very special 10° Yard 86-INCH CURTAIN SWISS. plain white, in dots and stripes, 15 pat- terns,at... 2 Yard TURKEY RED CLOTHS, size 59x 70 inches, actual measuremeut, oil colors, guaranteed, hemmed, ready for use; excellent value at 75° Each 8 cases WHITE CROCHET BED- SPREADS. Marseilles patterns, 75x85 inches, actual messure- c Toont, new 78 grade: everywhere price 81, here special at... Each 8-4 BLEACHED NAPKINS, all pure (» 1.00 linen, single selvage, they hav been sold at $1 50 a dozen, now.. Dozen ION HUCK TOWELS, full blue and red borders, heavy huck: value $1 75 a g1 dozen: now. Dozen COMFORTERS, satcen covered, tur- @] .00 Xey red lining. whito corton’ i1 P 1-e ing; good Value....ovverevssereness Each See Show Windost HIS IDEA 1S GROWING. Mayor Sutro May Give His Library a Gigantic Endowment. | that medicnl stiesdance was not given | | does not. At the conference yesterday it was thought that this obstacle could be avoided IS DEVELOPING THE DETAILS. Deep In the Problem of Taxes With Several of His Legal Advisers. Mayor Sutro is engaged on a bit of work fraught with the greatest consequences to his new public library. He is trying to determine how the land endowment to the institution may be exempted from taxa- tion. This maynot appear of such im- mense consequence when the land he has already promised is considered. But Mayor Sutro nas other objects’in view. If all goes well in the law and otherwise there is a chance that he will endow the institu- tion with nearly 100 acres of outside lands. Of course those outside lands are mostly sandhills now and sadly need improve- ments, but cable-cars and electric-cars are already poking their noses into them, and it won't be long before they are the sites of suburban homes. The value of those out- side blocks is going up with cheerful per- sistency and as the years roll by they will be worth a sum of money that would start several Vanderbilt families in life. Big values mean big taxes, and thatis the reason that Mayor Sutro 'and his legal advisers are digging into the question of the way to avoid saddling the burden of taxes on the Sutro library. Asitisan in- stitution for the benefit of the public the Mayor wants to see matters so arranged that the taxes will be distributed. Yesterday he held a long conference on the point with Judge Wallace and ex- Justice McKinstry. Judge Wallace repre- sented the Regents of the State University and ex-Justice McKinstry was there to watch over the interests of Mayor Sutro and get data to safeguard the new library. The question of the payment of taxes on the land already promised the new in- stitution was thoroughly discussed. Mayor Sutro is the author of a law passed by the last Legislature which exempts from taxa- tion (he sile and wuilling o tutions similar to the Sutro library. Does it likewise exempt from taxation the lands by which such places are endowed ? Opin ion seems to incline to the belief that it | by making the Sutro library a part of the University of Califernia. 1 la of the University of California are exempt from taxation. Trustees could be appointed to watch over the special endowment belong- ing to the library and keep it separate from the general funds of the university. Should the library and its endowments be turned to the university Mayor Butro will have the practical management ing his life iime, the same Senator and Mrs. Stanford had with the affairs of Lelana Stanford Jr. University. No final conelusion was resched in the conference yesterday and the matter will be taken up again next Monday. So many details of the greatest importance are cropping up in the big matter that it will e some time cht before the deeds are signed. Like all institutions of its kind the original idea is constantly developing e in the mind of the donor. The present one is assuming immense pro s, Mayor Butro, however, is orndyiu everything with scrupulous care so as to build one of the biggest and most shining landmarks on the peninsula. RESOUED BY AN OFFICER. Four Men Almost Suffocated ina Burning Lodging-House. The alarm from box 97 at 12:30 o'clock this morning was for a fire in the saloon at 400 McAllister street, occupied by Robert Hamilton. The building was an old wooden struc- ture, and the flames spread rapidly to the stores of J. Bradley, plumber, at 402 Mc- Allister; W. 8. Neumann’s barber-shop ! at 4024 and a lodging-house at 404, oc- cupied by Mrs. Meldon; also to the resi- dence occupied by Mrs. McBride, at 405 Polk street. Four men who were asleep in the lodging- house were almost suffocated by the smoke, and were rescued with considerable diffi- culty by Officer Brophy. The property is owned by Miss Donahue. The loss will be about $1500. Cause unknown. CROWDS GOING T0 TEXAS, Corbett-Fitzsimmons Contest May Knock Out Rail- way Rates. . Estimated That Over 75,000 People WIll Soon Be Heading for the Texas MIll. The approaching Corbett - Fitzsimmons mill down the Texas way is stirring things up in other than sporting circles. Itis going to be a tremendous event in the way of attracting travel, and already local ticket-chasers are scurrying aboui among likely patrons of the great event. An estimate made by a Texas railroad man is that fully 75,000 people will go to Dallas between now and the end of Octo- gr if all preparations for the fiiht g0 on now arranged. That is something of a crowd, ana no wonder the rival roads are already fighting for the business. Because Corbettis a Californian there is great in- terest here1n the affair, and if any sort of reasonable round-trip rates can be made there will be a large contingent go from this City to shout for “Our J? . A num- ber of prominent sporting men have al- ready arranged to go and all the City newspapers wiil have representatives. There is more interest felt in Eastern cities, if mything. than here, and the rail- road passenger departments are shaking themselves up in order to secure desirad traffic. Circulars and alluring folders are being sent out and no tricks for business are being lost. One circular sent out shows | that the amphitheater buf'ding for 3¢ co iesi will be e inTgest in tne way of seating capacity since the aays of the Roman Jolosseum. It will actualiy seat 51,612 per- sous, and at the rates now quoted, paid ad- | missions ought to foot up the tidy sum of $758,660. The fight for the travel toward Dallas, lies chietly between the Southern Pacific, the Santa Fe and the Texas Pacific. In the East it is already so hot and heav that a demoralization of rates is predicted, and if that happens there will be some Hnl‘ ehowfln‘ out here. A Fort Worth paper comments thus on the situation: There is no doubt about the Corbett-Fitzsim- mons proj pugilistic mill at Dallas exert- | ing an {nfluence over the various rallway lines which does not promise suability of rates. The “Katy'’ has purchased a large number of tickets and contracied for & great many more on cer- tain conditions. The Rock Island has pur- chased & lot upon conditions. The Santa Fe people bought & block of 500 seats in the big amphithenier. The block runs directly from the ring side backward. The amphitheater is in the form of a circle. In the center is the ring. Immediately around this ring are the ress tables, Ou the press tables are the xes, each seat in which eosts and the h-u‘hlu 100 1o seil .“\'L. bo: Outside mo weats, which w: $10 each. T0 FIGHT FOR THE PLACE One of the Ousted Janitors Claims to Have the Law on His Side. BACKED BY FIVE JUSTICES. The Changes Made Enable the Su- pervisors to Distribute a Tidy Sum of Public Money. One of the janitors dismissed last Mon- day by the Solid Eight of the Board of Supervisors has found a section of the code and five friends that he thinks will rein- state him in his position in spite of those who ousted him. Louis Strohl, janitor and messenger of the Justices’ Court, was among those re- moved from office last Monday by order of the Supervisors. James Taylor was ap- pointed to his place. The salary at issue is $75 a month. Yesterday one of the attaches of the Justices' Court pointed out to Strohl a section of the code by which it is provided that the five Justices of the Peace shall have the sole appointment of the position of janitor in their court. The section in question reads as follows: By act of March 30, 1866, it is pro- vided that: “The Justices of the Peace of the City and County of San Francisco are authorized and empowered to appoint a jan- itor for their courtrooms at & salary not ex- ceeding $75 per month, and his salary shall be allowed by the Auditor of the City and County of San Francisco and be paid in the same manner that the Justices are paid—out of the special fee fund.” Strohl's friends have advised him to make a fight under the section. Presidin, Justice of the Peace Barry and Justices of the Peace Cook, Groezinger, Kerrizan and Carroll are very well satisfied with the way Strohl performed his work and they would very much like to see him kept in the place.” They have informally agreed u; do what they can to support him in the place. Yesterday it was agreed to elect him to the position of janitor of the Justices’ Court under the provision of the code quoted above. If the Solid Eight force the fight on their appointment both Taylor and Strohl will appear before Auditor Broderick at tie end of tue month with ! warrants for services rendered. That will | forse the lssue ia tue wourtsand bring s | final judgment to settle the dispute. An effort will first be made by the Jus- tices of the Peace on behalf of ‘Strohl to { have Taylor transferred to some other de- | partment of the municipal Government | and allow Strohl to remain where he is. That point will be settled by October 1, the date set by he Bupervisors for the twenty- one janitors, gardeners and patrol drivers to walk out and th to take their places. The best position made vacant was engi- neer of the Fourth-street bridge. Henry Healy, who will take charge next week, will receive $100 a month. The janitors who were ordered out all got $70 a month. The bridge-keeper of Fourth-street bridge ru $75 & month and the gardeners of Union, Portsmouth and ashington lq;l”! each receive §75. he patrol-wagon drivers receive $90 a month. The appointments make a total of §1410 of public funds distributed monthly by the rity of the Board of Supervisors among their political frienas. Em——— ¥or the Loss of a Foot. The suit of George Gomes, a young Portu- guese who feil from & train in Alameda seversl months ago and was run over, losing h's right foot, was begun in Judge Hunt’s court yester- day. Gomes was the only witness on the plaintiff’s side. He declared that the condue- tor threw him off the train. though admitting that he had been asleep in the car and that he had been carried beyond his destination. GLOVE AND KENNEL. A New System of Voting at Olymplag Club Elections — A Great Dog Race. The directors of the Olympic Club are determined to follow out the rules of the club to a letter. Inthe pastit has beena custom of the club for members to vote as they pleased, so to speak. And as a matter of fact considerable annoyance and dissat- isfaction have resulted at election time. According to orders recently issued by the new directors members voting must now hand their tickets to the secretary, who will deposit them in a box in the secre- tary’s office., And any member whose in- debtedness to the club is more than $9 can~ not vote on any proposition. There are about 100 members who have allowed their dues to the club to remain unpaid. Those delinquents who have been notified will be given one month’s time to settle or show cause for their tardi- ness in paying up. It is expected that another clearing-out sale of bad-paying members will occur in October. Manager Kennedy has completed his match-making programme. There will be six good special events on Tuesday even- irln;. October 15, in the gymnasium of the club. The betting on the Hsawkins and Ro- chette nhght, which will be decided this evening at Colma, is strongly in favor of Hawkins, because he is considered the cleverest man. Rochette, however, will give him a hot race to the finish. The much-talked-of special match race between H. Crocker’s English setter Rods Chaff and Howard Vernon’s Glenbeigh will be decided at Bakersfield on Thanks- giving day. The match is for $500 a side, and, according to the conditions of the agreement. the dogs will run two heats of two hours’ duration each. Mr. Crocker has nppointed Andrew Jackson to judge, and Vernon has selected William Dormer; these latter sportsmen will select a referee. Allender is handling the pointer, and the setter is being looked after by walters. It is whispered that the setter will give a surprise to the men who think Glenbeigh the greatest dog on earth. Mr. Crocker is only too well aware of the qualities that Glenbeigh possesses as a field dog, and, ac- cording to the remarks he has made to friends recently relative to the outcome of the race, it can be safely said.that the owner of the pointer will not have the walk-over he expect CHEAPEST PLAGE. STYLISH Velvet Capes, Jackes, Silk Waists TAILOR-MADE SUITS, FUR CAPES. l&g&!g CAILLEAU, eary Street CORNER Glll‘l‘yAvllUl& 3 S