The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 12, 1904, Page 16

THE SAN: FRANCISCO CALL, TUESDAY. JANUARY 12, 1904. AGED “MAMMY” PLEASANT NOW REPO Rest Comes at Last About Whom for Almost a Century -— SES IN DEATH to Restless Woman Life 3 o7 ALLAANT el | | i | | AGED DIED YESTERDAY REMARKABLE CAREER. 1 remarkable career of Pleasant, more famil known to the San Francisco pub- Pleasant, ended in a 108t peaceful manner yesterday fore- Shortly before 11 o'clock, as a comforting ar mpathizing friend ed by her couch sang the conclud- Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me,” the colored woman, has been so frequently linked with that ©f many prominent families in this city during the last thirty years, answered the summons she had been patiently ewaiting for several days. She had realized for a number of days that the hand of death was upon her and had made all preparations for the end. Her last request was that her friend, Mrs. L. M. Sherwood of 2751 Fil- bert street, in whose house she died, should. when she found that death was r, cheer her with a religious song. Yesterday morning Mrs. Sherwood on entering the room of “Mammy” saw that her aged charge was rapidly sink- ing. Placing her mouth close to the patient’s ear, Mrs. Sherwood remarked: Mammy,” 1 am afraid that you are dying. If you can hear me give me evidence of the fact by opening your for I want to sing to you as I promised.” DEATH COMES PEACEFULLY. For a time the wrinkled and sunken features of the colored woman retained | their impassive expression, but finally yielded to the last effort of the dying lines of whose name eves Woman, who slowly opened her eyes and gazed silently into those of Mrs. Sherwood. A second later the clear | voice of the attendant softly rendered the words of the comsoling song, and then death ended the dramatic scene. Mre. Pleasant died in her ninetieth | year. She was a native of Philadel- e ————— e —————— | sides phia and the daughter of a man of con- e means named Williams, who bonded her out to service in Boston when she was a mere child. The father provided ample funds for the educaticn of his daughter, which seemingly were well applied, for Mrs. Pleasant was )ssessed of more Intellig ace than the erage colored person and certainly s regarded as exceptionally shrewd, was frequently demonstrated in the ater part of her career in this city. Coming to San Francisco in the pio- neer days, she gained prominence first as a cook, later by her work in behalf of cclored slaves and finally as a ruler of | the destinies of several wealthy fam- ilies. HER STRANGE INFLUENCES. For years she seemed to exert a won- derful influence over Millionaire Thom- as Bell, in whose family she!was em- ployed, and after his death she con- tinued to act as dictator of the house- | hold and maintained her connection with the family until a few years ago, when she and Mrs. Theresa Bell en- gaged in litigation over the property holdings of the husband of the Ilast named. It is only recently that the lawyers in the case bezan their effo:ts toward a compromise, which has been slowly progressing for a number of | months. { The greatest prominence attained by “Mammy” Pleasant was during the conflict between the late Senator Wil- liam Sharon and Sarah Althea Terry. in which she espoused the cause of t unfortunate woman, who is now an in- mate of the Stockton Insane Asylum, to which she was committed a few years after the death of her hushand.l Judge Terry, who was killed by Dave | Neagle while assaulting the late United States Supreme Court Justice Field By many Mrs. Pleasant was regarded as a dangerous woman, but by those who knew her well sh® will be remem- bered for her many deeds of charity. She was possessed of a forceful char- | acter that readily asserted itself in all her dealings, and even when minister- ing to the wants of the needy she would insist that her will should be obeyed to the letter. . Some years ago Mrs. Pleasant was |-association. ASSOCIATION 1S DISSOLVED California Laerosse Club Is Abandoned That Larger Or- ganization May Be Formed GAME BECOMES POPULAR g e Teams From Los Angeles to JOSEPH BLAISE FOULLY MURDERED AND LEON SOEDER HELD FOR CRIME Body of Victim Found in Lonely Spot on Russian Hill and His| by the Police to Have Plotted and Accomplished the Deed| | Brother-in-law, Who Caused His Life to Be Insured, Believed — The body of Joseph Blaise, who had been robbed of his life by a brutal mur- derer, was found on a rough road that Vancouver, B. C., Make ADP-|icags to the summit of Russian Hill plication to Join City Players | yesterday morning. A knife wound in Ilhc throat, inflicted by a coward who | attacked him from behind, was the im- gt The California Lacrosse Association is no longer In existence: a special meeting was held by the mem- bers and the old association was dis- solved that a larger ome, formed. The California association started a a few teams. Of late so many teams in coast cities from Los Angeles to Vancouver, B. C., have applied for ad- mission that it was constdered advis- able to form a new and larger associa- tion. At a meeting last night at the Olym- pic Club the 'old association was dis- solved and W. J. Blackwell was elected temporary chairman and A. 8. The- berge temporary secretary of the new M. J. Tansey, J. D. Rob- inson and R. I'Hommedieu were ap- pointed a committee to form a new constitution and by-laws. be another meeting two weeks from last night at which the permanent of- ficers of the new association will e elected and a name will be given the club. The favor the game of lacrosse has met with throughout the coast is ex- ceedingly gratifying to the promoters. Among the teams that have applied for admission to the association are five in this city, several in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, one in Portland, one in Seattle and teams in New Westminster and Vancouver, B. C. ————— JOHNSON'S LATE STATEMENT. The Following Is in Johnson’s Window. The existing five conditions: I1st—Closed sHNop agreement forced from individual restaurants by Waiters’ No. 30, Cooks' No. 44, Helpers' No. 110. No Asiatics. 2d—Partial open shop agreement be- tween Restaurant-Keepers' Association and Waiters’ No. 30, Cooks’ No. 44, Help- ers’ No. 110 sacrificed. Can employ Asiatics. 3d—Complete open shop agreement be- tween the 5 T rants, Waiters Cooks’ No. 44, mploy union or No. Can e Helpers' non-union. 4th—No agreement with hotels, board- ing-houses and many restaurants. Not molested. 5th—Johnson, standing for his consti- tutional rights, is boycotted. Labor union, thy consistency is reat. M. JOHNSON. On another sign Johnson declares he will not discriminate in favor of nor against any union, neither will he com- pel his employes to join any. A com- parison of conditions shows that he pays better than union wages by an average of 15 per cent; also gives better than union hours, six days constituting a week’'s work, and claims that this all proves the statements of hoycotters on sidewalk to be malicious falsehoods. He asks all fair-minded people to show their disapproval of the boycott as un- American and contrary to the principles of the United States constitution by patronizing his boycotted open shop res- taurant at 725 Market street. . ————— Decree of Foreclosure. United States Circuit Judge Mor- row yesterday handed down a decree of foreclosure and sale in the suit of Wells, Fargo & Co. against the Yerba Buena Mutual Building and Loan As- sociation and James B. Feehan for 37,831 alleged to be due on promis- sory notes. The defendants had al- lowed the case to go by default. —_—— Floating spots before the Eyes. dim- ness of vision and weak eyes, cured by Murine Eye Remedies. A home cure for eyes that need care. Druggists. . —————— Ten Thousand Rabbits Are Killed. ECHO, Or., Jan. 11.—The rabbit drive on Lower Butter Creek to-day was the largest in the history of the Northwest. It is estimated that 10,- 000 rabbits were killed and 700 per- sons, men, women and children, par- ticipated. —————— ADAMS' Irish Moss Cough Balsam helps from the first dose, cures in a day. 25¢, S0c. * A A A A AP Annual Clearance Sale of Undermuslins This sale will be continued during the entire week. A great saving event when women of San Francisco and vicinity come to Magnin's and supply their wants for months ahead—the time when are temptingly displayed—when the choice products of our own ‘workrooms are offered at a great reduction. If you have not attended do not fail durihg the remaining days ADVERTISEMENTS. immense assortments to be present of the sale. Annual broken sizes is one-half former prices. B Clearance Sale of Children’s Cloaks, Woolen Dresses, Hats and Caps. Extraordinary reductions| have been made on all Every garment is this season’s style—a line of goods that are seldom placed on special sale. Visit this department—it means a saving to you of /8 ~922 IrARKET ST = 3 considered a wealthy woman, but bad investments, litigation and neglect of her interests are supposed to have left her in an impoverished condition, al- though she still retains an interest in a ranch near Napa and claims a share in a valable lot of dlamonds now held by a local bank and over which she has been figting in the courts for some time. A few days ago, when she began failing, she sent for Attorney More- house and made her will and completed other arrangements for the disposal of her remains. It was agreed that she should be buried in the family plat of the Sherwoods in Napa and there her remains will be taken to-morrow morn- ing by Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood. The illness that resulted in Mrs. Pleasant’s death yesterday dated back several months.. Last November Mrs. Sherwood called at the home of the col- ored woman at 2107% Webster street and found her ill and wanting neces- sary attention. Although only slightly acquainted with “Mammy” Pleasant, Mrs. Sherwood prevailed on the sick woman to move to her own home, which “Mammy” entered on Novem- ber 19. For a time the patient showed some signs of improvement and was able to move about, but her doctor, Peter A. Kearney, gave little hope for her recovery, and, taking his advice, the woman, who only a few years ago was 8o noted for her mental,and phys- ical vigor, reluctantly prepared for the end. 2 Mrs. Pleasant is not survived by any blood relations, her nearest relative be- ing a niece of her first husband, a Mrs. Boone, who arrived at the Sherwood home shortly after “Mammy’s’” death yesterday. Deceased was twice mar- ried, her first husband being named Smith and her second, Pleasant, both of whom died many years ago. ———t Some very swell wedding invitations come from Knowles, 24 Second street. Maln 508. * — . HARWICH, England, Jan. 11.—The report that a British cruiser had gone ashore on the Gunfleet sand bank is unfounded. ————— Piso's Cure for Consumption relieves ail bronchial affections. Try it at once. 25c.r ¢ o to take in| the teams of the entire coast, may be | | short time ago with a membership of | There will | | mediate cause of Blaise's death, but in Last night | the battle he evidently made for his life the assassin’s blade descended again 1 and again, ripping gashes in the vic- | tim's scalp. The police have Leon Soeder, a ol o brother-in-law of the murdered man, under arrest for the crime, Not only is the accused said to have murdered his relative who now lies in the Morgue, but he is suspected of hav- ing taken the life of his own wife. She died mysteriously near Petaluma a few months ago and he collected insurance on her life. Then a ranch house that was Soeder's property burned, and again the insurancé people were called upon to pay a claim presented by him. | The crime of yesterday was diabolical- ly planned according to the investiga- tion made by the detective department. Blaise was brought to this country by Soeder, and the last named attempt- ed to insure Blaise's life for $5000 in New York City. Failing in this, he tried to induce the Pacific Mutual Com- pany of this city to give him a $10,000 policy, but the insurance people became suspicious and refused to allow more than $3000. Later he succeeded in tak- ing out an accident policy for a similar amount, in which he was made the beneficiary. The murdered man could not speak English, and Soeder transact- ed all of his business for him, interpret- ing what he said and telling him what- ever he wished. LURES VICTIM HERE. Blaise was about 30 years of age. He had been marrigd to Soeder’s sister for geveral years and was the father of three children. Blaise and his family lived quietly at Hub, Alsace Lorraine, Germany, until some months ago; when Soeder went back to the little place on a visit. The last named had lived in the United States for more than twen- ty vears, and into the ears of his brother-in-law he poured stories of great possibilities in California, and the two came here together about five weeks ago. Blaise was unable to speak any language except the German, and being a stranger in the country de- pended upon Soeder for direction and advice. Both were cooks by occupa- tion, but since their return had not been able to secure emplcyment. On Decemebr 13 both men arrived in this city and took apartments at 827 Jackson street. They appeared to be quiet people and gave as an excuse for ADVERTISEMENTS. AT ST SRR |r The Voice of l VOSC ..DIANOS... Is remarkably rich in fonal qualitics—the cvimination of hall a century’s piano build- ing cxperience. Built on gracetvl and durable lincs, it is an ideal piano for the home and a lasting satisfaction to the purchaser : : : : : Benj. Curtaz & Son 16 O’Farrell St., S. F. San Jose, Stockton, Alameda, Fresno. STUDEBAKER BROS. (OMPANY - ~ We are again in our build- ing at Market and 10th Streets with a clean, &p-to-date stock of vehicles. Everything old was de- stroyed by fire } i | | | I 1 | | | | | their idleness the small demand for la- borers of their craft. On December 23 Soeder applied to the Pacific Mutual Company for a $10,000 policy on Blaise's life. Immediately the agents of the concern became suspigious and report- ed the matter to headquarters. It ap- peared strange that a cook, without a positipn, would desire such a large pol- icy, but, owing to the honest appear- ance of the man, a policy for $3000 was granted him. Soeder did all the talking while in the offices of the insurance people. When the policy was taken out $103 was pald for it, ahd Blaise's wife was made his beneficiary. On January 1 of the present year the two again visited the Pacific Mutual building and each took out a policy for 3$3000. Soeder was made Blaise's bene- ficiary and vice versa. MAKES BRUTAL ATTACK. It was shortly after 8 o’clock yester- day morning When the body of a man was found on Taylor street between Green and Vallejo. At this point the ground is high, and adjacent to it is a bluff of masonry that extends dome for- ty feet ihto the air. The body lay on its back, and a gaping wound, from which much blood had ' flowed, was found in the neck. There were also cuts on the back of the head, dealt by a sharp instrument. At first it was be- lieved that the victim had been hurled over the cliff. Later it was found that the deed had been done where the body was found and that the attack of the assassin had been quick and sure. The body was found by Wiliam Ho- gan, who reported his discovery to | Sergeant H. H. Christlansen, who re- sides. in .the neighborhood. The ser- geant hurried to the scene and notified the detective department and then the morgue officials. % Captain Martin, Sergeant Christian- sen and Detectives Charles Cody and Tom Gibson started to work at once and after a thorough examination of the scene learned the identity of the murdered man. A letter written by his wife gave his address and the land- lady, Mrs. J. Nevilas, from whom he secured apartments, told of the pres- ence of Soeder. The latter was re- quested to visit police headquarters and did so. SOEDER TELLS STORY. Soeder told the detectives how he had brought Blaise to this country and of their efforts to secure employment. He #aid both had gone to dinner from their rcom about 5 o'clock Sunday afternoon and after a repast at a Mexican res- taurant on Broadway had returned soon after 6 o'clock. Then, Soeder says, 1 Blaise announced his intention of tak- jing a walk. He went from the place alone, and Soeder claims he never saw him alive afterward. ‘When questioned as to the amount of money Blaise had in his possession the relative stated that when he ar- rived in this city he had $200,- and that when he left the house Sunday night he had $90 in his pockets. In account- ing for the disappearance of $110 within five weeks, Soeder told of the life in- surance policy made in favor of the woman. but he failed to mention that in which he was named as beneficiary. Soeder then said that he was not un- easy when Blaise did not return, be- * GERMAN COOK WHO WAS MURDERED UNDER MYSTERIOUS CIR- CUMBSTANCES AND HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW, WHO HAS BEEN AR- RESTED ON SUSPICION. — Coas cause he thought he had gone to visit a‘family out on the Mission road and | had remained there for the night. Early | yesterday he asked the landlady If his friend had come home, and upon being | informed that he had not says he im-“ mediately started out to the address| on the Mission road to s what had become of him. When he went back to| the Jackson street house later in the| day the detectives had already been there, and he was instructed to go to the Central police station. Soeder’s story seemed frank enough, and when | he viewed the body at the murdered | maf at the Morgue he evinced emotion. There seemed to be no reason for de-| taining him and he was permitted to g0 on his way. INSURANCE PEOPLE TALK. Newspaper men informed Secretary S. M. Marks of the Pacific Mutual Com- pany of the murder and questioned him | regarding the insurance. , Marks w: surprised and immediately told of the incidents that led up to the granting of the policy. This information was communicated | to the police and at once detectives| were dispatched to again find Soeder. | In the meantime Captain Martin ascer- | tained the facts surrounding the is- suance of the other policies as stated above. Tue landlady said she heard the pai~ leave the house at 5 o'clock. the time they went to dinner, but did not hear | them return an hour later, when Soeder says they did. The body had lain all night in the | roadway. It was stiff and cold, and | the clothing was drenched with moist- ure. There is another point on which the police lay stress. The amount of | money possessed by Blaise was but $200, according to the . statement made by the man now under ar- rest. A $10,000 policy, had it been given, would have cost nearly double that amount, and Soeder would have had to furnish the funds. His readi- ness to put up a large amount of money for a relative with whom he had just become acduainted, the po- lice say, furnishes a motive for the | erime. Last night the police found a knife in Soeder’s room, with which, they claim, the crime was committed. When ‘confronted with the evidence against him Soeder remained firm in| his denials. He was placed in the tanks and the investigation will go on to-day. —_——————e Ex-Officials File Protest. Ex-Secretary .J. Emery and -several other ex-emploves of the Board of Healthr appeared last evening before the Civil Service Commissioners and lodged a protest against their recent removal from their positions. The ex- officials of the Board of Health claim- ed that they were civil service em- ployes and that the act of abolishing ; their offices and consolidating them’ out of office was illegal. The Civil Service Commissioners decided to make an investigation of the matter next Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. —_——— | and Boys,"” | equipped fom industrial educati BANNER YEAR 1S ITS BOAST Reports at Annual Meeting of the Y. M. (. A. Reveal the Growth of the Organization SHOWS BIG MEMBERSHIp PRI ot tudents So Numerous That They Tax Aecommodation of the Educational Departments —_— An enthusiastic meeting convened at the Y. M. C. last night, when th annual reports were read and the elec. tion of directors was held. Rolla Watt presided. It was statgd in the reports that g-eatest ye din the history of the a sociation had been in 19 the jubilee year. It during the year the mortgage 0 had been paid and the building dedicated by President Roosevel May 12 last. It had been, therefore. a year of exceptional ppiness r those in whose hands the managem and direction rested A nominating committee, of wh Willlamy D. Kelly was chairman, made | its report and the following directors lected by acclamation for a three years Edward. Coleman, Rolla V. Watt, A. P. Black, Robert Bruce, A. S. Johnson and L. H. Cary The reports of the various secrataries and committees showed that the werk of the association had reached a high state of efficiency and the member had reached nearly 2000. Both day and night'schdols, shown, were taxed almost to the and it was stated that an extra structor and anotHer room would so be necessary to carry on the educa- tional work. Nearly 60¢ night and day and working and so the department that list has been established Several hundred young men have se cured employment during the year through the employment agegey of the ociation the men's Su cial-religious ur had * mo than doubled in attendance, while the Bible study department had also largsly in- creased. It was further shown that ciation is doing rapid and strong exten- sion work, and especially will this the case throughout the various sec- tions the city in the future. A branch has been established in the Pre- sidio and the work among the troops has been most encouraging. Addresses were made during the even- udents are enrolled in the schools for young m a waiting »oys, boys’ ay the a ing on following jects: “Our Work For Young Men in Foreign Fields,” F. Jackson; “Our Work of Practical Education For Young Men Le Roy Burns Smith; “O Religious Efforts,” George B. McDou- gall; “Our Gymnasium and Department,” Howard Side of Our ) : “What We Uandertake So- S. Fulford; “Our Member- F. E. Miller. Following these addresses there was a genera! discussion. It was suggested that the special need of the associa was a separate building for n. e ——— Will Give Entertalament. The Ladles’ Endeavor Society of Congregation Beth Israel will hold jts ninth annual greeting and entertain- ment Thursday evening at Golden Gate Hall. The programmg. under the direction-of Mrs. Alfred Cohn, in- cludes an athletic exhibition by the members of the Young Men's Hebrew Association, to be followed by dan- cing. ADVERTISEMENTS. BALD HEADS COVERED With Loxoriant Hair and Crusted Scaips Cleansed and Parified by CUTICURA S0AP Assisted by Light Dressings of Cuticura, the Great Skin Cure. This treatment at once stops flllng bair, removes crusts, scales and dan- druff, destroys hair parasites, soothes irritated, itching surfaces, stimalates the hair follicles, loosens the scalp skia, supplies the roots with energy acd nour- ishment, and makes the hair grow upon & sweet, wholesome, healthy scalp whea all else falls. Milllons now rely on Cuticura Sosp, assisted by Cuticurs Ointmens, the great skin cure, for preserving, purify- ing and beantifying the skin, for cleans- ing the scalp of crusts, scsles and daadraff, and the stopplog of falling h!r, for softening, whitening and soothing red, r and sore , for o ng ough hands. s and chafings. for sannoying irritations, er too free or offensive perspiration, for ulcerative weaknesses, and -u: sanative, anti- septic purposes which readily sagzest themselves, as well as for all the pur- poses of the toilet and nursery. Complete treatment for every hamonr, consisting of Cuticura Soap, to cleanse the skio, Cuticura Ointment, to heal the skin, and Caticura Resolvent Pills, to cool and cleanse the blood, may now be had for one doliar. A siugle set s often sufficient to care the most tortar- ing. disfiguring, itching, burning and scaly humours. eczemas, rashes and irritations, from Infaney to age, when all else fails. WASHINGTON, Jan. 11.—The State De- t is informed that General Khan, the n Minister, has been transferred (o S -