"The Daily Humboldt Times" Eureka, California
Wednesday, June 2, 1897
A WEDDING DISTURBED
Last Saturday afternoon, a few minutes after Rev. G. H. Merrill had
pronounced Mr. Oluf Andreason & Miss Ellen Black man & wife, at
the home of Mr. Andreason in North Ferndale, Joseph Black, a brother to
the bride, & who objected to the union, appeared on the scene, &
upon learning that the knot had been tied, went into a furious rage, &
proceeded to demolish things generally. He upset the tables, broke the
flower vases, lamp, mirror, etc. & would undoubtly have seriously hurt
Mr. Andreason had not J. P. Lind, F. W. Andreason, electrician Wright,
Lew Klesper, & several of the workmen employed in the Mechanical shop,
interfered. He attempted to assault Rev. Mr. Merrill, also for the part
he took in the marriage & it was quite awhile before he could be subdued
& brought to his senses. The groom escaped with a few scratches, as
did also his brother, F. W. Andreason, who with Mr. Lind grabbed the young
man soon after he entered the house. The result of the fracus was that
Mr. Black was arrested immediately after the disturbance on a warrant charging
him with battery, sworn to by Mr. Andreason & at 7 o'clock Saturday
evening he pleaded guilty before Judge Smith, who fined him $50, the fine
being paid. Mr. Black works as a milker for R. S. Tyrell, & has the
reputation of being a sober, industrious young man, but possesses a violent
temper, which when aroused renders him almost insane.
"The Daily Humboldt Standard" Eureka, California
Monday, August 30, 1897
ALASKAN RICHES
The latest news from the Klondyke gold rush in Alaska gives the names
of some Humboldters who have struck it rich: J. R. Dinsmore, who is a member
of the firm of Marshall & Dinsmore in Eureka, $8,000 & an interest
in a claim on Hunker creek worth $50,000; Skiff Mitchell of Eureka, worth
one million dollars; Humboldt Gates of Eureka, worth $100,000 with claims
on Bonanza & El Dorado creeks, Mitchell & Dinsmore have the richest
claims on the Klondyke. It pays $4,000 to the box. Their clean-up last
year on surface dirt was $113,000. At present they are working 28 men.
"The Daily Humboldt Standard" Eureka, California
Wednesday, March 17, 1897
FITZSIMMONS KNOCKED OUT CORBETT IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT at CARSON
CITY, NEVADA
"The Daily Humboldt Standard" Eureka, California
Thursday, March 18, 1897
The first fruits of the Corbett-Fitzsimmons fight have been seen at
one of our city schools to-day. One boy tried the "knockout" blow used
by Fitzsimmons on a playmate, "just for fun," & suceeded beyond his
fondest hopes. He knocked the boy out & is now in trouble over the
trick, done just to see if it were possible, or, as he told his teachers,
just for fun. Other results of a similar nature may be expected to follow.
102
"The Daily Times" Eureka, California
May 3, 1889
Yesterday morning shortly before noon, a man, who lives in this city,
attempted to glide out into the corridors of the unknown world by cutting
his throat with a pair of paperhanger's shears. His wife discovered him
in the act of laceration & called on a gentleman who was passing at
the time. The man tried to prevent the gentleman from getting into the
house, but an entrance was effected, & after some trouble, the would-be
suicide was disarmed. It was discovered that he had inflicted 2 ugly gashes
on his throat, which were bandaged up until medical assistance could be
summoned Family trouble is said to be the cause for the deed.
"The Daily Times" Eureka, California
Sunday, May 12, 1889
We would suggest that the practice of staking out cows on the streets
to feed is a very dangerous one, & should not be indulged in. It was
only last week that a cow thus fastened on one of our streets, straightened
her rope under the feet of a buggy team & nearly caused a runaway.
There can be no possible harm from leading cows on the streets to feed,
but they should be under the care of a competent person while there.
"The Daily Times" Eureka, California
Saturday, April 6, 1889
W. H. Pratt's old delivery horse ran away with a load of parlor furniture
yesterday, some of which was broken. Will says that Dr. Lawson is responsible
for the accident as only a short time ago he filed the old horse's teeth
down so that he has been able to masticate large quantities of oats. The
damage was slight.
"The Daily Times" Eureka, California
Sunday, May 12, 1889
It has long been known to the officers of this city that the Italian
vegetable dealers were retailing liquor in their back rooms contrary to
law, but until lately it has been impossible to secure the necessary evidence
to convict them. It was obtained at last however, & yesterday Mark
Domingo, G. Franks & B. Ferrari were arrested, & on pleading guilty
were fined $50.00 each.
"The Daily Times" Eureka, California
Wednesday, June 12, 1889
John Forsell living at the corner of A & Huntoon streets has been
paralyzed on one side of his body & unable to support his wife &
2 small children. Rev. S. A. Elming has collected & paid over to the
family $14.00 which was received with much thankfulness.
103
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Tuesday, April 25, 1899
The largest horse in Humboldt county is dead. He was a Val Jean, belonging
to the Mahan boys of Eureka, & weighed at one time 2200 pounds. His
death is a severe loss to the young attorneys who own the old Mahan place
on Mad River & had kept the horse for breeding purposes.
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Tuesday, July 18, 1899
Word reaches us from Petrolia that the report in the last issue of the
Enterprise relative to the experience of Photographer Crippen, of Ferndale
& Dr. Felt, of Eureka with a bear up the north fork of the Mattole
river the first of last week, while correct in many of its details, was
incorrect in that they did not kill the bear at all, although they were
accessories to the fact. The truth of the matter is that they frightened
the poor bear by their cannonading, & in attempting to evade them the
bear fell over an embankment, breaking his leg. Crippen & Felt, seeing
the monster go over the bank, supposed that he had been hit by a stray
shot, & after summoning sufficient courage they struck out for Petrolia
saluting every one they met with "We've killed a bear, we've killed a bear."
On reaching Petrolia they worked on their imaginations to such an extent
that they had the bear "opened up" & suspended on a limb, & wanted
Peter Canepa to go immediately & photograph him. They hired Johnnie
Titus to return with them to pack the bear to market, but when Johnnie
reached the "slaughter ground," strange to say, there was no bear to be
seen. Johnnie had his dogs with him, however, & in a couple of hours
Mr. Bear was discovered feeding on a side hill. A couple of shots from
Titus' rifle "did the business," & Wednesday evening had the bear's
hide on exhibition at Petrolia & Johnnie furnished the public with
the true facts in the matter. Crippen sent for Ben Hart & left town
immediately for Wilder Ridge. Dr. Felt has been in seclusion up the North
Fork ever since.
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Tuesday, August 1, 1899
A strange thing happened to Ernest Weaver, formerly of Ferndale, since
his stay in the Klondike. When Ernest was quite young, all his hair came
out, & for years he had to wear a wig. Soon after reaching the frozen
north, his hair took a fresh start, & the Enterprise is informed that
his wig is to be discarded, & that he will sport again as fine a head
of hair as anybody.
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Tuesday, August 8, 1899
"Wheelbarrow" Jack's 13 year old daughter, who lives near the mouth
of Eel river, weighs 192 pounds & measures 37 inches around the waist.
104
"The Daily Humboldt Standard" Eureka, California
Friday, October 22, 1897
INSANE ASYLUM SCANDAL
The Napa Institution a Veritable Thieve's Den
Trouble reigns in the Napa Insane Asylum --- trouble compared with which the difficulties of Agnews are a mere flash in the pan, says the "San Francisco Chronicle." At Napa a perfect den of thievery & dishonesty has been disclosed, & employee's heads are falling into the basket by the dozen. All the discharges have not been made yet, but a clean sweep of the culprits is to be made.
The investigation which has disclosed a remarkable system of thievery & fraud in the big asylum was set on foot by Dr. Gardner, superintendent of the institution, & the Lunacy Commissioners. There seems to be an extraordinary leak somewhere in the asylum's affairs, & the directors decided to start out in search of it. The services of a detective were brought into play at the request of Dr. Gardner, & the leak was found.
Eight weeks ago a reliable man was obtained & put in the asylum as an attendant. He was quiet & unassuming, but observing, going about his duties so unobtrusively that he was soon regarded by the attendants as one of them, & no special pains were taken to hide from him the peculations that were of daily occurrence. In fact, he was invited to participate & cooperate. A sort of larceny exchange was found to be going on in the institution. One attendant would help himself to the supplies in his charge & exchange with another department, so that individuals were clothed & whole families were fed on the Statets supplies. Shoes, clothing, food, bed-linen, soap --all the necessaries & some of the luxuries of life --- were going out of the pantries & closets by the armful.
The prevailing dishonesty was so widespread that at first the report made by the detective-attendant could hardly be credited, but he was able to substantiate it, & before the guilty parties knew that they were under suspicion the heads began to drop.
Dr. Gardner, who thought he could trust his employees, but could never quite account for the apparent extravagance of the institution, was astounded to find the place honeycombed under his feet with corruption. The peculations, small when considered individually, assumed serious proportions in the aggregate, amounting to many thousands of dollars.
Some twenty-five light-fingered attendants have already been dropped by Dr. Gardner. The cause was held back, as an effort was made to avoid a public scandal.
The employees were dropped gradually, as putting all of them out at once would have caused too much talk, & Dr. Gardner, though in nowise to blame, feels keenly the disgrace to the institution & the dishonesty of those whom the State trusted.
From now on employees at Napa will have to clothe themselves & families & feed the latter from private stores.
"The Arcata Union" Arcata, California
Saturday, February 6, 1897
Minnie Crainage was granted a divorce from James P. Crainage last Saturday.
Minnie was married in 1891, when a child of fifteen to a man more than
three times her age. On the day the divorce was granted Minnie married
Charles Farrens, owner of a popcorn stand in Ferndale.
105
"The Daily Humboldt Standard" Eureka, California
Monday, September 5, 1898
DRUNK & DRIVING
A sailor named Johnson came in from Fields Landing to attend church
last evening but got off his course & fetched up & all standing
in the police dock just as all hands were being piped to prayers. The horse,
which belonged to Liveryman Swanson of Fields Landing, in this case escaped
with its life but the great welts raised on its body, & the broken
whip stock bore mute evidence of the severe treatment it had received from
its drunken & cruel driver. Owing to Johnson's drunken condition the
animal had been taken away from him shortly after his arrival in the city
but he managed to secure the rig again & when arrested by Officer Barnum
about 5 o'clock was lashing the horse down Second street at a break-neck
gait. As a result of his wild driving he was thrown from the buggy &
lost a large section of cuticle from his nose & only for the arrival
of the officer it was probable would have fared worse at the hands of an
excited crowd who had witnessed his cruel treatment of the animal. Charges
of drunkenness & fast driving were placed against him after which he
was released upon furnishing bail of $5 on the first charge & $20 on
the second. Johnson, last evening, demanded a jury trial, but it is probable
that he will change his mind before tomorrow at which time the case will
be called in the Police Court.
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Tuesday, May 24, 1898
Rohnerville has quite a character in the person of Mrs. Mary G. Lithgow,
79 years of age, who lives entirely by herself in a house which she principaly
constructed with her own hands, & her premises are really a sort of
menagerie. --- Every imaginable thing is clustered about the premises in
a manner most enchantingly disordered; bedding, garden & farm utensils,
clothing, food, fruit, washtubs are all massed together among pictures
& crude attemps at drawing, which the old lady delights in showing
to her visitors as specimens of her art.
"The Daily Humboldt Standard" Eureka, California
Wednesday, November 16, 1898
BOLD BAD BOY BURGLAR
The sight of a toy air gun in the American Tea Store on F street Sunday
afternoon tempted a little fellow not yet in his teens to commit burglary.
The sight of the weapon set the boy's heart longing for it & he proceeded
to obtain possession by breaking in a pane of glass in a rear window of
the store & through the small aperture thus made he suceeded in getting
in & out of the store bringing the gun with him. He did not enjoy it
very long, however, for on the following day it was identified in his possession
& returned. Without any apparent idea of the seriousness of his offense
telling just how he obtained it. He had seen the gun & wanted it so
he went in & got it, he said.
106
"The Daily Humboldt Times" Eureka, California
November 1893
Alice Nowland, a dusky dame of Ethiopian extraction indulged in a little
too much hysterical whiskey Tuesday night & as a result awoke the echoes
of the lower levels about midnight, with her volcalization. This brought
two thirds of the night police on the scene at double quick, but Alice
proved to be a sprinter of no mean ability & led Officers Brown &
Butler a merry chase before they gathered her in. Alice spent the night
in the receiving vault & in the morning when brought before Judge Carr
told him as an excuse for her screeches of the night before that she had
been robbed & was calling the police. But "it didn't go" & Alice
was obliged to soothe the outraged feelings of the law with a $10 gold
piece.
"The Daily Humboldt Times" Eureka, California
Thursday, September 13, 1894
THE MAN EATER AGAIN
Ollie Nowlin, the notorious colored maneater, made another attempt to
chew up the Eureka Police force. Ollie had indulged in too much tanglefoot
& as usual on such occasion undertook to capture the lower levels.
She had things all her own way for awhile & that part of the town was
about to surrender unconditionaly when Officer Hitchings happened on the
scene, & she immediately turned her attention to him. She isn't very
big but the stimulants she had imbibed had evidently sharpened her appetite
& she started in manfuly (?) to appease her hunger with choice morsels
from Harry's hands, there being no step ladder handy to enable her to reach
his face. Of course Harry objected to this repast, but being unable to
handle the woman without hurting her, he called for help. J. P. Holt responded
but soon wished he hadn't for Ollie forcibly resented his interference
with her meal by giving him a swing that sent him almost across the street.
Holt came up smiling, however, & returned to the fray & with the
officer suceeded in holding the ebony terror until an express wagon arrived
& she was bundled in & carted off to Jail. Ollie has now had a
piece out of every man on the force, & it has been suggested that for
the protection of the force, which is not over large at present that she
be compelled to wear a muzzle.
"The Daily Humboldt Standard" Eureka, California
Tuesday, June 25, 1895
Ollie Nowlin, the "cullered person" who has caused the police so much
trouble, left on the steamer Humboldt today on a ticket purchased by the
city. The "Times" reporter is now disconsolate, as he will have no opportunity
to spread himself on "operatic write ups," etc. on the occasions of that
individual's regular celebrations.
107
"The Daily Humboldt Times" Eureka, California
Saturday, August 4, 1883
A RUNAWAY COUPLE
Two Women Who Left Their Husbands in Humboldt County.
On a recent trip of the steamer "City of Chester" from Humboldt bay, came four passengers who by their strange actions caused considerable comment. Two were women & two men. They all pretended to be strangers to each other, eating & sleeping separately, but frequently they were noticed in out of the way places on the steamer to be in close conversation. Upon the landing of the steamer at Broadway wharf they left together, & shortly were interupted by two men & two women, when a heated discussion sprang up, resulting in a harmless tussle between two of the women. Mutual friends interfered & the whole party drove on uptown in a couple of carriages, since which time nothing has been heard of their movements, although it has been learned that the four passengers were two runaway couples from the backwoods of Humboldt county. The older woman was aged about forty years & left her husband & four children in a logging camp near Eureka to try her fortunes with a young man apparently not over nineteen years old, who had made a precarious living in the northern county by sporting methods. She was not the most prepossessing woman in the world, & the young man, while not bad-looking, would answer admirably for a San Francisco hoodlum had he on the proper dress. The other woman was somewhat possessing, flashily dressed, & about nineteen years old. She had also left a husband in the logging camp to accompany a gray whiskered old fellow that could not be far under sixty years of age. He was roughly dressed, but sport a massive gold chain & a couple of rings with huge stone settings. From rumors he left in Humboldt county a wife & numerous children to rejoice over his departure, & the party that met the couples on the wharf simply wished to ascertain positively that they had flown, those interested up north having no desire for their return, nor to take any action that would spoil the plans of what they apparently consider "good riddance of bad rubbish."
The above if from the "San Francisco Call, "of Tuesday. The first couple
mentioned in the article are well known here, & the story is true excepting
that the woman left only three children instead of four. It was the most
heartless case of desertion by a mother of her innocent children --- two
girls & a boy, all under six years of age --- that we have ever known.
The name of the hoodlum that she went away with is Parnell. He came here
from Point Arena last spring, boasting of some exploits in the same line
that gives him his present notoriety. The woman's name we withhold, as
she is well connected, being the only daughter of well-to-do & respectable
parents who are old residents of this county. The other couple refered
to we know nothing of.
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Friday, October 23, 1891
Dr. Fred Lee Grant & a woman known as "Bull Dog Nell," indulged
in a street fight at Fortuna one day last week. Dr. Grant deposited a few
sheckels with the Fortuna Justice for his participation in the affair.
108
" The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Friday, June 1, 1894
BLEDSOE'S ALLEGED DOWNFALL
Anthony J, Bledsoe, the only Bledsoe, The apostle of purity, the self-rated
incorruptable representative of our people, has taken a down fall, which
politically, at least, puts the seal of condemnation upon him forever.
According to the reports he was caught by his wife in a back room of his
law office, the woman (Mrs. Hornaday) being the wife of a we,, known laborer
of Eureka. It is unnecessary to state that Mrs. Bledsoe was very indignent
& that the news got around in quick order. the irate wife has started
suit for divorce & among other things makes the startling statement
that her faithless spouse once accepted a $100 bribe at Sacramento. Mr.
Bledsoe denies the charge, claiming that it is all a damnable plot &
conspiracy on the part of his enemies to ruin him. He alleges that the
woman was a client with whom he was merely conversing in the back room
professionaly.
"The Ferndale Enterprise"
Friday, August 31, 1894
The divorce case of Anthony J. Bledsoe & Clara J. Bledsoe has been
on trial in our Superior Court for the past seven days, is from all accounts,
rich, rare & racy. The courtroom is crowded daily, intense interest
is evinced in the case. The evidence is all of sensation & much of
it is unfit for publication, especially in a family newspaper.
"The Ferndale Enterprise"
Friday, September 14, 1894
A verdict was brought in favor of the plaintiff, Clara Jane Bledsoe
who was granted an absolute divorce & custody of the minor child, Olive
May Bledsoe. Also, all costs & the entire community property with the
exception of the defendant's law library. The property consists of a house,
furniture & lot in Eureka, valued at about $2600 upon which there is
a mortgage for $900.
"The Daily Humboldt Times" Eureka, California
Friday, April 5, 1895
Assemblyman Bledsoe will locate permanently in Crescent City, Del Norte
county to take up the practice of law.
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Friday, November 15, 1895
Poor Bledsoe is out of luck. He recently went to Crescent City &
suceeded to the office of city attorney. He then resigned his position
of California Assemblyman from Humboldt county, but now the Crescent City
fathers have declared his office vacant on the ground that he has not been
a resident of that town for one year.
" The Daily Humboldt Standard" Eureka, California
Tuesday, June 20, 1899
A. J. Bledsoe, formerly of Humboldt county, has opened a law office
in Ukiah, Mendocino county.
109
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Friday, July 21, 1899
It is an old story to hear of someone having been given a letter to
mail & carrying it around for a week or two, but an Arcata lady received
a letter a few days ago which was certainly a record breaker in this respect.
The letter in question was received at the Arcata office on July lst, &
was postmarked in the Eureka office the same day. Imagine the surprise
of the recipient when she found that it was dated in 1881, & was received
just 19 years after it was written. The writer had been dead some 19 years
& the news contained in the letter was a trifle old. There seemed to
be no particular reason for holding back the letter.
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Tuesday, August 22, 1899
SIX KILLED
A few days ago a dinner was prepared at Coquille City, Oregon at a reception
tendered to Mrs. Oscar G. Brown, of Ferndale, & the result of the feast
was the death of six people. The chickens prepared for the dinner were
cooked in a tin vessel, in which they stood overnight, & when served
the following day proved to be poisoned. Mrs. Brown herself was unconscious
for ten hours, but her many friends here will be pleased to learn that
in a couple of days she was out of danger & is now fully recovered.
It is a sad ending to what was destined to be a happy social event.
Friday, September 1, 1899
The Enterprise learns that the report of the death of six people in
Oregon recently as a result of eating poisoned chicken was erroneous. Those
affected by the poison all recovered, although many of them were dangerously
ill for a time.
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Friday, November 3, 1899
Judge Wilson Friday made an order committing Andrew D. Robinson, known
as the "Wealthy Tramp" to the Napa Insane Asylum. Robinson first came into
notoriety by attempting to burn a building in the suburbs of Eureka. Subsequently
he was in evidence at Arcata, Korbel & Blue Lake at which places he
made life miserable for citizens of those places. He was taken below Saturday
by Sheriff Brown.
"The Arcata Union" Arcata, California
Saturday, November 30, 1889
Mendocino City had a highly sensational affair last week in which J.
E. Packard & Professor Fedderson figured conspiciously. Packard assaulted
Fedderson in a shocking manner cripling him so bad that he has been laid
up since in the Mendocino hospital for repairs. We understand Packard claims
Fedderson was taking undue liberties with his wife. Immediately after,
Packard left for parts unknown, taking with him his oldest child. He returned
to Mendocino Saturday evening.
110
"The Daily Humboldt Standard" Eureka, California
Monday, November 22, 1897
OUR BOASTFUL NEIGHBOR
The "Times" wakes up about once in two weeks & puts a bit of vim into its columns & proceeds to pat itself on the back. On the inside page of the "Times" this morning will be found the full report of the Grand Jury. The "Times" uses human machines.
This is the second time within a month that the "Times" has printed a fairly good paper, & it dances about it like a boy with its first new top.
The "Standard" too, uses "human machines,- fully as human as those who work on the "Times," & it pays them weekly for their work, instead of letting them complain on the streets that they can only get a dollar on the weeks pay roll.
Six families draw their support from labor done on the "Standard" &
part of the time, a seventh.
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Friday, April 9, 1897
A young schoolgirl of Eureka for some time has been robbing the graves
in Myrtle Grove cemetery of the flowers placed upon them. She was seen
carrying away a sackful! the other day, but was not apprehended.
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Tuesday, December 7, l897
Wednesday, the employees of Dolbeer & Carson's mill decorated President
McKinley's picture, which hangs in the building, with white roses &
yellow ribbons. The reason for this action was that each man, when he received
his monthly pay that day, was reminded of the promise of the company to
increase the wages of its employees, by receiving an additional $5, &
the workmen showed their appreciation of this sign of returning prosperity
in the manner above stated.
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Tuesday, November 9, 1897
Burr McConnaha, of Arcata, whose wife is suing him for divorce, attempted
suicide last week by the laudanum route, but was discovered in time to
save his life. He took two drachms of the poison.
"The Ferndale Enterprise"
Ferndale, California, Tuesday, August 17, 1897
Will Dahle of Rohnerville is said to be "Spavin Blind. as well as color
blind. He drove away the wrong horse at Rio Dell the other day. But Bill
is always in a scrape of some kind & he belongs to the church. Just
think of it.
111
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Tuesday, June 20, 1899
TEN DOLLARS REWARD.--- I will pay $10 to any person who will furnish information that will lead to the arrest & conviction of the party or parties who are guilty of pilfering from my buggy while I was in attendance at the church social in George Sweet's barn at Grizzly Bluff last Friday night. While I am thankful that my buggy robe was left me, I think it would be wise for the good people of the Grizzly Bluff section to unite in stopping this kind of work, & to assist in ferreting out those guilty of this & similar offenses. People who are interested in the good name of Grizzly Bluff, & who are desirous of stopping these proceedings, might do well to increase this reward.
Mark Fulmor
Friday, June 30, 1899
We are required to state that for 10¢ you can have your overcoats,
buggy robes, whips, etc. safely cared for at the July 4th Ball at Grizzly
Bluff.
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Friday, November 3, 1899
Calvin Kinman, a son & the only living representative of the family
of the famous pioneer & hunter, Seth Kinman, celebrated Saturday the
45th anniversary of his arrival in Humboldt county. His first home in this
county was on the spot where Fern Cottage (Joseph Russ home) now stands.
Cal now resides on the lower end of Table Bluff, where he has a productive
farm & is surrounded by peace & plenty.
"The Ferndale Enterprise" Ferndale, California
Friday, November 3, 1899
The three year old son of Mrs. Claude Young of Eureka had a narrow escape
from death Thursday evening. The youngster got hold of a morphine tablet
which Dr. Duddock had prepared for Mrs. Young's father, William Berry.
The doctor had placed five of the tablets in a small paper bag, but before
he left the house he noticed that one was missing. Investigation showed
that the child had swallowed the lost tablet & he was at once given
an emetic & his stomach relieved of the dangerous drug. As the tablet
contained a quarter of a grain of morphine, it is highly probable that
the poison would have acted with quick & fatal results on the child
if its loss had not been discovered in time.
"The Arcata Union" Arcata, California
Saturday, January 3, 1891
An energetic tramp beat three good-hearted men in Eureka out of a 2
cent postage stamp each, & then proceeded to invest the government
currency in a schooner of beer.
112
"The Daily Humboldt Times" Eureka, California
Thursday, January 18, 1883
PRONOUNCED SANE
On the 15th of this month C. D. Shuffleton filed an affidavit alleging that his wife, Mary Shuffleton, was now insane & dangerous to be at large. Yesterday Judge Haynes examined into the matter. The first witness sworn was C. D. Shuffleton, who testified that Mary, his wife, was insane; that she is very morose & angry at times. She wanders aimlessly around. There has been trouble in the family for some twenty years. She has taken provisions from the house to the value of $$10O; when she took the potatoes she was not living at my house; my boy told me that she had been under my house. She has brought an action for divorce. I gave her $10 last Sunday week. In her complaint she accuses me of mistreating her & adultry. In 1882, after we had a family row, she said she would get even with me; soon after this my house was burned.
Samuel Shuffleton, the son, testified' I believe my mother is insane; my principal reason is that she has begun a divorce suit; I found her under the house one night. She said she was after apples. It was about a month ago when I talked to her about being more quiet, it was about 7 o'clock when she went under the house after the apples. She has never had any reason to quarrel with me' she would bring up disagreeable things that occured years ago.
Dr. Gates testified that he had known Mrs. Shuffleton since 1858; had seen her frequently last week she came to my office & wanted me to go with her to get a warrant for Shuffleton's arrest' she said Shuffleton was running after young girls & was trying to get rid of her. I only know what she said about the divorce' don't consider the fact that a wife brings suit for divorce against her husband, alleging adultry, as evidence of insanity. I thought from her manner, that she might commit suicide; don't know anything about the opinion in Shasta about Mrs. Shuffleton's mental powers.
J. D. H. Chamberlin testified that Mrs. Shuffleton came to his office recently to bring a divorce suit. Her conduct was rational' I advised her not to condone the matter by living with her husband if she intended to sue for divorce, but to go & live with her friends until the divorce suit was over.
Mr. O' Donald testified that Mrs. Shuffleton is a sister of his wife;
that she is as sane as any person in the county. Drs. Gross & Foster
announced they had sufficient evidence & pronounced Mrs. Shuffleton
as being sane & she was discharged.
Thursday, January 18, 1883
An unpleasant & unnatural scene was witnessed in the courtroom yesterday.
It consisted of a big healthy young man's trying his level best to swear
his own mother into a lunatic asylum. It is a sure thing that this young
man has no idea of the love that is due from a son to a mother under &
all circumstances. His extreme desire to make out a case of insanity against
his mother disgusted everybody in the room.
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"The Daily Humboldt Times" Eureka, California
Thursday, December 2, 1897
MALICIOUS MISCHIEF
Complaint was lodged with the Chief of Police some time since that some
person, maliciously inclined, was amusing himself by breaking off the pickets
along Broadway street, on the fence which encloses the property of Mrs.
Dr. J. Clark. An officer was detailed to ascertain if possible who the
culprit was, & for a number of evenings Officer Armstrong has shadowed
the property. Last night he was rewarded for his cold, lonesome wait under
the cypress hedge that stands just inside the fence which has been disfigured
by the breaking off of dozens of pickets. As he was counting the stars
& looking for a new comet he heard a picket snap. Much to his surprise
he discovered that those who had broken it were two girls, who were accompanied
by a boy somewhat smaller. Several pickets were broken off by them as they
came up to where Armstrong stood secreted. The officer stepped out of his
hiding place as the trio reached him & placed them under arrest. They
were brought to police headquarters & Police Judge Melendy sent for.
Judge Melendy ordered the culprits released on their own recognizances
& ordered to appear before him at the Police Court at 7 o'clock this
evening, to answer to a charge of malicious mischief.
"The Daily Humboldt Times" Eureka, California
Thursday, September 30, 1897
A PECULIAR CASE at FORTUNA
Last evening Deputy Cororner E. E. Skinner was notified by Undertaker
H. A. Hanson, of Fortuna, of a peculiar complication that had arisen over
the burial of the 8 months-old child of James Martin of that place, that
died yesterday afternoon. It appears that the parents of the child are
Christian Scientists, & the physcians of Fortuna, refusing to sign
a certificate of death the Undertaker was thereby prevented from burying
the body, as the State law fixes a severe penalty in case he should do
so without a certificate of death from a physician. Deputy Skinner after
consulting the District Attorney with regard to his duty in the premises,
found that it would be necessary for him to go to Fortuna & enquire
into the cause of the child's death, & if satisfied that it died from
natural causes he could then issue a proper certificate of death. Mr. Skinner
will start for Fortuna early this morning.
"The Daily Humboldt Times" Eureka, California
Sunday, November 28, 1897
Lively Times in Police Circles
Friday night the police made a raid on two houses of ill repute in the
lower portion of the city & arrested a halfbreed & a regress with
them were two consorts, both white. Yesterday morning one of the women
paid a fine & one of the "gentlemen friends" took 15 days in the County
Jail. The other fellow demanded a jury trial which will be held next week.
He was permitted to visit his usual haunts, but the police gathered him
in again last evening & a charge of being drunk was registered against
him.
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"The Daily Humboldt Times" Eureka, California
Thursday, January 26, 1882
YOU SABE? --- A Chinaman is engaged in selling unstampted matches from
door to door through the city. He is evidently aware of the criminality
of the practice, for he usually asks the women folks at the houses where
he calls if "the man" is home, & being answered in the negative says,
"You sabe? Mee sellum matches !" We call the attention of the authorities
to this individual, & remind our readers that a fine attaches to both
the seller & purchaser of unstamped matches. The safe way is to go
to some store when you want to buy articles of merchandise. Our merchants
pay a license for the privelege of selling goods.
Friday, April 7, 1882
POLICE COURT --- The vote of the Chinese bill is already bearing fruit.
John O' Neil was before Judge Tompkins Wednesday on a charge of battery,
the victim being a Chinaman. It seems that O 'Neil had imbibed a little
whiskey about the same time that he learned of the fate of the Chinese
bill, & the mixture so worked upon his mind as to overcome his better
judgement. While entertaining a few men on the street corner with his views
on the Chinese question, he hailed a passing celestial & promptly knocked
him down. This was an act that brought O 'Neil to grief. He informed the
court that if the president would furnish no relief he would undertake
the job on his own account, & intimated that those who "stood in" with
the heathen had better look a little out. The court thought he needed a
little rest, & prescribed thirty days at the county jail.
Frank Rose paid $5.50 into the treasury for "battering" a Chinaman.
September 5, 1882
POLICE COURT --- Frank Smith was the first of a half dozen prisoners
introduced to His Honor, the Judge --- he was a quiet, well dressed young
man, but he was charged with battery on the person of one China Mary. Her
statement to the District Attorney was to the effect that Smith came to
her place Saturday night to get opium, which she refused to furnish. Whereupon
Smith struck her across the face with a club & fled to the street.
In fleeing he flew into the clutches of the night watch & was booked
for battery. Judge Kimball, who is temperarily discharging the duties of
Police Judge, charged him $25 for his sport & allowed him to depart.
Thursday, September 14, 1882
SIMPLE ASSAULT --- The District Attorney yesterday pled an information
against Ah Ying, charging him with an assault with a deadly weapon. The
Chinaman, who is employed by Allie Buhne on his farm, attempted to carve
one Engler, with a butcher knife for stating that he, the bad Ah Ying,
had burned the potatoes, & he could not eat them. This so enraged the
Chinaman that he would, no doubt, have cut Engler, according to the testimony,
only being prevented by John Hosta. Ah Ying remarking, as he went for Engler,
"You can't scare me, I plenty sabe. I have out two fellow,
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& I will brand you, too, G---d--- you." He was arraigned at the
convening of the court yesterday, & by consent of the District Attorney
plead guilty of a simple assault, & the court set today as the time
for pronouncing sentence.
"The Daily Times-Telephone" Eureka, California
Thursday, February 1, 1883
THE OPIUM CASE --- William D. Davis, charged with visiting a China house for the purpose of smoking opium, was brought befor the Police Court for trial yesterday. The following testimony was given in the case; Officer Lindsay states "I am the Marshal of this city' I know the defendant; I arrested him last Sunday in a China house here' I was in Ricks' stables when I saw him enter the China house ; I went to the house; the door to the room the defendant was in was locked; I tried to get in; they would not let me in at first; it was a room used for smoking opium; the pipe, the lamp & the opium was there; the defendant & Ah Goon were in the room.
Cross Examination: --- I followed him into the China house a few minures after he entered. Tom Ricks was with me when I went into the house.
William Davis: I am the defendant; I was in the China house on Sunday; I went into the China house to get a pair of shoes; I did not smoke opium; I had been working all day Sunday for Mr. Meads the shoes belonged to Mead & I went to get them.
Cross Examination: --- I don't know many Chinamen were in the houses I left the shoes in the China house because they were inconvenient to carry. Mr. Mead; The defendant worked for me last Sundays he had a pair of shoes belonging to me; I think he had them several days.
Cross Examination:--- He took those shoes about a week ago; I don't know how long he wore them; did not notice what shoes he was wearing.
Ah Sam: I know Davis; he left the shoes at my house about a week ago; I am a cooks have been at that house a month.
Cross Examination: --- I see him (Davis) on the street; he came & left the shoes at my house; I know Lindsay, I talked to him on Sunday morning; I did not tell Lindsay that Davis left the shoes there on Sunday morning.
Ah Goon: I live at Eel Rivers have been in Eureka a week or so; I live at the China restaurant; I was there when Davis came in on Sunday; Davis was sitting down in the room when the officer came in; Davis said he wanted shoes.
Cross Examination:--- There were other Chinamen in the house; the other Chinamen did not talk to me when Lindsay came; this was not the restaurant.
Rebuttal. --- Lindsay; --- Davis said he left the shoes there a week ago ; I went to the China house; the Chinaman told me Davis left them at the house on Sunday morning.
The judge stated that from his view of the evidence, there existed a
doubt as to what took the defendant to the China house, & he would
therefore discharge him from custody. Officer Lindsay had got hold of the
wrong proprietor, as Ah Goon was only a visitor in the house.
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"The Daily Humboldt Times" Eureka, California
Thursday, February 1, 1883
A FARCE --- To a spectator in our courts of law, the process of administering
the usual oath to Chinese witnesses cannot appear in any other light than
that of a farce. The hope it will exercise any influence over such witnesses
to adhere to the truth is utterly idle & vain. They care nothing for
the court & less for the oath that it administers. No reliance whatever
can be placed upon such testimony, & in nine cases out of ten they
leave the witness stand with the crime of perjury hanging over them. Such
a race of people can only prove a detriment in any community that lays
claim to civilization, progress & truth. Age only seems to steep them
deeper in their degraded filthy mode of life.
"The Daily Humboldt Times"
Friday, February 2, 1883
The Chinamen are burning colored paper & sticks, beating gongs &
tin pans to keep the devil away from their portion of the city. The infernal
noise that they are making will keep the devil or anything else away.
"The Daily Humboldt Times"
Wednesday, January 24, 1883
Yesterday afternoon Chinatown was in a state of excitement. There has
been a big "tan" game running in one of the houses day & night for
about two weeks. While gambling yesterday a dispute arose between the banker
& a celestial who was playing at the game. Finally they got so excited
that one of the friends of the banker seized a poker & struck the disturber
of the game over the head. Then there was a regular battle --- of tongues.
"The Daily Humboldt Times"
Tuesday, February 20, 1883
A "scene" occured on the steamship wharf, Sunday morning, that was anything
but proper, & by many spoken of as an outrage. A number of Chinamen
came up on the steamer, & as they landed, a crowd of boys & men
gathered about the gangway & seemed to take special delight in pushing
& jostling them, knocking their goods & chattels about as if they
were of no value whatever. Such conduct is becoming hoodlums, but not gentlemen,
& the fellows taking part in the sport should be made to suffer. The
Chinamen should receive the same protection that any other passenger receives,
having paid their money, & conformed to all regulations. No doubt those
who took a hand in the "fun" thought it was smart, but if they could be
made to realize the position they occupied in the minds of the law &
order loving people, they would appear very small indeed, even in their
own eyes.
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"The Weekly Times-Telephone" Eureka, California
Saturday, February 14, 1885
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY
David Kendall Killed Shot Dead by a Chinese Highbinder.
Bloody Chinese Riot --- Citizen's Meeting at Centenial Hall.
Citizen's In Council --- They Declare that the Chinamen Must Go.
And the Chinamen Do "Go". Chinatown Deserted -Incidents of the Brief Campaign.
At five minutes past six o'clock last evening, another riot broke out among the Chinamen domiciled on the north side of Fourth street below Ricks' stable, when firing commenced. Some nine or ten shots were fired in quick sucession, the shooting all being done in the street. Just at this time David Kendall, one of Eureka's best citizens, & a member of the City Council, in passing the northeast corner of E & Fourth streets, on his way from his dinner, was shot dead by one of the Chinese highbinders. He fell on his face &, being close to his residence, it was but a few moments before his wife was at his side. The scene that took place we will not attempt to describe. M. F. LaGrange, who was near Mr. Kendall when he fell, took hold of him & asked, "who is it?" Kendall replied, "Dave Kendall." He was carried to his home when he spoke a few words to Dr. Gross & W. H. Wyman before he expired. At a late hour last night Mrs. Maggie Sinclair, his only child, was in severe spasms, & fears were entertained that she would not survive the shock. Mrs. Kendall was also suffering intensely from nervous prostration, & dangerous results are feared.
It was also learned that a boy, the son of Mr. Balldschmidt, engaged in Pratt's furniture store, had also been shot in the foot while going home to supper. In less than five minutes the town was in
A Blaze of Excitement
The officers captured one Chinaman, supposed to be the one that killed Mr. Kendall. Then the cry was raised by the now thoroughly frenzied crowd to
Hang Him.
The officers, after considerable difficulty, in which the Chinaman was pretty badly used by the crowd, succeeded in getting him to the lock-up. By this time several hundred men had gathered around the corner of Fourth & F, some yelling to burn them out' others to hang them all, etc. About this time news came from the house of Mr. Kendall that he was dead. This news went through the crowd like a flash. It was then proposed to hold a
Meeting at Centenial Hall.
A bell was brought out, the hall was lighted up, & in less than twenty minutes after Mr. Kendall was shot, there were several hundred men in the hall. Mayor Walsh was called to the Chair & H. H. Buhne appointed Secretary.
The meeting was then addressed by A. J. Bledsoe, Frank McGowan &
Mr. Brown who dwelt on the evils incident to the hoarding of
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vicious Chinese in the very heart of our fair town. They were followed by T. M. Brown & George W. Hunter who, while sympathizing with the indignation of the audience, counseled moderation. The audience was tremendously excited & if any direct clue to the culprits had been known they would have inevitably swung them to the nearest lamppost. The utter impossibility of identifying the guilty parties proved however an unsurmountable impediment to their punishment. After Mr. Hunter had spoken, a motion was offered that a committee of fifteen be appointed to proceed to Chinatown & notify the leading Chinese that they & their cohorts must leave the town within twenty-four hours. The excitement & turbulence prevented us from getting the names of all the Committee, but amont its members were H. H. Buhne, Jr., Chairman: C. G. Taylor, Frank McGowan, W. S. Riddle, E. B. Murphy, W. L. Mercer, W. J. Sweasey, A. J. Bledsoe, N. A. Libbey, Dan - Murphy, James Simpson, James Brown, W. J. McNamara, H. Libbey & F. F. Thompson.
The committee retired & sent for three leading Chinamen of each side of the warring factions. The Chinese were informed that the meeting had resolved that they must vacate their present quarters within 24 hours. A meeting will be held at Centennial Hall at 1 o' clock this afternoon to hear the report of the committee & take such further action in the matter as they may deem advisable.
At 12 o'clock last night the city was quiet & the lights in Chinatown extinguished. Groups of men to the number of 20 or 30 were standing about on different street corners, quietly discussing the situation, & wondering what tomorrow would bring forth. There was no drunkenness or boisterous talk though there seems to be a deep-rooted feeling of bitterness against the murderers of Kendall. We trust that wise counsels will prevail today & that no extreme measures will be resorted to. This would only involve the loss of life & property. But the Chinese must go. The life of the lamented Kendall could not be atoned for by the stretching of one hundred of their worthless necks.
What was predicted in an editorial in the "Times-Telephone" of February 5th under the caption of "Wipe Out the Plague Spots," is history today. The hand of the miserable heathen assassin has stricken down one of our best citizens, & one who was universally esteemed in the walks of life.
After the citizen's meeting on Friday evening had dispersed, the Committee of Fifteen met & plain talk was indulged in. Three representatives of each of the contending parties --Masons & Highbinders, although both are highbinders to the fullest meaning of that term --were brought before the committee by Marshal Lindsay & his Aides. They were instructed that all Chinamen must be ready to go on the steamers yesterday. It was evident that they appreciated the situation, for within half an hour after the committee entered upon its duties of personal notification the Celestials
Commenced Packing Up,
The committee did its work throughly. Every quarter of the city known to be infested with this heathen, opium-smoking, disease-breeding element was visited & due notification given of what the citizens of Eureka meant in connection with this movement & what
They Intended To Do,
A representative of the "Times-Telephone" watched movements in the Chinese
quarter until nearly daylight on Saturday morning. The
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denizens of that filthy disreputable neighborhood seemed to be disposed to act promptly. Stocks of merchandise were packed in cases as
Fast as Possible.
And every disposition shown to obey the edict which had gone forth. It was an unwilling & ardous task in some instances, but in most instances was done with great alacrity. At daylight yesterday morning Fourth street presented a lively scene. Express wagons, drays & transportation facilities of all kinds were brought into requisition. Stacks of goods were piled on the sidewalks, & before noon twenty-three loads were laid down on the steamship wharves. In accordance with the dictation of the populace the Chinamen, as fast as their goods were removed, wended their way to the steamships "Humboldt" & "Chester." This movement seemed to be performed in perfect good timing & the congregated ones on the wharves did not appear to feel that they were so soon to become exiles from old scenes. In fact, they seemed anxious for sailing hour to come (& we did not blame them), but it did not come yesterday.
Early Yesterday Morning
Fourth street, between E & F streets, was crowded with people who watched the movements of the Chinese with close interest. Quiet & good order reigned, & there was no disposition to molest the exiles shown. Gradually the streets & sidewalks were cleared of the accumulated mass of merchandise & household goods, & the Chinese seemed to appreciate that there was good reason why they should obey the dictation of the people of Eureka. So far as the tragedy of Friday night was concerned, both parties disclaimed any participation in it or any knowledge ad to who the chief actor in the tragedy was,
There was one feature in the programe which we cannot do otherwise than condemn. It was the erection of a scaffold with all the
Hanging Paraphenalia
on 4th street, between E & F streets. The landmark was a sugestive one, but in our idea, entirely uncalled for in the face of the fact that the Chinese populace was using every possible effort to comply with the edict of the citizen's committee. It may possibly have lent some awe for the occasion, but there was no necessity for it. Candid well considered action is always appreciated by right thinking citizens, but in our notion the joke was carried too far in this instance. No doubt the people who so willingly & ernestly participated in the erection of that scaffold remembered that an
Esteemed Fellow Citizen
had been ruthlessly slain in the prime of life, but they should also have remembered that they had submitted a settlement of the matter to a committee of their own choosing, & that said committee had done its work faithfully & well.
The edict had gone forth that "the Chinese must go," & before noon yesterday there was a general raid on Chinese washhouses which had not yet returned the week's complement of clean linen. In some instances the owners succeeded in reclaiming the 120 clothes which their moms called for' in others they did not, the plea in extenuation of failure being "bosses gone.' Comparatively speaking, the losses were small.
At 1 o clock p. m. yesterday, there was a vast assemblage of people at Centennial Hall to hear the report of the
Citizens Committee
Which was attentively listened to, & after a few pertinent remarks by parties who have the welfare of the city at heart, the following resolutions were adopted without dissent:
1st. That all Chinamen be expelled from the city & that none be allowed to return.
2nd. That a committee be appointed to set for one year, whose duty shall be to warn all Chinamen who may attempt to come to this place to leave, & to use all reasonable means to prevent their remaining. If the warning is disregarded, to call a mass meeting of citizens to whom the case will be referred for proper notion.
3rd. That a notice be issued to all property-owners, through the daily papers, requesting them not to lease or rent property to Chinese.
4th. Every man who has no visible means of support & who habituates houses of prostitution or gambling dens, be allowed until Saturday, the 14th day of February, 1885, to leave the city.
The assemblage, numbering not less than six hundred persons, then dispersed & marched in procession through several of the principal streets, passing on the way the residence of our lamented City Councilman, David Kendall. No indiscreet act was done while passing through the Chinese quarter, & on returning to the "Times-Telephone" corner the procession disbanded.
During Friday night a number of Celestials left the city, some taking the Arcata road, while others wended their way in the direction of the Eel River valley. This fact being ascertained, scouts were sent out yesterday morning, & in most instances the fugitives were returned.
Early in the morning the flags in the city & on the shipping in the harbor were raised to half mast as a token of repect to the memory of
Councilman Kendall
The feeling in behalf of a citizen who was so universally respected could not be misunderstood, & during the day the remark was many times made that "I can't feel that Captain Kendall is dead." The sympathies of the community have gone out to mourners many times within a year, but in no instance have they been more heartfelt than in this particular instance. If ever pure sympathy went out to a bereaved wife & children it is in connection with the tragic death of one respected & beloved fellow citizen, the victim of a miserable element which should be banished from every community in this land where religious teaching & free schools are the watchword.
Yesterday afternoon it was announced that the steamers could not get
out to sea because of shoal water on the bar, & that 6 o'clock this
morning was the comencement starting time. This announcement caused some
squad deliberations in regard to the situation, but the citizen's committee
had done its work so