The San Francisco call. [volume], April 14, 1910, Page 1, Image 1

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

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A new inventor outlines his plan for
whisking you from San Francisco to Oak
land in five minutes, in
THE SUNDAY CALL
VOLUME CVIL— NO. 135.
BOURBONS WITH
LOCKED HORNS
GRILL MCCARTHY
Closing Day of Democratic Con=
ference Is Devoted to
Denunciations
Harmony Prevails Only When
Charges of Betrayal Are
Made Against "P. H."
Bell Is Charged by Norton With
"Double Crossing" in In
dorsement Scheme
GEORGE A. VAN SMITH
[Special Dispatch to The Call]
LOS ANGELES, April 13. — Denounc
ing P. H. McCarthy and formally
commending Theodore A. Bell for
fighting him in the recent San Fran
cisco municipal campaign, the democ
racy of California closed its state con
ference today with a hearty acceptance
cf the war glove thrown down by San
Francisco's mayor.
The second and last day of the demo
cratic state conference was devoted to
b continuous fire of accusations, counter
charges and recriminations, and the
conference came to a stormy end, with
both the San Francisco and Los Angeles
confers threatening to support Joseph
Call of Los Angeles in opposition to
Theodore A. Bell for the democratic
nomination for governor.
.McCarthy Is Denounced
Mayor P. H. McCarthy of San Fran
cisco was denounced by Theodore A.
B*»ll. chairman of the state central com
mittee; John E. Raker of Modoc, secre
tary of the conference; W. E. Duncan
Jr. of Butie, Chairman T. E. Gibbon of
Los Angeles .and a half dozen other
party leaders. Fan Francisco's mayor
was described as a betrayer of labor
and the confederate of the Herrin re-
publican machine. His opposition wa«
declared to be one of Bells greatest
political assets.
Bell was accused of double cro.s?uig
the Los Angeles delegation by inducing
it to stand (sponsor for the Norton in
dorsement scheme, which he repudiated
y«-.-d defeated.
Wholesale Knifing Charged
The Sar. Francisco regulars in the
conference were described as a coterie
of "'old push" democrats, secretly
opposed to the good government prin
ciples of Jefftrsonian democracy, who
had crept into a conference where they
had no rightful r*ace. The San Fran
cisco organization, or McNab machine,
was accused by David I. Mahoney with
destroying the democratic party and
knifing Francis J. Heney at the
municipal election in 1909, The San
Francisco organization was accused of
knifing Frar.kMn K. Lane. This accu
sation was brought by Chairman T. E.
Gibbon, who also charged the San
Francisco delegates with acquiesence
In methods that Chris Buckley would
never dared to employ.
Sydney J. Van Wyck Jr. gave him
self, his associates and the San Fran
cisco organization certificates of good
character and accused their detractors
of ignorance and willful defamation
\» of character.
The day fairly bristled with inci
centSv, The fireworks began early
this morning, but the big oratorical
feature was the meeting of the reso
lutions committee, which developed the
denunciations of Mayor McCarthy and
the indorsement of Bell for fighting
him. -
Norton Blames Bell
The sensation of the day was fur
nished by Chairman Albert M. Norton
of the Los Angeles delegation, who
declared that Bell and not himself was
responsible for the indorsement scheme,
and that Bell's alleged shifting of the
reeponsibility would cost him the sup-
rort of every effective party worker
v in Los Angeles. Norton declared that
Bell was not only the originator of
the indorsement scheme, but that he
had framed a partial slate of candi-
dates for indorsement by the con-
ference.
it Norton exhibited a letter from Bell
under date of Februiry 26 declaring
that Bell was of the opinion that he
should place himself in the hands of
the conference and authorizing Norton
to state to the press of Los Angeles
that if the conference should determine
that Bell ought to make the fight he
would make a vigorous campaign. Here
are the portions of Bell's letter which
Norton contends prove that Bell, not
Norton, was responsible for the in
dorsement scheme:
Bell's Letter Quoted
**I have carefully considered the tone
of your recent letters and I am now of
the opinion that I should place myself
In the hands of the Los Angeles confer
ence, abiding by whatever decision the
assembled democrats may reach.
'The primary thing for the democrats
today at this time is to remain stead
fast to the principles that we have
enunciated during the last two years
and to name a ticket that will, beyond
, question, reflect our attitude on public
jtuestions.
"You are authorized by me to state
± to the press of your city that If the Los
Angeles conference shall determine that
Continued ©\u25a0 rujce ", Column 3
The San Francisco Call.
Penalty Provided
For Refusal to
Answer Questions
// shall be the duty of all per
sons when requested by any em
ploye of the census office, to an
swer correctly, to the best of
their knowledge, all questions of
the census schedules; and any
person who shall refuse or will
fully give answers that are false
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and upon conviction thereof shall
be fined not exceeding $100. —
Section 23, United States census
.act.
INDEX OF THE
SAN FRANCISCO CALL'S
NEWS TODAY
TELEPHOXE KEARXY 86
THURSDAY. APRIL 14. 1810
EDITORIAL
Mrs. Baldwin and the notch Hetchy ques
tion. Pagre S
Removing temptation to bribery. Page 8
How Taft may restore confidence. Page 8
Justice for Pullman car company. Page S
POLITICAL
Democratic party at Los Angeles conference
adopts "Jackson Day" platform. Page 2
Bourbon lore feast has stormy close, with
P. EL McCarthy on the grilL Pace 1
CITY
Ferullo's Italian band continues to entertain
patrons of Idora park. Page 0
Lawyer resents slur oa bravery and threatens
prosecutor. Page IS
Public utilities committee will recommend
forcing issue with United Railroads. Page IS
Southern Pacific pensioners entertain Judge
Lorett at luncheon and recall work. Page 4
Troops en route to and returning from Philip
pines meet In Uodololq. Page 7
Proposed, election . of trustee for lumber con
cern menaces plans of bank. Pace 4
Dying sailor was tirufally beaten by Dr. I>unlr>p
Moore, witnesses say at trial. Page 3
Interstate <-om.uerce commission employes
flayed by hcrt^r Ixard chief. Pajpe 4
Divorce granted Otto Hejriemann, whose wife
was overly f»nd cf strong drink. Page »
j Motiif-r' fln.is Mrs.' May Graham dead in bed,
| having <-..m,mitted suicide. . . Page a
j SUBURBAN
Onsasmen divided into districts for enumera
tlon of oast bay cities. Page 11
*\*j>acue" dance at Oakland Orpbcmn fs bit of
\u25a0 «:i Mt.r bill. rage 11
University faculty 1 • members ars advanced ty
regents. l'age i)
Husband w!io tried to kill himself now asks
for divorce. Page 11
Miss Barbara Xachtrieb to be a member of
catet iv production of "Nero." Page 10
Mrs. Ella Turner dies of injuries from barns
In gasoline explosion. Page 10
A!ann-.la county probation officer expounds
tb'-ory to wire prison term. Page 1<»
Japanese merchant held up, beaten and robbed
by thugs ou drawbridge. Pace 10
Women ut junior class of 1911 make prepara
tions fur teui.»r year activities. Pace 10
Reception held by daughters of Mr. and Mrs.
M. J. I^ymauce at their residence. Page 10
COAST
Physicians battle to save life of injured
priest. Page IS
<soveriVT <Ji!!ett refuses to accept democrats'
suggestion fir naming judge. Page 7
Standard oil company refuses to carry oil in
pipes fr<»::i Midway field. Page- 4
liailroaU officials on inspection tour of West
ern Pacific division. Page 7
Girl with pistol pursues high school athlete
and Us mother api«eals to judge. Pace 7
Sailors want money left with alleged murderer
! EASTERN
Colonel Duncan Cooper, who killed former Sen
ator Caruiar-k. pardoned. p B£F 2
Wronged bnsband imitates Jack Cndaby by
taking ri-venge on wife's friend. Page 2
FOREIGN
Another term of Roosevelt rule is cry that
greets former president. I'asr 3
SPORTS
Two I)uu<lred women fencers trill clash at
Stanford university today. Pace 12
Strccker carried off Sunday honors in silver
jubilee shoot. Page 12
Langford-Burns match is practically called off
by Promoter Tom O"Day. Pace 13
Bill Lang may be brought over to take the
pia<* of Duni*. Page 13
Commissioner Tom Corbett starts mutual bet
ting on the big fight. Page 13
Tommy McCarthy begins training for coming
bout with Owen Moran. Page 13
Revised football is given a trial in spring prac
tice at Yale. Page 13
Jeff dor-s road work in morning and then gc*>s
flshin *- • Page 13
Fred Wagm-r to start Shriners' anto races at
Ingleside track. Page 12
Admirers of both California and Stanford claim
track victory. p<|Ke
Sacramento and San Francisco of State league
play here today. Page 13
Krapp wins fourth straight victory by defeating
the Senators. Pagtf J3
First bill designed to kill oral book making
pnHses New York assembly. Page 13
Seventeen splendidly bred horses shippod to
Kentucky from Santa Rosa. Pace 13
l.niverslty of California petitions President
Wuorlor for new track. Page 13
Blnoculnr ontgames Thistle Belle and wins
feature race by a head. Page 12
Five American speedway records arc smashed
on Los Angeles track. P«ee 13
Eonenead bobbles of Oaks give awful contest
to Los Angeles. Page 13
Four ronnders are examined and pronounced
fit for action. Page 12
Sacred Heart defeats Lick nine for sub league
championship. Page 13
MARINE
Wilhelmina sails for Honolulu with more than
100 vacant berths. Page 17
RANCHER MURDERS HIS
WIFE WITH GARDEN HOE
[Special Dispatch to The Call]
SACRAMENTO, "April 13.— Using a
hoe as a weapon. T. Ukani, a Japanese
rancher who resides near Florin, mur
dered his wife tonight in a cabin in
which they lived- The woman's body
was terribly: hacked and chopped. Dep
uty "John Reese of Florin captured the
murderer ' i*\
SAN FRANCISCO, THURSDAY, APRIL 14,
DON'T TRY TO
DODGE UNCLE
SAM'S CENSUS
If You Do Captain Baldwin Will
Have You Haled to
Court
Fashionable Apartments and
Small Hotels Face Raids If
They Don't Behave
With today as the last day for the fill
ing in of the census schedules, the fed
eral census bureau faces two great diffi
culties — the cheap lodging houses and
the fashionable apartment dwellings,,
both of which stand on a common
ground in refusing to give the desired
information. The remedy for both
cases, according to instructions to the
band of district inspectors by Captain
George B. Baldwin, census director at
a meeting held last night, will be an
unsympathetic dose of section 23 of
the census act.
"You are to be as diplomatic as pos
sible," Captain Baldwin instructed his
inspectors, "but if any .person— it is
immaterial what the social position or
wealth of that person may -be — refuses
to give the desired information, you are
to notify headquarters and the case
will be taken up immediately by the
proper federal authorities."
Complaints Are Voiced
The instructions followed * the re
ports of the inspectors and in every in
stance the inspector of a district in
which was situated a fashionable
apartment house voiced a loud and em
phatic complaint against it. It was
the same with the cheap lodging
houses and 10 cent bunk resorts. In
the latter cases the inmates had a
good «xcuse for their reticence. A man
of enforced nomadic tendencies, \u25a0who
sleeps with one wary eye watching for
plain clothes men has a natural diffi
dence in regard to giving his private
history, but why the society maiden, and 1
clubman 1 should adopt the same' view-^
point is more than the census bureau
can understand.
The spectacular feature of the^censtfs'
taking will be April 18 or 19, when a
flying squadron of enumerators will
sally forth after midnight and raid the
bunkhouses and box car brigade. Oth
ers will beat the bushes in the park,
disturbing stray vagrants, and still
others will comb the cellar saloons and
such other, places for the derelicts, who,
however great may be their objection,
will for at least once in their lives, be
forced to live up to their duties as
American citizens. If need be, the
same obstreperous tactics will be pur
sued in the fashionable apartment
houses.
Will Arrest Recalcitrants
"This is a federal law," said Captain
Baldwin, "and when a person is arrest
ed he will be taken to a federal court.
The attitude of the greater portion of
the fashionable apartment houses is an
noying and petty;- but if persisted iri I
have my duty to perform and. l will
swear out warrants for the arrest of
those who persist in interfering -with
the work of the government. At. the
most the task of filling in the census is
a simple one and if civic pride and a
sense of the duties and obligations of
American citizenship are not sufficient
to have the task fulfilled then we will
have to use force. One thing is cer
tain — Uncle Sam is going to get those
names."
Complaints were made also against
some of the firehouses. The police de
partment has been assisting the census
bureau in every possible way,, but some
of the fire department officials have
considered it a part of their civic lib
erty to turn the enumerator away with
insulting language. These officials
will be reported to the chief of the fire
department.
. The rank and file of the citizen body,
apart from the criminal and vagabond
class, the social set and a few firemen,
have shown an eagerness to fill' out
the schedules correctly.
Schedufes Filled In Today
All schedules are to be filled in to
day. Commencing at 8 o'clock tomor
row morning, the enumerators will go
their rounds collecting the schedules,
and the expectations are that within
three days all returns will be in. This
system of having the populace fill in
its own schedules is very much in the
nature of an experiment with the
Washington authorities, the belief be
ing that the American people are well
enough educated by this time to an
swer the questions for themselves.
In one of the cheap lodging houses
of the city where a particularly rough
element has its abode the hotel-pro
prietor, a man of husky proportions,
solved the problem by the following
bulletin which he posted in a conspicu
ous place: .
"You are required by law to answer
these questions — and we will see that
you do."
The moment a lodger entered, the
proprietor pointed to the~ bulletin 'arid
thrust out his . jaw • in^ a pugnacious
way. The questions were. answered: .
:v: v The distinguishing mark of -the
enumerator . is , a badge 7of : red,***whlt<B
and blue, surmounted by the American
shield and' eagle. ; During /census tak^"
ing'time it commands ingress to all
homes. ,^ • ;• ...... . .'.-\. -"irj, -- --\u25a0•j-.iy^;.
EXPLORERS BRAND
COOK'S TALE FAKE
Mt. McKinley Expedition Found
Trail Described in Doctor's
Book Impassable j
FAIRBANKS, Alaska,. April 13. — The
Fairbanks Mount McKinley expedition
that reached the summit of the peak
started to follow the route alleged to
have been taken by Dr. Frederick A.
Cook, and was obliged to abandon it
as impassable. Thomas Lloyd, leader
of the expedition, says no traces of
Cook's ca raps were found, and he de
clares the doctbx J s story of the four
day ascent to bo absurd.
Lloyd placed his crude notes of the
journey in the hands of a committee
of the Order, of Pioneers of Alaska,
who will arrange for publication of
the story. The party took photographs
of the summit and of points along the
trail. They also established the trail
so well that it can be followedby other
parties next summer. Onone stretch of
trail eight miles long the explorers
worked two weeks. On one of the
peaks a flagstaff 14 feet tall was
erected, firmly buttressed by rocks.
The work done by the Fairbanks men
can be easily verified.
20,500 FEET HIGH
An aneroid .measurement taken by
the men places the height of the
mountain at 20,500 feet.
Ten men were in the party that left
Fairbanks with dog teams in Decem
ber. \u25a0 \u25a0--.-\u25a0\u25a0
The expedition on reaching the base
of the mountain went into camp, .waited
for better weather and planned the
ascent. All were familiar with the
great mountain and its habits. None
of the men had scientific education and
they took no special apparatus, except
photographic cameras and a barometer.
They were equipped as for prospecting
and traveled as light as possible and
with the food supply of the Alaska
miner.
SUMMITS UNLIKE PICTURES
, The party did not set out to disprove
Doctor Cook's story but to climb, the
mountain. They found the summits ut
terly, unlike those pictured in the doc
tor's book. • ; :
The explorers discovered a magnifi
cent unnamed peak 16,000 feet high and
also a new pass through the mountain
range, which shortens the distance to
the. coast 75 miles. The pass is flanked
by -majestic .perpendicular -walls. \u25a0-..
, The Pioneers', committee took steps
to .verify Lloyd's story before.^tajmping
it-^a_s genuin/?; and. even. now'Vre^'dis
i)\f fined,"t<s surrender his,, notes; though
satisfied that they r amply prove ,;the
\u25a0 story,^ The return of Lloyd from 'the
•Miountain in nine 4ay<s-;'jvaa dueto the
I Ttvo of Miss Wilsoifs girl friends who throw additional Ugh
I upon the suspicion that young Redfern committed the crime. ' " |
excellence of the trail made by the
party.
Guide Doubts Ascent
HAMILTON, Mont., April 13. — Ed
ward Barrill, the guide who accom
panied Dr. Frederick A. Cook on his
Mount McKinley trip and made an af
fidavit during the polar controversy
that the doctor never reached the top
of the Alaskan peak, declares that in
his opinion the Fairbanks party, head
ed by Thomas Lloyd, never scaled the
summit. Barrill asserts that it is im
possible to climb the mountain at the
time- of year the Fairbanks party
claims to have done so, owing to the
condition of the snow and ' ice. He
also declares that it is impossible \to
reach the summit over any other route
than the one started upon by himself
and Doctor Cook.
SYNAGOGUE IS SUED
FOR PROJECTING EAVES
Woman Declares That They
Damage Her Property
OAKLAND, AprH'l3.— Just how much
damage is done to adjoining property
by> projecting eaves was the subject
of expert testimony by /real estate
dealers today, in Judge Ogden's court
during ' the trial of the damage suit
brought by ftay Towns against the
Congregation Beth Jacob. .The. plain
tiff alleges that \u25a0/ the congregation^
synagogue projects 23% inches over
her property in ' - Castro street near
Ninth, and that she has been damaged
thereby. Witnesses ;testifled : that Mhe
chief element of : damage was due , to
deprivation of sunlight by projecting
eaves. ' ' \u25a0"-\u25a0\u25a0:'.:-_ V: \u25a0' \u25a0-....-.• ; ; '-
OPPOSE ' BLASTING PERMIT— A resolution
protesting : against : the Rrantinit of a permit
| for blasting at Twenty -sixth -and Douglass
: streets was passed at a Joint meeting of the
Twenty-eighth and Diamond Street lmprore
- ment club, - the \u25a0 Xoe Valley association. West
of Castro club \u25a0 and the Home Defense league,
,>:nrfd-at . Willopl \u25a0 hall, ,4601 - Twenty- fourth
street.' last night.; The request . for. a permit
Is now pending-before^tne-.Bre committee'. of
-the board of suprrisors and the resolution was
directed, to that body. i,,, - .
ROTARY CLUB TO MEET— Oakland. April 13
A luncheon will be siren by; the Oakland to
" tary'club Thursday, darins; which C C. Cralr
... -Wilbur Walker and W.-E. Gibson will .sneak
Wa;the;thetue "Ifce .Work; Before -Ub. 1 ' .:
\u25a0--'...'."'.-\u25a0 \u25a0,-•-\u25a0 \u25a0 _.-.\u25a0'\u25a0\u25a0•-' \u25a0 — * *-. \u25a0 '..\u25a0-\u25a0-«\u25a0-'
Acid Fiend Vanishes
Eludes His Pursuers
Miss Ruth (ranees Wilson
"OFF WITH WHISKERS,"
CRY OF HEALTH BOARD
0. W. Erlewine Bows to Edict,
Parts With Mustache
[Special Dispatch to The Calf]
SACRAMENTO. April 13.— Given the
tip that the state board of health is
about to issue an edict that all male
school teachers must cut off their
mustache and whiskers. City Superin
tendent of Schools O. W. Erlewine has
taken the initiative by having his up
per lip adornment- removed.
The. complaint the health officers
have against the mustaches of the men
teachers is that they are apt to spread
disease. \u25a0
Erlewine has worn a mustache for
15 years. - \u25a0 v
"POUND LOAF" BILL
POSTPONED FOUR WEEKS
Master Bakers Declare Price
Would Become 6 Cents
Several j master \u25a0 bakers appeared be
fore the hospital and health committee
of the board; of supervisors yesterday
to protest against the enactment of the
bill Introduced . by v Walsh requiring :16
ounces to the loaf of bread. George P.
Adams, W. J. Claus, Charles J. Loesch
and M. ;Willey told the committee ! that
at .. present grain and other* prices the
trade would - have to charge 6 £ents for
such :a = loaf iand'the* enforcement of
such an ordinance .would result simply
in sowing ,the town with -pennies -and
causing general i discomfort. The com
mittee put the bill over for four weeks'.
ASK FOR MORE LIGHT / / .:
A number!, of -citizens and property
owners of Valencia street, petitioned
the board, of : supervisors yesterday for
additional : electric lighting' for that
thoroughfare.'^
REALTY.* DEALER SLAYS WIFE-rßarbertOD.
0.. April la.-T^Hrnry Frafll. 35 \u25a0 years ' old. • a
; *. real, estate -dealer, -shot' and killed*, bis wife,
'\u25a0?\u25a0, Minnie, 25* years 'old,,. and attempted- suicide
i- f oday because ' she refused to lire ' with him- «
A
cloudy: maximum
temper atutpi 64; minimum, 50.
FOR TODAY— Fair; some
~^ "filial warmer; light north wind.
S. P. OBJECTS TO
TAX IN KENTUCKY
$19,000,000 Assessment May
Cause Railroad to Remove
From the Shed
[Special Diipalch to The Call]
LOUISVILLE. Ky., April 13.— The
Southern' Pacific holdings company told
the state of Kentucky to its face today
that the cost of living was too high in
the commonwealth, and unless it was
reduced substantially the big corpora
tion would .move out. .
The Southern Pacific company is
Kentucky's wealthiest inhabitant, being
worth $200,000,000, and officially
resides at Beechmont, just outside the
Louisville city limits, in a little one
room shed.
•
The unusual modesty is due to a de
sire to avoid as much as possible con
tact with the tax collector. But the
dreaded contact has come, regardless at
precautions, and resulted in the sharp
est kind of a clash.
*:The' board of . assessors of Kentucky
has fixed an assessment of $19,000,000
oh 'the Southern "Pacific company's
franchise,' while its representatives de
clare that $7,000,000 .would be a liberal
valuation.
Judge Alex P. Humphrey, counsel for
the* Southern Pacific holding company,
told the board of assessors today that
before his clients would submit to the
assessment they. would withdraw from
Kentucky and reincorporate in Maine,
Utah or some other state. He said that
the company could obtain a satisfactory
charter in. either Maine or Utah at an
expense of $50 to $250. but that It
would be necessary to call in every
share of stock to make the change, and
this would entail a cost of $100,000.
But, notwithstanding the cost and
trouble of a change and the fact that
the Southern Pacific would like to re
main a Kentucky corporation, Judge
Humphrey told the board that it would
move, its official home unless the fran
chise assessment was made more rea
sonable.
AMERICAN EMBASSY
MOVES INTO NEW HOME
Enters Fashionable Quarters- at
German Capital
" BERLIN, April 13.— Ambassador Hill
has found a new home for the - Amer
ican embassy at 16 Ranch str&sse, in
the .fashionable Thiergarten section, it
is a" three story, residence and will af
ford; room under one -roof for the of
fices of the embassy, the private.quar
tersof the ambassador and for the em
bassy records. •
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
SLEUTHS ON
REDFERN'S
TRAIL
State Wide Search Made for
Young Man Suspected of j
Marring Girl's Beauty
CLEW TO YOUTH'S FAMILY
FURNISHED IN LETTER
Parents Believed to Be Living in
Northern California and to
Be Moderately Wealthy
FORMER FRIEND THINKS BOY
MENTALLY UNBALANCED
Description of Alleged
Assailant of Young Girl
DESCRIPTION" OF VAX CAMP
REDFERN'. WANTED BY PO
LICE AS ALLEGED ASSAILANT
OF RUTH FRANCES WILSON*
Agf, 20* or 2t yenrx: heicht, 5
fret S Inches: weight, 150
pounds; dark red hair, freckled
face, pas: nose, licht blue even,
Kold filled tcetb. Htockily built,
wore **loud** clothe*.
Surgeons report outcome of Mlmm
Wilson's Injuries still In doubt.
Girl may lo»p >isht of left rye.
Right side of facr will always
hear slKns of attack.
Police believe Redfern is son of
people of moderate means, and
that he has a sitter employed
as teueber or tclesraph oper
ator In Nevitdn county.
Parents believed to be Hvldk In
northern part of state, hut
Redfern* according; to Alameda
hlsh school clrl*. represented
himself as the. son' of a Chi
cago tailor.
Edward A. Render. 5231 O'Farretl
street, save Itcdfcrn a home
while he vv a h attending Lowell
high school. Dender believe*
Redfem Yvaa insane.
Mm. Harry Epstein saw Redfern
watchlnc: near Wilson house
Wednesday of last week.
Letter found in lot where .Mi*a
Wilson's assailant stood be
lieved to have belonged' to
Redfern.
GROPING through the maze of
fanciful stories with which he
had surrounded his past, the
police yesterday secured the first tan
gible clew to the identity of Van
Camp Redfern, the love crazed youth
accused of having fiendishly marred
the beauty and eyesight of Ruth Fran
ces Wilson Tuesd.ay afternoon by
throwing acid in her face. That the
young man who vowed vengeance be
cause his affection was unrequited was
not the son of a wealthy eastern fam
ily, as he had represented himself, but
came from parents of moderate means
in the northern part oc the state, was
the conviction of the detectives last
night.
Youth's Capture Expected
The discovery was looked upon as
most important, taken in connection
with other evidence brought to light
yesterday, and it was confidently as
serted would lead to his apprehension
within a very short time.
Although still suffering greatly
from nervousness, Ruth Wilson dis
cussed the matter with her father and
mother at the Mount Zion hospital
yesterday, and reiterated her convic
tion that Redfern was the person con
cealed behind the fence who squirted
acid in her face. The detectives take
the same view and believe that if they
succeed in capturing the young man
they will have no difficulty in proving
that he perpetrated the outrage.
The contents of a letter found at the
scene of the crime*, which had evidently
been dropped fronv the pocket of some
person who was behind the fence at
Sutter and Octavla- streets, and the
story of Edward A. Bender, at whose
home, 5231 O'Farrell street, Redfern
lived for two months, convinced the
police yesterday that the young man's
romantic tales of wealthy parents were
Youth Asks Assistance
Bender recounted to the police how
Redfern, whom he described accurately,
came to his home in October of 1908
and asked for assistance, being In the
city from the northern part of the state
without fund 3or friends. He was taken
in, given a spare room, and during the
daytime attended the Lowell high
school, while in the evenings he wat
ered the lawns and made himself useful
about the house. He was about IS
years old, but took himself very »e
riously and often told Bender of his
plans to educate himself sufficiently to
secure admission to Stanford univer
sity, after which he intended to study
medicine.
_^*The, boy seemed to be very ambi
tious and' l was willing to give him a