San Antonio light and gazette. [volume], December 08, 1909, Image 1

About San Antonio light and gazette. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1909-1911

Image provided by: University of North Texas; Denton, TX

                
Sale of Waters-Pierce Oil Co. Is Not Mr. Pierce the "Ultimate Consumer'?
■nutiso ku mo ana
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frwiiiiwici. mitn
K.UMB », n». n*
ZELAYA IS IN
A BAD WAY
DDES AUSTIN
ASYLUM NEED
INE PROBE?
Residents In Vicinity of Hyde
Park Outspoken Regarding
the Alleged Abuses.
ASK POINTED QUESTION
Are Human Bones Carried Off
By Dogs and Inmates Worked
Harder Than Criminals?
SANITARY CONDITIONS BAD
Former Asylum Employe Talks
About Conditions There and
Makes Startling Statements.
Anitin. Tex., Bee. B.—“lnvestigate
the State Insane asylum.”
Tlli,, is the cry now being raised in
Hyde Park, a suburb lying close to the
extensive grounds of the state institu
tion, for the care of mental defectives.
Stories of unsanitary conditions in the
asylum, abuse of its inmates and im
proper care of its dead are being told
many of which cannot be hastily con
armed or denied.
That improper sanitation at the
asylum recently eansed an epidemic of
•typhoid fever, which put sixteen in
mates in the hospital, is confirmed bv
So|>printendebt John Preston himself.
Dr Preston adds that steps are now
being taken "to improve matters at the
asylum by repairing water pipes, drain
ing an ancient pond that spread typhoid
and improving the sewerage system.
He is got. however, to be quoted as say
ing that the asylum will be in perfect
condition when the work is finished.
. Beside the sanitary question, persons
living near the asylum have raised the 1
following questions:
Are the lunatics worked in inclement
’ weather like convicts and treated like
criminals by the attendants?
Are the bones carried out of the
asylum burying ground by dogs those
of human beings?
A former employe of the asylum is
authority for the statement that the
burial ground is in a terrible condition,
and believes that, in fact, the bones of
lunatics buried there have been disturb
ed by prowling animals.
A former inmate of the asylum, at
one time a paranoiac, but ordinarily a
man of education and refinement, is now
writing a book which promises to make
a sensation. It treats of the life led by
inmates of the asylum.
According to his statements harsh
treatment Is used to subdue the inmates
when noisy and they are abused. It has
long been a tradition in Hyde Park
that a male “trusty” in the institution,
qualified for the position by superior
strength, is set upon the other inmates
by attendants and frequently maims
them in his efforts to “make them be
have. ’ ’
The efforts of the Hyde Park people
to learn something of the actual con
ditions at the asylum have not been
confined to talk, or even attempts to
have local newspapers investigate. Fre
quent calls have been made at the
.asylum by interested parties with a
view to calling the attention of author
ities there to the abuses of the system.
Dr.'Preston recently assured one of
these callers that he was making every
effort to properly conduct the work of
'the asylum, and the superintendent is
not held blamable by those interested
in ascertaining the facts. Numerous
deaths are unreported in the press, and
escapes, accidents and other like events
do not become known unless the local
police are called into action.
All deaths at the asylum are event
nallv reported to the county clerk. A
notable fact in this connection is that
in more than half the reports the cause
of death is given simply as “mitral in
sufficiency.” The dead are supposably
buried by the state contractor, although
residents of the asylum neighborhood
declare that bodies are frequently car
ried to the burial ground in boxes by
attendants and travesty of a funeral
hurried through as speedily as possi
ble. This is cited as a reason for the
turning up of human bones at but little
way below the surface.
Pupil’s Gold Medal—The school board
reports that a gold medal belonging
to one of rhe publie school children has
been found. On one side is engraved, E.
Johnson “For Faithfulness.” and on
the Other side. “Hertzberg Medal.”
The medal is at the office of the Trac
tion company.
SAN ANTONIO LIGHT
Forces Beaten in Last Fight
Near Rama, Estrada Cap
turing 200 Prisoners.
ONLY QUESTION OF TIM
Estrada's Forces Will Over
come Zelaya, Who Wants
to Go to Belgium.
AmcUkd Fnu
Port Limon. Grata Rica, Dee. lI.—A
wireless meeaage received here report*
aa engagement above Rama between
the foreea of Genera) Estrada and
Zelaya,’a army under Vasquez, in which
the latter waa beaten, leaving more
than 100 dead and wounded on the field.
Eatrada ia raid to have capturod 200
prisoner* and many eannon and much
ammunition.
The launch Eagle, which left here
Sunday with 35 volunteer* for the Ea
trada army, arrived at Bluefield*. It
i* aaid that clearance having been re
fused the launch, it picked up it* an
chor and left port without it. A pas
senger state* that Zelaya's troops en
tered the Aragon farm, where the Costa
Riean flag was flying, ill treated the
people and committed many outrages.
About 200 bodies floated down the
river after the battle of San Juan del
Norte. It is officially announced that
Chamorro lost in the battle at San Juan
21 men killed and 32 wounded. Toledo
has had to withdraw his forces to a
safe point some distance from the town
on account of the heavy fire kept up
by Chamorro's ship*.
General Castillo Chamorro, who was
killed in the recent battle, is a brother
of the leading general, Emilio Cha
morro, who is now blockading San Juan
del Norte.
The government party in Nicaragua
from latest advices appears to be in
a bad way with Toledo bottled at
Greytown, Vasquez, beaten by Femes
Dias above Rama and the weather has
completely stopped him from making
any further march. It is confidently
expected that as soon as Genera) Cha
morro receives the shipments of arm*
looked for daily, the revolutionists will
take only a short time to overcome the
government forces.
It is reported that Zelaya telegraphed
the Mexican minister in San Juan his
desire to resign and take up his resi
dence in Belgium. It is also stated that
<*ders have been sent to Toledo and
Vasquez by Zelaya to suspend opera
tions until further advices.
FEAR BESIEGING
OF BLUEFIELDS
Associated Press.
Bbiefields, Dec. B.—Alarming reports
that the Zelayan army was attempting
to skirt Rama, to avoid a decisive bat
tle there and is comiug to Bluefields to
besiege the city, caused the revolution
ists to send strong reinforcements here.
Developments indicate America is pre
paring to blockade all Nicaraguan
ports. Skirmishing continues near
Rama, over one hundred being killed al
ready.
REPORTS OF VICTORY
ARE NOW CONFIRMED
Associated Press.
Panama, Dec. 8. —General Vasquez
was court martialed and sentenced to
death by Zelaya for his defeat by the
insurgents at Rama. Today’s advices
confirm yesterday’s report of sweeping
insurgent victory.
CARDENAS WITH
TROOPS HEADED
FOK MANAGOA
Associated Pres*.
New Orleans, Dec. B.—Former Presi
dent Cardenas of Nicaragua, who was
overthrown by Zelaya in 1891, has taken
the field against his old enemy and is
heading an expedition from Costa Rica
into Nicaragua, according to advices re
ceived here by sympathizers of the rev
olutionists in the latter country. It is
said Cardenas is at the head of about
500 well armed men and Managua is
the objective point of the expedition.
Institute Meetings Grow—Superin
tendent Chas. J. Lukin reports that
much interest is being demonstrated in
the institute meeting for the teachers
of the public schools, which are being
held every evening for the different
grades in the schools. Mr. Lukin says
there is much earnest work on the part
of the teachers, and the discussions are
entered into with enthusiasm.
16 PAGES
FREAK FIRES
DUE TD COLD
CAUSE RUNS
So Much Good Weathei That
the People of San Antonio
Forget Use of Stoves.
DEPARTMENT IS KEPT BUSY
Rags and Papers Stuffed In
Stove Pipes Is One Cause
of the Blazes.
L. J. HARTS HOME BURNS
Most Expensive Fire Occurs on
Laurel Heights—Others Re
port Smaller Losses.
Responding to half a doran
alarm* of fire within the last twen
ty four hour* is the record of the
San Antonio fire department The
advent of the cold weather, reeult
ing in the starting of many fires in
hearing stores, is responsible for
the majority of runs by the fire
fighters. The fire loss, however, is
comparatively small in most of the
fires. With the exception of the
fire which resulted in approximate
ly a damage of $2500. the others
were trivial.
The fire which threatened the resi
dence of L. J. Hart, 120 Craig place,
was discovered shortly after 9 o'clock
, last night and had gained considerable
' headway. Mr. Hart and family had re
i tired for the evening, but escaped in
| plenty of time. The fire was confined
to the dining room and kitchen, and Mr.
Hart was loud in his praise of the good
work on the part of the men of Fire
Chief Wright in checking the flames in
such quick order.
The home of Mr. Hart Is a two and
a half story stucco building, valued at
$BOOO. With the contents the total
property imperiled by the fire ia esti
mated at $15,000. The damage by fire
and smoke is fully covered by insur
ance. The fire is believed to have orig
inated in a pantry, situated between the
kitchen and the dining room, although :
it is not known exactly from what the |
flames did originate. The greatest dam- j
age was done by smoke, which discol-1
orod the walls and the furniture of
the dining room. The library was also
considerably damaged by smoke.
Much excitement was caused among
the hundreds of pedestrians along Hous
ton street, at 8:20 o’clock this morn
ing, when the fire department was call
ed by an alarm sent in from the Mave
rick hotel barber shop, conducted by
E. W. Day. Thousands of persons con
gregated. believing that one of the tall
er buildings was on fire. The run of
the department to the place was use
less.
The incident which culminated in
calling out the department was a rather
peculiar affair. Mr. Day, proprietor
of the barbership, entered the base
ment directly beneath his shop for the
purpose of blowing out the drip-pipe
of the gas meter. In doing so Mr. Day
unwisely placed a lighted candle too
close to the meter, and when the gas was
turned on the natural thing happened—
an explosion. The flames excited Mr.
Day and he quickly turned in an alarm
of fire. Before the department reached
the scene a Traction company official,
by using a number .of wet sacks, ex
tinguished the blaze.
It was while the fire department was
on Houston street that another alarm
called them to 315 West Evergreen
street, where a fire had broken out in
the dwelling of J. C. Meredith, result
ing in damage estimated at $5O, cov
ered by insurance. This, too, is consid
ered by the fire chief a freak fire, there
being many since the cold wave hit
the city. . .
A hot fire had been started in the
heater down stairs and it was not long
before the fierce tongues of flames were
discovered leaping from the walls and
the ceiling of the second story.
In starting the fire the occupants had
on Page Six.)
MMore Shopping
Before.*
Christmas
WmV oh WhV
PONT THEV
BSHOP how?
The V wouuo
1 «t the ptek
YOFEVERY
j! THING ANO
r IT WOULD
BE SO MUCH
= EASIER FOR
US!
XLEDK*
AND GAZHTTE
•AN ANTONIO. TEXAS. WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 8. IW».
UNIVERSITY BOY? TO BE
EXAMINED FOB HOOKWORM
OTHER CITIES
JOIN CIVIC
LEAGUE PLAN
Corpus Christi Launches a
Movement Similar to That
In San Antonio.
ASK COPPINI TO LAY PLAN
Sculptor Goes to City on the
Gulf to Address a Mass
Meeting of Its Citizens.
A STATE-WIDE MOVEMENT
Affiliation of Civic Improve
ment Bodies Would Secure
the Desired Legislation,
That San Antonio's aim towards
city beautifying, placed formally
under way by the organization of a
Civic Improvement League, will re
sult in a statewide movement for
the beautifying of Texas citie* and
towns, ia a belief that is gaining
strength. That an affiliation of
these organizations could accom
plish much in inducing desired leg
islation ia a certainty.
The second city in the state to
adopt the San Antonio idea is Cor
pus Christi, which plana the forma
tion of a Civic Improvement
League Stnflar to the ON IM Ul*
city.
A* the first step in this direction
Pnmpeo Coppini, the originator of the
San Antonio movement, ha* been in
vited to deliver an address to the af
filiated clubs of Corpus Christi tomor
row afternoon and to address on Fri
day night a mass meeting of the citi
zens.
Mr. Coppini will speak tomorrow
afternoon at 4 o’clock under the
auspices of the Cosmos club, which is
a leader in the civic improvement move.
This elub has prepared the launching
of the plan as a surprise for its fel
lows.
A meeting of all of the leading clubs
of the gulf city is to be held tomorrow.
Each gives a portion of the afternoon
’ program. The part of the Cosmos club
will be introduce Mr. Coppini for a lec
ture on Italian art, in the course of
which he will diverge into the civic
improvement idea. Club officers will
then launch the idea of the formation
of a league.
Mr. Coppini will remain in Corpus
Christi during the greater part of the
remainder of the week. Friday night he
will address a citizens’ mass meeting
at which he will tell of the aims and
work of the San Antonio Civic Im
provement League and outline the
method by which a similar movement
can be made a success by the people of
Corpus Christi.
The president and secretary of the
San Antonio league are receiving com
munications from other Texas cities
from persons deeply interested, evinc
ing the commendation the movement is |
exciting outside of this city. That oth
er cities will follow the example of San '
Antonio and Corpus Christi is assured. I
EXCAVATION BEGUN
FOR BANK BUILDING
Sutherland Springs, Tex.. Dee. B.—
Excavation was begun this morning for
the foundation of the First State bank
building. The building is to be of con
crete construction and will occupy a
lot at the corner of Lee avenue and
Second street. The bank is at present
housed in a small frame building, but
will have a home in keeping with the
progress of the town when the new
building is completed.
DRIVE TWELVE KEGS
OF BEER TO CITY HALL
Because the police could not find the
owner of a farm wagon loaded with
twelve kegs of beer, which had been
left standing on West Commerce street
for about six hours, the wagon and the
beer was driven to the city hall Tues
dav afternoon .by Patrolman Cole. The
outfit will be held there until claimed
bv the owner.
SEARCH IS MADE
FOR BODIES OF MEN
Hamburg, Dee. 8. —The search for
bodies of workmen killed when two gas
tanks on “Kleins Grasbrok” exploded
yesterday was continued today. Nine
teen lives are known to have been Jost
ami fourteen other workmen are miss
ing.
Male Students at Texas “U”
Are to Undergo Physical
Examination Soon,
WILL BEGIN ON JANUARY 1
Examining Physician Will Take
Up the Duties Then—Stu
dents on Edge of Revolt.
•praial Dupatek
Austin. Tex., Dec. 8. —I* the deadly
hookworm, to tight whose insidious in
fluence in the south John D. Koekefrl
ler gave tLOOO.OuO, responsible for the
rah-rah habit, and the varsity boys'
|>enchant for loud sox, freak clothes and
cigarette* f
This momentous question is to bo
•olved when the students of the Uni
venity of Texas are examined for hook
worm*, according to the plan of State
Health Officer W. M. Brumby. Th"
examination will take place shortly *f
te- January 1. This is the date on
which the newly appointed examining
physician at the university is to begin
work. While not officially confirmed
it ia understood that the students are In
be examined for the hookworm, as well
as malaria, tuberculosis and other dis
eases.
The experiment is 1-eing kept a se
cret here, probably because the stu
dents are on the edge of revolt against
the examinations proposed for them.
Whether or not. ;>ellngra will be looked
for has not been determined.
In favnr of the examination for hook
worms, it is argued that no better facili
ties could be afforded for an investiga
tion of this character than in an institu
tion attended by 2000 students from all
sections of' the state, and representing
nil degrees of physical development.
It is understood the female students
are not to be examined. *
SMOKE TOUGHS OUT
nt turn soimie
Special Dispatch.
New York. Dec. 8. —Finding it cheap
er to pay admission to the warm galler
ies at Madison Square garden nnd stay
there during the entire six days of the
bicycle race a large number of toughs
and loafers had congregated there dur
ing the past two days. Today the po
lice made an effort to put them out and
several hot fights were precipitated and
arrests were made.
The police used their billies, but l
were unable to rout all the men until
fires were built under the galleries and
the loafers were smoked out.
PARTY OF TAYLORITES
TO SEE WEDDING
A large party of friends and relatives
of Roy H. Bland of Taylor, are in the
city to be present at his wedding to
night to Miss Leah Pumphrey, .laugh
ter of Col. R. B. Pumphrey of this
city.
The wedding will take place in Travis
Park Methodist church at 8 o'clock.
Rev/ Burgin officiating. After the
wedding the bride and groom will leave
for Mexico City at 9 o’clock for a three
weeks’ honeymoon. On their return
thev will he at home in Taylor.
In the party that is here lor the
wedding, which is registered at the
Monger hotel, are: Howard Bland. How
ard Bland, Jr.. Miss Zella Bland, il.
Yakey, A. A. Zizima and wife, D. Bur
nell and wife and D. Frame. The party
will return to Taylor tomorrow.
SHERIFF RICH ARRIVES
WITH SARTIN’S BODY
Sherman, Tex., Dec. B.—Sheriff Sam
Rich arrived here this morning from
Sacramento, Cal., with the body of Gus
Sartin, who committed suicide in the
Sacramento jail, after confessing to the
murder of Mrs. Annie Winkleman of
Fayetteville, Ark. Sartin’s father. Tom
Sartin, took charge of the body.
It was learned today that Sartin be
fore he was arrested in California, be
queathet to Laura Denton, his sweet
heart, the .42000 he had deposited in a
Sacramento bank. The woman arrived
today. Rich will demand the reward
for the capture of Sartin.
Local Weather
For San Antonio and vicinity,
tonight and Thursday:
F- Partly cloudy weather; warm
er. Thursday.
The maximum temperature
A for the 24 hours ending at S
o’clock this morning was 48 de
grees and the minimum was 32
grees.
I Comparative temperatures for
this year and last:
4 a. m 43 34
RK a. m 12 33
R a. m 40 US
10 a. rn 14 42
12 noon 48 41
1 p. m 49 47
16 PAGES
MARTIAL LAW
IS DECLARED
IN HONDURAS
Bonilla's Efforts Scare Davila
and the Latter Proclaims
Troop Rule In Republic.
TO CHECK THE REVOLUTION
People In Wild State of Excite
ment and Move Will Only
Add Fuel to the Flames.
Puerto Correz,, Dec, B.—Martial law
has been -proclaimed throughout Niea
tagua and great excitement prevails
PRESIDENT MIGUEL R. DAVILA OF
HONDURAS.
among the people. As yet everyone is
nt a loss to understand the tqßMing of
the move but it Is evMerfHy ’in’ an ef
fort of President Davila to head off
any outward show of revolution under
the leadership of Bonilla in’an effort
to regain the presidency for the latter.
The revolution party has shown
strength since the trouble in Nicara
gua and it is’ said that the declaration
Manuel Bonilla, former president of
Honduras, who is said to be organizing
a revolution in that Central American
republic.
of martial law will only add fue] to
the flames and eventually bring on a
revolution in this republic. It is said
that Bonilla is already in a position to
march into Honduras at the head of a
goodly army.
H. P. DROUGHT HEADS SAN
ANTONIO CLUB THIS YEAR
At the annual election of officers of
the San Antonio club, held last night
in the clnb rooms, H. P. Drought was
chosen president for 1910. Other offi
cers elected were:
W. C. Rigsby, vice president: E. H.
Coombs, treasurer, and R. M. Silsbee,
secretary. These men will be formally
installed the first week of the new year.
New Motions Filed—New motions
filed in district court are as follows:
Union Trust Co. vs. J. G. Burney et al
defendants' motion to require plain
tiff’s attorneys to show by what au
thority they prosecute this suit. M. E.
Maney vs. F. M. Pryor et al., defend
ant 's motion for rule for costs.
GOVERNMENT REPORT SHOWS MORE
THAN 2,000,000 LESS BALES GINNED
Associated Press.
Washington Dee. B.—There were 8.878.277 running bales of cotton ginned
from the growth of 1909 to December I. as compared with 11,008,681 for 1908,
according to the bulletin of the census bureau issued today.
These figures count round as half bales and exclude linters. 1 hey stand
against 8.343,396 for 190* and 10.027.868 for 1906. The proportion of the last
three crops ginned to December 1 is 81.1 per cent for 1908, 75.5 per cent for
1907 and 77.2 for 190 U.»
KIKI ICE OMI
TMTII LIKE MORr*.
At feuntalna. Orders fer paneuet*. ra
rant**—, • Haire end family
dreaiiiery Dairy Co. PhoneiB7l
PRICE: PIVE CENTS
EACH BLASI
OF WHISTLE
COSTS $2OOO
Court of Civil Appeals Fixes
the Amount of Damage En
gine Whistle Can Do.
THREE TIMES COSTS $6OOO
Railroad Must Pay Amount
to the Man Whose Hear
ing Was Injured.
BIG JUDGMENTS OF YEAR
Four Cases Total Damages ot
$38,000 Against Railroads.
Heavy Day In High Court,
Judgments against local railroad*
for damages as the result of per
sonal injury actions totaling the
sum of $38,000 were today affirmed
in the Fourth court of civil appeal*
The four cases in which the judg
ments were affirmed are:. Vicento
Miller versus the I. & G. N. rail
road for $15,000; W. M. Owens ver
sus I. &. G. N. railroad for $5000;
John Callahan versus G. H. & 8.
A. Ry. Co. for $12,000; J. T. Grant
versus G. H. & S. A. Ry. Co. for
$6OOO.
Three of the four case* are from
Bexar county, all of the injuries having
taken place in and around San Antonio.
The aggregate judgment is the largest
rendered in a San Antonio court at one
time this year.
An unusual statement of facta ia pre
sented in the case of Grant versus G. H.
& 8. A. By. Co., one of the four cases
in point. The appellee. J. F. Grant, was
employed ns a hostler in the varas of
the railroad in the city of El Paso. It
was his claim that a fellow-workman,
seeking -to play a joke on him, gave
three blasts of the whittle on an engine
at a time when appellee's head was bnt
a few inches from the whistle valve.
Those three blasts of the whistle cost
the G. H. & S. A. railroad just $6OOO,
»r at the rate of $2OOO per blast, for it
was shown that appellee's hearing in
his right ear had been totally destroyed
jnd that in his left ear greatly im
paired.
Proceedings of Court.
Full proceedings this morning in Um
court of appeals are as follows:
Opinions: G. H. A 8. A. Ry. Co. v*
John Callahan. Bexar county, affirmed}
James L. Porter vs. El Paso & 8. W.
Ry. Co.. El Paso county, affirmed; Tex
as & Pacific Ry. Co. vs. L. W. Hof
fecker, El Paso county, reversed and
remanded; I. A G. N. il. R. Co. vs. W.
M. Owens. Bexar county, affirmed; I. 6
G. N. R. R. Co. vs. Vicente Miller, by
next friend, Mrs T. F. Adams. Bexar
county, affirmed; G. H. A 8. A. Ry. Co.
vs. J. T. Grant, El Paso county, af
firmed; Charlotte Walker et al. vs.
Lucy T. Thornton et al., Bexar county,
iffirmed. • ,
' Motions submitted: David L. Gal
i lup vs. County of Liberty, to correct
I finding of fact; St. Mary’s Orphan
: Asylum et al. vs. Branch T. Master*
। son. for additional conclusions of fact.
Motions overruled: Joe Adams vs.
I. & G. N. R. R. Co., for rehearing;
' Western Union Tel. Co. vs. W. L. Me*
I Donald, for rehearing; T. & N. O. Ry.
Co. vs. W. C. Plummer, for rehearing;
John O’Neill vs. Sun Company, for re
hearing: Kettler Brass Mfg. Co. va.
John O'Neill, for additional findings
of fact; W. D. Myers vs. L. B, Moody,
for rehearing; G. H. A S. A. Ry. Co. vs.
R. E. Ward, to postpone submission.
Motions sustained: Nat Wetzell vs.
M. W. Satterwhite, to have original
statement of facts returned to district
court: W. H. Snow vs. D. L. Gallup, for
rehearing; Chas. Schauer vs. Otto
Schauer and Irene Schauer, to dismiss
appeal.
No new cases were submitted today.
Next Wednesday. December 15, will bs
submission day.
Improving Writing In Schools—Fol
lowing the lectures of Miss Rose Flynn
of the Palmer system of writing. Super
intendent Chas. J. Lukin is visiting all
the schools for the purpose of looking
into and pushing the writing in the
public school. Mr. Lukin reports that
there is much improvement since the
adoption of the new system.