64 Pages
Pages 1 to 12
VOL. XXVII. NO. 18.
PORTLAND. OREGON, SUNDAY MORNING, MAY 3. 1908.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
1
MURDERER SEEN
H WOLFFS SHOP
Police Get Description
of Assassin.
VALUABLE WITNESS APPEARS
M. L Du.Bois Says He Can
Identify Criminal if Caught.
FURNISHES THE ONLY CLEW
Cook Who Stopped in Front of the
Pawnshop After the Killing Was
Done Saw Stranger Behind the
Counter Case Is Mystery.
DEVELOPMENTS OF DAY IN .
WOLFF Ml'RDER CASE.
Police are now convinced that
Wolff was murdered by one man.
Their theory Is supported by M. L.
DuBols. who reports seeing a strange
man behind the counter In the store
at 6:20 P. M. on the night of the
murder.
Chief Gritzmacher la notified that
a hobo has been seen selling Jewelry
at Halsey. Linn County, and requests
man's arrest.
Coroner's Jury finds "that Nathan
Wolff came to his death at 165 First
street. In Portland, Multnomah
County, Oregon, about 7 o'clock P. M.
May 1, 1908, from effects of gunshot
wound In neck and blows on head,
causing fractures of skull. Inflicted
with murderous intent by some per
son or persons unknown to the
Jury."
Collar, bearing laundry mark. left
by robot r In Wolff's store, falls to
give clew for police.
No arrests have been made.
That the killing of Nathan Wolff, the
First-street pawnbroker, was done by
one ' man is the belief of the police.
Their theory is supported by M. L. Du
Bols, night cook at the Bismarck res
taurant, 209 Morrison street, who called
at the police station yesterday and told
of having seen a strange man standing
behind the counter In Wolff's store at
6:20 P. M. on the day of the murder.
DuBois explained that he attached no
significance to the circumstance, think
'lng that the stranger was in the employ
of the pawnbroker. Reading of the
murder yesterday morning, Mr. .DuBois
went directly to police headquarters and
told his story. He Is confident he would
be able to identify the stranger, who Is
described as a man about 5 feet 9 inches
high, weighing 160 pounds.
Suspect Sells Jewelry.
Besides this Important development,
Chief Gritzmacher during the day re
ceived a telephone message from Halsey
advising him that a man, having the ap
pearance of a tramp, but pretending to
be a traveling jewelry salesman, had
been seen In that vicinity, traveling to
ward Harrisburg. The man was reported
to be carrying two telescopes, filled with
a cheap grade of jewelry, consisting prin
cipally of the kind of goods carried away
from Wolff's store Friday night.
What la considered a further suspicious
circumstance Is the act that the man
wore neither a collar nor a necktie. The
murderer of Wolff divested himself of
these articles before leaving the scene of
the murder and robbery, and they are in
the possession of the police. The police
authorities at Harrisburg, Lebanon and
Eugene have been requested to cause the
arrest of the vendor on sight. While the
peddler may not be the murderer, it is
believed by the local authorities that he
may be one of the murderer's confeder
ates engaged in disposing of the stolen
Jewelry.
Result of Inquest.
Coroner Finiey held an Inquest yester
day afternoon, the examination of wit
nesses being conducted by Deputy Dis
trict Attorney Stevenson. The jury re
ported a verdict finding that Wolff had
Maybe Portland Will Be Permitted to
See the fleet as It Goes By.
i
been murdered by some person or per
sons not known. The only Important
fact developed In the examination waa
elicited from City Physician Zeigler, who
testified that Wolff had been dead at
least two hours when be examined the
dead body at 9 o'clock.
This declaration tallies with that of
DuBois, who reports that he saw an un
known man in the jewelry, store at 6:20
o'clock, less than three hours before the
dead body of the merchant was found
and examined by Dr. Zeigler.
Interviews All Patrons.
Under direction of Chief Gritzmacher,
Acting Captain of Detectives Baty yes
terday located as many of the persons
who visited Wolff's store Friday after
noon, between 4 o'clock in the after
noon and the time that Nightwatchman
Robinson discovered the store locked, at
6:45 o'clock, as it was possible for him
to find, in hopes of throwing some light
on the tragedy. It was while thus en
gaged that DuBois voluntarily called at
Tlrey L. Ford, Counsel of United
Railroads of San Francisco,
Attain Acquitted of Bribe
Giving. police headquarters and related his story
to Chief Gritzmacher.
DuBois explained that it had been his
habit to stop at Wolff's store In the late
afternoon, when on his way to work, to
Inspect through the show window (the
assortment of ecarfplns on display. He
accounted for this habit from the fact
that the collection contained two pins
that particularly attracted his attenibn,
one of which he had resolved to pur
chase when he could decide on a choice
between the two.
Da Bols Tells Story.
Friday night DuBois said he made his
usual rounds on his way home, reaching
Wolff's store not later than 6:20 o'clock. :
"I have known Mr. Wolff personally for
three years," said Mr. DuBois last night,
"and while I attached no importance to
what I saw last night at his store the
import of it flashed across me this morn
ing when I read the account of the mur
der and I felt It my duty to inform the
police.
"I was passing the store, walking north
on First street at exactly 6:20 o'clock. I
remember that this was the exact time
because I am supposed to report at the
restaurant for work at 6:30 o'clock and
I had noticed a clock in a store only a
few doors up the street.
"When I got to Wolff's place I stopped
in front of the north show window. Mr.
Wolff had several scarf pins in this
window and two or three of them had
previously attracted my attention. I
liked all of them and had about made up
my mind to Duy one of them, only I
couldn't decide which one to select. For
several evenings I had paused on my
way to work trying to decide on which
pin I liked the best. Two evenings be
fore my wife came along too, to look
at the pins.
Saw Ioor AVide Open.
"Friday night, although it was raining.
I could not resist the temptation to stop
again. The pins were displayed by being
stuck in an oblong piece of black velvet.
I must have stood there four or live
minutes and had about decided to pass
on when I thought I would ask Mr. Wolff
about the price of the one I had selected.
I looked up Into the store. Seeing the
front door wide open I thought Mr. Wolff
must be Inside. I looked behind the
counter on the north side of the store
where I have usually seen him at such
times as I- have passed. He was not
there. I then looked on the opposite
side of the store, and "there, behind the
counter I saw a strange man. I had
never seen him before. I thought, as
thoughts sometimes flash througlj one's
(Concluded on Page 8.)
i " jf-?l t
- x
HARRY MURPHY SHEDS
"Walk lt. Gents, the Big Show Is On."
POISON GIVEN IN
FRATERNALSPIRIT
Woman Leader of the
Woodmen Is Victim.
FIERCE DISSENSION IN ORDER
Mrs. Dr. Calfas Almost Killed
by Eating Candy.
QUARREL IS KEPT SECRET
Auxiliary to Woodmen 'of World So
Torn by Factions That Murder
Is Attempted Sister Offi
cial's Significant Words.
OMAHA, Neb., May 2. (Special.) The
most sensational poisoning eevr known
In the West Is believed by the police to
be a sequel to internal dissensions which
have grown from Insignificant propor
tions to open warfare, and which prom
ise tp become the principal theme of in
terest at a meeting next week of the
executive council of the Woodmen Cir
cle, which is the women's auxiliary of
the Woodmen of the World.
Since Saturday night, April 27, Mrs.
Dr. Jennie Calfas, supreme physician of
the Woodmen Circle, has. been hovering
between life and death, as the result.
Dr. C. F. Clark, her physician, states,
of having taken corrosive sublimate.
Mrs. Calfas herself declares this poison
was contained In chocolate bonbons, a
box of which she found on her front
porch when she returned home from her
office the evening of April 25.
Only Hints Explain Case.
While many and varied stories are
coming out regarding the matter. It is
apparently a remarkable case which
neither the city police nor the Calfas
family have been able fully to explain.
Many hints have been thrown out by
parties in the case, but no formal
charges have been preferred by any per
son. Among other names mentioned in con
nection with the case is that of W. H.
Hughes, of St. Louis; who is a member
of the Missouri State Fish Commission.
Mr. Hughes is at present city manager
for the. Woodmen of the World in St.
Louis, and it was on his recommenda
tion and through his influence, according
to Mrs. Emma B. Manchester, supreme
guardian of the order, that Mrs. Calfas
was elected supreme physician. Mr.
Hugh.es has been - in Omaha for a week,
leaving only two days ago for St. Louis,
but his presence here has not been ex
plained. Husband's Story of Poison.
Mrs. Calfas' husband detailed the
poisoning episode and told minutely of
the events which have transpired dur
ing the past week. He also is a physi
cian and admitted that everything possi
ble had been done to prevent publicity in
the matter.
"Mrs. Calfas reached home at 5:30 that
evening," he explained, "and found fhe
box of candy, addressed In typewriting
to Mrs. Calfas at her office. Thinking
the messenger had found her office
locked and no person at her home, and
had left the box on the porch, site opened
it. She only ate one of the chocolates,
when she detected something wrong with
the taste. She became violently ill at
once and three physicians were called.
For a time Mrs. Calfas' life was in dan
ger, but prompt use of emetics revived
her. Since that time she has been a very
sick woman and has thus far been un
able to take any food."
Evidence of Dissension.
Mrs. B. Manchester, supreme guardian
of the circle, has until now refused ab
solutely to discuss the matter, but to
day submitted to an Interview. Mrs.
Manchester, with tears in her eyes, de
clared it was the first time anything of
the kind bad ever occurred within the
circle, which had 53,000 members, and
said she felt that she must refrain from
THE ILLUMINATING RAYS OF HIS GENIAL HUMOR ON SOME OF THE EVENTS OF THE WEEK
s yio May-Day Reception I1
giving the affair more publicity than it
had already received. . -
"Have the relations between yourself
and Mrs. Calfas been pleasant?"
"Oh, yes, officially. I do not see or
communicate with her otherwise. I have
not been out to her home."
Mrs. Manchester's talk made It evident
that internal dissension was ,at a high
pitch within the higher councils, but
evaded further direct questioning.
JOHN M. GATES A SUICIDE
Despondent, He Takes Poison Said
&
to. Have Relatives in Oregon.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 2. John M.
Gates, a young broker, committed sui
cide in his office In the Pacific building
late last night by swallowing cyanide of
potassium. Gates recently wrote to a
friend in this city, saying he would end
his life If he could not obtain money. He
was 30 years old and the son of Captain
M. Gates, proprietor of a hotel In Hills
boro. Or.. ,
HILLSBORO. Or., May 2. (Special.)
Nothing can be learned here tonight of
John M. Gates. There is no hotel proprie
tor here by the name of Captain M. Gates
CONTENTS TODAY'S PAPER
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 63
degrees; minimum, 44 degrees.
TODAY'S Occasional rain; outhweat winds.
' Foreign.
Queen Alexandra and the Czarina see Lon
don algrhts. Section 4, page 1.
Respected merchant pulltv of wholesale bur
glary In England. Section 1. page 2.
"National.
House Rejyubllcans to caucus on currency
and anti-trust bills. Section 4, page 0.
Paper trust's excuse for extortion exposed.
Section 1. page 4.
Senate rejects appropriation for Paris em
bassy building. Section 1. page S.
Champ Clark denounces Junketing officers
In House. Section 1, page 6.
Mondell wants to know about land grant.
Section 1. page 3.
Politics.
Republican discussions cause Democrats to
hope for victory in election. Section 1.
page I.
Linroln-Roosebelt League says it has Cali
fornia machine beaten. Section 1, page 2.
Independence League of New York elects
National delegates and opposes fusion.
(Section 1, page 4.
Domestic.
Darrow to defend editor of Socialist paper.
Section 1, page 2..
Woman leader in Woodmen's Order poi
soned as result of Internal feud. - Sec
tion 1, page 1.
Grover Cleveland recovering; his wife de
nies rumors. Section 1. page S.
Senator Money lives 35 years with broken
neck. Section 1. page 10.
Great Catholic parade in New York re
viewed by Cardinal Logue. Section 1,
page 4.-
Association organised to revive prosperity.
Section 1. page 2.
Hoodlum suspected of blowing up train at
, Butte. Section 1, page 6.
Sports.
Review of 'Portland ball team's perform
ances, by Harry B. Smith. Section 4,
Page 8.
Coming Portland auto road races attract
- wide attention. Section 4, Page 6.
Chemawa beats Y. M. C. A. in annual
Salem-Portland relay race.- Section 1,
. page 11. ' .'
Special prizes awarded at bench show. Sec
tion 2. page 2.
Rock Island Club will open this week.
Section 4, page T.
Prominent men approve club boxing tourna
ments. Section 4, page 6.
Pacific Coast scores: Portland t, San
Francisco 10. Page 2.
Whitman wins tri -state track meet at
Pullman ; Northwest hurdle record
smashed. Section 2, page 2.
Pacific Coast.
Fleet to slow down oft Oregon ports to
giva chance to be seen. Section 1,
page 3.
Tlrey Ford again acquitted of bribery. Sec
tion 1, page 7. .
Woman thief unconsciously betrays whole
gang to detectives. Section 1. page 2.
First train over water-grade road reaches
Lewiston; celebration . in North. Idaho
metropolis. Section X, page 1.
Serious fire at Wilbur, Or. Section 1,
page 6.
Idaho State Treasurer's books show funds
are not up to requirements. Section 1,
page 7. .
Commercial said Marine.
Oregon hop growers preparing to turn out
another big crop. Section 4, page 11.
Bug reports help advance In wheat market.
Section 4. page 11.
Advance In stocks sacrificed In a 'reaction.
Section 4, page 1.
New York bank statement reveals decrease
in reserve. Section 4, page 11.
Portland gets short end of cargo of the
steamship Nlcomedla. Section 4,. page ltX
Portland and Vicinity.
Police obtain description of murderer of
Nathan Wolff; case still a mystery.
Section 1, page 1.
Pioneers celebrate Champoeg day. Section 1,
page 10.
La dd & Ttlton Bank Incorporated for
$1,000,000. Section 2, page 12.
Bill for division of Wasco County has no
opposition. Section 3. page 0.
P. A. Marquam's motion for permission to
file new complaint against Mortgage
Company denied. Section 1, page .
April statistics prove Portland's - prosperity.
, Section 8, page 10.
New buildings transform Portland's skyline.
Section 3. page 8.
Explanation of . Port of Portland initiative
bill. Section 8, page 12.
East 81d residents work for district plan
of street improvement. Section 3, page 11.
Bdw Jerome Started Out and Bow He
I&ndea Up. .
DISSENSION
MA
ELECT
T
Hope Revived by Re
publican Quarrels.
HOUSE LEADERS ARE PENITENT
But Senate Will Kill All Roose
velt's Bills
BECAUSE IT HATES HIM
Possibility of Victory Inclines Dem
ocrats to Turn From Bryan to
Johnson Any Currency Bill
Doomed to Oblivion.
Walter Wellman to Chicago Record-Herald.
WASHINGTON, May 2. (Special.)
These are Democratic days at the Na
tional capital. Because of the quar
rels and faction fights among- the Re
publicans, the Democratic leaders real
ly believe they will have a chance to
carry the country next Fall. Although
the leadership of the House is showing
an eleventh-hour desire to do some
thing to ' satisfy public opinion, it is
admitted by everyone that the Senate
will stand pat and to the bitter end
squelch all the demands of President
Roosevelt, for additional legislation.
This encourages Democratic leaders
to the hope that, when the country
fully understands the party in power
has failed to stand by the administrar
tlon, it may punish the Republicans by
electing a Democratic President and
House of Representatives. Not for
years have the Democrats in Congress
fell so hopeful of carrying a Presiden
tial election as they do now. Their
optimism may or may not be Justified,
but that is the way they feel.
Turn Prom Bryan to Johnson.
This revival of spirit among the
Democracy does not help the cause of
Mr. Bryan. As the Democrats lift up
their heads and think they can scent
something like victory, they at once
begin asking which candidate will of
fer the greatest promise of reaping the
harvest of their hopes. -As a rule, the
Democrats in Congress, with this as
their point of view, turn from Mr.
Bryan .to Mr. Johnson, although the
Nebraskan still numbers among his
followers many who think him the
strongest candidate their party can
name. The point is that with reviving
hope the Democracy will surely make
a more vigorous effort to do the wise
and strong thing at Denver; and that
of itself raises an interrogation mark
as to the certainty of Mr. Bryan's
nomination.
House Scared Into Action.
It is well known that the Republlo
ans of the House threatened revolt
against the Cannon - Payne - Dalzell
leadership and do-nothingism. The
Republicans were afraid that, if they
went to the country on their record
as the Speaker and his lieutenants
would write it, many of them would
be in danger of defeat. This, and not
any change of heart as to the wisdom
of the President's recommendations,
led to the "about face" in the lower
branch. The somewhat distracted
leaders of the House will make a vig
orous effort during the remainder" of'
the session to appease public opinion.
Senators Will Foil Roosevelt.
But the feeling against the Presi
dent in the Senate is so bitter, it Is
considered certain nothing can be done
there. Privately Republican Senators
speak of Mr. Roosevelt in terms any
thing but those of respect. The talk
of today in the cloakrooms of the
upper branch, especially on the Re
publican side, is much like that which
was heard in Wall street during and
just after the panic of last October.
With this bitterness prevailing and
the end of the session so near, it is
doubtful if even a financial bill can be
Pi eit j Irre for One Man's Load.
DEMOGHA
pushed through both houses. Hoping
to save their bacon in the opinion of
the country, the House leaders are de
termined to pass the Vreeland bill or
something like' it, but the Senate Is
now lukewarm.' Mr. .Aldrlch has lost
his zeal' for financial legislation. His
name Js no longer up"on the pending
measure. He is sore because his pet
was treated . so ' roughly ;ln the House.
He feels that with his almost auto
cratic power-over, the, lower branch.
Speaker Cannon' should ha've . stood to
his guns and pushed tne Aldrlch. bill
through. What's the use of being a
boss -If you can't do things?
ODFXIi' CHOSEN AS . DELEGATE
Instructed to Vote for Nominee to
Carry Out Present Bolides.
MIDDL.ETOWN. N. Y., May 1 The Re
publican convention of the Twentieth
Congressional District elected ex-Governor
P.- B. Odell and Congressman Thomas
W. Bradley delegates to the National
Senator J. W. Bailey, of Texas,
Klected Delegate to National
Democratic Convention, After
Bitter Contest. .
convention today. Resolutions advocating
the selection of a Presidential nominee
who will carry out the policies of the
present administration were adopted.
MAJORITY ABOUT 18.000
SENATOR BAILEY WINS HARD
FIGHT IN TEXAS.
His Ticket for Delegates to National
Democratic Convention Decisively
Ahead Both Indorse Bryan.
DALLAS, Texas, May 8. At- an early
hour this morning the figures from the
Democratic primary to select delegates
to the National Convention (partial re
turns) indicate the following:
Ticket headed by United States Sena
tor Bailey, 99.149.
By Cone Johnson, 80,593.
This makes the corrected figures of the
Senator's ticket majority show a total
of 18,656 votes.
Both sides in naming tickets declared
for William J. Bryan for President and
pledged the Texas delegation to the Ne
braskan. READY TO TAKE UP CONTESTS
Republican National Cdmmlttee Will
Soon Get Down to Work
i
WASHINGTON, May 2. Headquarters
of the Republican National -committee will
be opened in Chicago on Monday, May
11. Offices of the chairman, H. S. New,
Secretary Elmer Dover and, Sergeant-at-Arms
W. S. Stone will be established at
the Coliseum, where the convention will
be held. . , -
Chairman New will arrive in Washing
ton tomorrow, to take up with Secretary
Dover some details of the ' committee's
work. Ordinarily it Is the committee's
practice to accord 15 minutes to each side
in a district contest and to give 15 minutes-to
a consideration of a case: That
means approximately that one hour is
devoted to eaca district contest. To con
tests on delegates-at-large two hours us
ually are given by the committee.
Thus far the committee has received
official notification of only five contests.
Contestants have until May 25 to file no
tices with the committee and it Is known
that a good many contests will be brought
before the committee by that time. It
Is expected by the officials of the com
mittee that nine or ten days will be. con
sumed in the hearing of- contests.
Front End Bmokej Rear End, Mud.
i te. i
FIRST TIN OVER
RIVER
GRADE ROAD
Lewiston-Clarkston
Celebrate Event.
WELCOME PORTLAND VISITORS
Wonders of Clearwater Coun
ty Amaze Oregonians
WHOLE CITY OVERJOYED
After Years of Waiting, the Metrop
olis of Northern Idaho Becomes
Commercially Reunited With
Metropolis of the Northwest.
BY B. W. WRIGHT.
LEWISTON, Idaho, May 2. (Spe
cial.) Like a reunion of the long-separated
members of a family was the'
meeting between the Lewlston people
and the Portland business men who
arrived on the first through train be
tween Portland and the Clearwater
metropolis. All Lewlston, from the
grayheaded pioneer to the babe in
arms, was down to witness the arrival
of the train, and as it rolled majestic
ally over the new bridge across the
Clearwater the cheering was so
tumultuous as to almost drown the
screams of every steam whistle in the
city, the clanging of bells and martial
music of a couple of able-bodied brass
bands.
All Lewlston rejoiced, and well It
might, for the coming of this train
marked the beginning of a new era
which is bound to bring with it great
changes.
- Dream of Years Realized.
There was great jollification wheM
Jhe train on the Northern Pacific
rolled into Lewiston about ten years
ago, superseding to a considerable ex
tent the (low-moving steamboats and
stages on Which Lewiston had from its
conception been dependent.. But the
Northern Pacific had come Into the
city by an unnatural route and it was .
forced to draw the traffic away to
strange markets with which Lewiston
had never had much in common.
It was welcomed, of course, because
the facilities it provided were so over
whelmingly superior to anything
that Lewiston had been accustomed to
(Concluded on Page
OREGONIAN INFORMATION
BUREAU
Oregon, Washington and Idaho
people please register.
(Chance in location of bureau from
Ferry bulldin to California building-,
Union Square.)
THE Oregonlan Information Bureau,
established in San Francisco to aid
Oregonlan readers from this territory
in getting accommodations and to help
them in every possible way to see the
fleet to best advantage, will have rooms
in the California Building, Union
Square, which should be made the head
quarters of people from Oregon, Wash
ington and Idaho. Visitors In San
Francisco from this territory should
register there. They will be given all
the Information they may deelre, and
they can secure rooms to suit them by
making use of this bureau. Lists of
accommodations will be available there.
The names of people registering at
the bureau will be telegraphed to The
Oregonlan on the day they arrive for
the benefit of friends throughout the
Pacific Northwest. Visitors in San
Francisco who want to get in touch
with their friends can do so by making
use of the registration list, which will
have the addresses of all Northwest
people who call.
If you are going to San Francisco
to see the fleet come Into the Golden
Gate, your worries will be reduced to
a minimum if you make use . of The
Oregonlan Information Bureau, which
has been established for your special
benefit, and without cost to you.
Really Now. Is It So Bad as TbatT