Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • Page 23

TORIAL AND ITORJ A AT VOL. GXXIII OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1935 NO. 105 THE I a a Stevens, while occasionally in the movies, is selling real estate in Glendale. Garrett Taggart ran a drug store at the gore of San Pablo, 14th and Broadway and Standeford ran a candy store nearby. Taft Pcnnoyer were at 14th and Broadway and Kahn's, 12th Washington, and The Lace House, now H.

C. Capwell Co. were across diagonally. A. W.

Williams. same decade, but I can't recall the year, in which Carlotta Monterey, now Mrs. Eugene O'Neill, did Luana and T. Jerome Lawler was the beachcomber. And since we are in reflective, mood this morning I noticed in last week's news items the passing of Mrs.

Fannie Coddington Browning, an American and a collector of the works of Robert Browning. She had an additional claim to fame in that she was the widow of Robert Wiedemann Barrett (Pen) Browning, the -son of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett. Somehow and he is now (1880) entering his uncle's business at Acupulco, Mexico." From this it would appear that Alphonse Sutter projbably served in the California Volunteers of Civil War days, the cavalry regiments of which saw service in Arizona and New Mexico as well as in California. It may be added that he came to Nevada City at the instance, of his Cousin, J. J.

Ott, pioneer assayer, whose business at the same stand is now carried on by his son, Emil J. N. Ott. The elder Ott, like the younger Sutter, was 'of Swiss nativity. Moreover, it is well remembered that J.

J. Ott habitually referred to General John A. Sutter as "Uncle John." Graham, known as "the great reconciler," removed a figure who was a direct link with the old San Francisco of before the fire and earthquake. Judge Graham was the dean of San Francisco's bench, having served as a Superior Judge since 1900. He acquired wide fame through his enlightened handling of divorce cases.

Member of a church which does not countenance divorce, Judge Graham always sought to bring about reconciliations and to save couples from the sad results of hasty and ill-considered judgment. The Judge was not a native of San Francisco, having been brought West by his parents from St. 'Paul, his birthplace, when four years old. But he loved his adopted State and was proud of his early years south of Market. As I recall him in his younger days, he was quite an athlete, proud of his swimming prowess, and at one time, I believe, was the possessor of a fair singing voice.

HeTwas a member of the old Lone Star Club and a great favorite with others in that organization, who were happy to aid his political ambitions after he had studied law. He was employed jn the old Union Iron Works after leaving school and later became a Deputy County Clerk. Admitted to the bar in 1894, he went into the County Prosecutor's office, later being appointed County Prosecutor. He served two years as Police Judge before winning the Superior Judgeship he held so long. An ardent baseball fan, Judge Graham served several years as president of the Pacific Coast Baseball League.

The other cause for mourning in the courts was the sad death of Vincent K. Butler, brilliant young attorney and tax expert, in the airplane crash last Sunday, morning near Cheyenne. Butler was en route East to arrange for an impartial survey of California's tax problems, a subject in which he was deeply interested and toward the solution of which he had contributed valuable aid at the last two sessions of the Legislature. Tax committees at Sacramento had learned to place full confidence in Butler's estimates of probable revenues from various forms of taxes. He was a native of San Francisco who, while attending St.

Ignatius College, won a Rhodes scholarship and went to Oxford. There he became the elose friend of Christopher Morley, Eastern writer and columnist. His was an arresting personality and he had won a wide circle of friends. passing of ffiis old lady makes Katharine Cornell's "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" seem part of the modern scene instead of a picture of Victorian manners. Mrs.

Browning, daughter of an American railroad steel manufacturer, separated from the poet's son after six years. She lived much of her life in this country but went back to London in 1931 after establishing an irrevocable trust fund of $325,000. A subsequent effort in 1934 to have, the terms of the fund altered was refused by the Supreme Court. Theatrical Diary VVHEN JOHN NASH died at an advanced age in Los Angeles last year there was kindly comment in the papers of the world where old timers remembered him as the original stage director of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, the original Samuel in the first act and the policerrian in the second of "The Pirates of Penzance," the man who moved Lillian Russell from the chorus of Pinafore to the lead of the Pirates and the man who was stage director for the old Tivoli in San Francisco. It was duly noted that he left a small estate and a few treasures in the way of sentimental memorabilia.

But it wasn't until the other day in New York that it was discovered that in Nash's effects was a complete diary of his life in the theater to which were appended programs, pictures and other relics invaluable to theatrical antiquarians. The diary consists principally of names of towns and theaters and dates recording his travels starting from the early seventies when as a boy he dime to the United States from England as a member of a trick velocipede team the forerunnSf of the trick Bicycle outfit of vaudeville. The troupe was in a unit show that featured Herrmann the Great, the magician, and it was on this tour that Herrmann fell in love with one of the girl velocipede riders who eventually became Mrs. Herrmann and in time took over his show as Adelaide Herrmann. Shades of Mark Twain 'ESTERN REPUBLICANS are looking toward the 1936 presi dential contest with renewed confidence as a rfciult of the convention of yourieer mem bers of the party here last week-end.

With former President Herbert Hoover as the major speaker, delivering an address which was carried across the nation by radio, the Western States Republican Convention put Oakland' on the 1936 political map. The delegates, most of whom were naturally from California, displayed the enthusiasm of youth and the convention atmosphere was that of an aggressive, militant party determined to regain its historic dominant position in the government. Former President Hoover received a remarkable tribute from those assembled at the dinner given in his honor on Saturday evening. He, in turn, seemed to many imbued with a new fighting spirit. His address was full of high powered ammunition available for constant use against the Democrats, for one of the weakest spots in the New Deal armor is the Roosevelt record of spending.

As for the convention deliberation, they revealed a healthy independence of thought among the younger members of the party. Their Republicanism, it was apparent, is no cut-and-dried, steam rollered product. They were farfrom agreed on 'he issues which will have greatest appeal with the voters, which is not strange, inasmuch as the election is 13 months away. One of the suggestions which occasioned much favorable comment was that contained in the fine address at the opening banquet of George Olmsted of Des Moines, chairman of the Young Republican National Committee, who warned against the New Deal and the Old Deal and in favor of a third alternative which would make use of the best that has been derived from past governmental experience. He branded this proposed third route of possible action "The American Way." The convention was held under the auspices of the California Republican Assembly, a group of younger members of the.

party organized a vear ago. Rossi Favored IN SAN FRANCISCO'S election campaign, which is warming up now that the entries are closed and no further withdrawals are possible, the dopesters are giving Mayor An-gelo J. Rossi a definite edge over the field of opponents. My transbay scouts say the Mayor is assured of the endorsement of the Republican County Centrlll Committee and almost as certain of landing an endorsement from the Democratic County Central Committee, now that Supervisor James B. Mc-Sheehy is out of the fight.

The Rossi campaign is drawing strength from various elements opposed to Supervisor Adolph Uhl, still regarded as the Mayor's chief opponent. The decision of the two county central committees to vote endorsements came as a surprise in some quarters, inasmuch as it was thought there was a gentleman's agreement not to make a partisan fight of it. But if both committees endorse, it is being pointed out, it may still be a non-partisan fight, especially if the slates favored are almost the same, and the endorsements will do the candidates no harm. It is supposed to be in the cards that former Senator Dan Murphy will get the backing of both committees for sheriff. Both he and Sheriff W.

J. "Dick" Fitzgerald are Democrats, so the action of the Republican committee in this particular instance will be non-partisan. Murphy, as was, to be expected, in view of his long connection with organized labor activities, received the endorsement of the political organization of the San Francisco Labor Coun-cil. Fitzgerald received the endorsement of the Steuben Society, political organization of citizens of German ancestry. They tell me that Mayor Rossi got the jitters when he first heard of Murphy's entry into the contest for sheriff.

The Mayor was in San Diego, attending the exposition, when he received a telegram apprising him of Murphy's decision. Inasmuch as Murphy was; a public utilities commissioner and before that a member of the Board of Education, holding both jobs under Rossi, the Mayor is said to have feared that the Murphy candidacy might result in uncomfortable complications and react unfavorably on his own candidacy. However, the fight between Murphy and Fitzgerald seems to be developing without any reflection on the mayoralty campaign. Great Reconciler Gone SAN FRANCISCO COURTS adjourned twice during the past week out of respect to members of bench and bar called by death. The passing of Superior Judge Thomas F.

at for A. of son, 'Mug Books' Closed TTHEY USED TO call them "mug books" the county histories filled with pictures and prose sketches of men who were promi nent or, at least, who could afford to pay for the notice. They were, of course, of large assistance to newspapermen who turned to them for information. M. R.

Henry, editor at Livermore, has made the sad discovery that the old books Alameda County Centennial Book, Woods' History of Alameda County, and the Memorial and Biographical History "of Northern California are now, in effect, closed volumes. "Within the past few months," he writes, "occurred the death of the last man whose biography was recorded those archives. The achievements therein delineated and those of later years are history. May the posterity to which they are bequeathed close the final chapters of its newer generations with records equaling those which the men who laid the foundations of the community won for themselves. Those old biographies were once very popular, being published every few years to the profit of the promoters and satisfaction (usually) of the 'subjects of the sketch' as they were quaintly designated.

In a way their going out of style is a loss, for they performed a real service, both at. the time of publication and as histories. Blessed be their memory for the service they have rendered newspapers." Surely, there is something here to stir memories! Rose of the Rancho 1AM VERY MUCH interested in the forthcoming cinema production of "The Rose of the Rancho" nofa alone because it is the original work "of Richard Walton Tully, a local boy who made good in the big cities, but because it provides an opportunity to see whether public opinion changes. The play has been outfitted with music and will star, insteadof essentially dramatic actors, two singers, Gladys Swarthout and John Boles. Such an experiment was tried here in Oakland a good many years ago by John J.

MacArthur with Alice Gentle as Juanita, the Rose of the Rancho, and it was a signal failure. The music lovers didn't care to see Miss Gentle as a dramatic stock actress regardless of the interpolated songs; and the stock fans were chary of a grand opera diva as a leading woman. Despite the fact that he lost money, MacArthut always contended that the play was an ideal musical and should have been offered the public in that form in the first place. Perhaps he was right after all. "The Rose of the Rancho" was based on an actual case, that of Senorita Juanita Castro, who lived on the famous Castro Rancho near Monterey when that city was the Capital of California.

It was introduced to New Vork in 1912 and created quite a stir since Tully wrote bitterly of the Castros' experiences after California's admission to the Union, as typical of the hardships of all of the Spanish grandees at the hands of unscrupulous American land-grabbers. It was made as a movie by Cecil B. De Mille two years later with Bessie Barriscale and J. W. Johnstone in the leading roles.

Many of us saw it here at old Ye Liberty in the Spring of 1913 with a cast that contains several names now known to the films. Kernan Cripps played the lead, although he is now content to do occasional bits on the screen; Jimmy Gleason, who is now a star, had a small role; Ivan Miller, Broderick O'Farrell and Brady Kline, all Hollywood bit players, had important parts and Jane Urban was Juanita, with the late Mrs. Mina Gleason as her mother. In Other Days SPEAKING OF TULLY recalls to my mind the recent death of David Landau in Hollywood. The obituaries called attention to his splendid work on the stage in "Street Scene," which took him to Hollywood, but as a matter of fact his first great piece of work was done in Tully's "The Bird of Paradise" when he followed Guy Bates Post in the role of Ten Thousand Dollar Dean, the beach comber.

That was in a-4917 revival with Olin Field as the Luana. The original production included Lewis Stone, Laurette Taylor and Theodore Roberts in the cast. There was another memorable one in that Church Anniversary TP IN MARYSVILLE members of the First Presbyterian Church will celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the dedication of their building which is still an imposing landmark. Go to Marysville and its tall spire will draw your eye. Visit the church and you will see one which is mellowed with age and hallowed with an appearance of service and story.

Back in 1860, when the church was completed, it was the most imposing one in many miles. It cost twenty-five thousand dollars and was welcomed as a triumph and a promise. The beginnings went back to the first year after the gold discovery. A Marysville correspondent to the Bee in Sacramento informs us that on November 24, 1850, the first congregation was organized ap the Presbyterian Society. Rev.

W. W. Bier was the first moderatoriand A. T. Farrish the clerk.

Even before tbp society was organized Rev. Bier had been preaching in Marysville, his first sermon having been given under an oak tree near the Yuba River and subsequent sermons in the courthouse. The first building occupied by the Presbyterian Society was at Third and Streets. It was destroyed in the fire of 1854 and for a time the Presbyterians met with the Methodist Society. Plans for the present building were started in 1858, but were dropped temporarily because of a gold rush in British Columbia, which was taking away many Marysville residents.

Ground was broken for the new building in August, 1859. It took more than' a-year to complete the structure. William Paten of Sacramento-was the architect and the materials used were all California materials. The brick for the structure was made at a kiln on the outskirts of Marysville. The lime carfle from Auburn and the lumber used was California pine.

Rev. Raymond M. Huston is the pastor of the church and is preparing the program for the diamond anniversary. Old Oakland Days THE KNAVE: Anent your article September 22, entitled "Historic City Sites," I am impelled by long residence on this side of the bay to make a few statements as to the early days of Oakland. I was born in San Francisco in 1884 and moved to Oakland in 1886, my first residence being at 22nd and Broadway which was then a long way out and 24th Street in those days was called Charter.

Street and was the original city limit. I remember Blair's Park alongside of Mountain View Cemetery and the cable car that carried you out there; also the gravity ride downhill freed of cable or other motive power. was a cable turntable in front of the City Hall at 14th and Washington Streets and the Library was next door. The cable power house was at 24jji and Harrison where Don Lee is located today, and the Piedmont Baths were one of the early structures in that locality. The present Lakeside Park was known as Adams Point and there was a baseball field thereabouts.

On the old 12th Street dam was a rather -famous roadhouse in its day. The Galindo Hotel still "stands at Eighth and Franklin and the Metropole was at 11th and Washington Streets, before Whitthorne Swan took in the whole block. Shellmound Park at Emeryville always had a good murder nearly every Sunday and the Dietz Opera House at 13th and Webster was still standing. The Coliseum pt.zzles me a little though I believe it was a block of barn-like buildings at 12th and Harrison to Alice and to 11th. The original commission district was at 11th and Washington to Broadway, and Hunt-Hatch, Gallagher Harris, W.

T. Rouse and I could name more. Phelan Fish ran a wholesale grocery store on the corner of 11th and Washington. Where the Washington Market is today, F. D.

Sanborn had- a nursery yard. The People's Theater was located on Washington between 11 and 12th. The Oakland Theater afterward became the Dewey and Landers. Stevens and Maurice Stewart thrilled me for a dime every Saturday afternoon. Maurice Stewart is now secretary of the Scottish Rite and Landers William Alphonse Sutter UP IN NEVADA CITY is the graye of William Alphonse Sutter, youngest son of the General, and himself bearing the title of Colonel.

A recent inquiry concerning the grave and the man was turned over to Edmund G. Kinyon of Grass Valley. Mr. Kin-yon writes that Pioneer Cemetery at Nevada City, partly reclaimed from brush growths and trash-dumping during recent months by relief labor and in some measure restored as to fallen tombstones and crumbling enclosures, is the site of the Sutter grave. Therein, also, is tne grave of Captain Meri-dith, hero of the Washoe Indian War in the early days of the Comstock.

William Alphonse Sutter, apparently known as "Alphonse," was a member of the somewhat shadowy family of John A. Sutter during his baronial days on the Sacramento, the family which mingled little in the California scene until well subsequent to the gold discovery. His birth was in Switzerland in 1832. His death was at Nevada City-on August 14, 1863. Exists something of local tradition to the effect that Alphonse Sutter participated in one or more of the Walker filibustering expeditions and thereby contracted an ailment which later caused him to invoke the benefit of the pure mountain air at Nevada City.

A printed version, however, is that he was a Union soldier of the Civil War, and an officer; that he was wounded in action, dying from the effects thereof while seeking recuperation Nevada City. From the Records "THE BOOK "Sutter of California," by Julian Dana, relates that the broken and embittered John A. Sutter of 1880, at the time when he was living near Washington to the better press his claim upon the Government restoration of his lands or payment therefor, set down fragmentary notes for the benefit of an interested friend. In one df these, after referring to his eldest son, John Sutter and to his daughters, he said: "My youngest son, Colonel William Alphpnse Sutter, died of battle wounds in the cause the Union. He commanded eighty men from Sutter County against the rebels.

He was born at Bern, Switzerland, in 1832 and died at Nevada City, California, in 1863. He married a Miss Stootz of Bern. They had one Alphonse. His uncle, Emil, raised him KNAVE: Some two months ago, in the yellowed files of an old newspaper, I came across what seemed to me to be a rather interesting yarn. It was unsigned, an article about a rip-snortin' gent of early Virginia City named Buck Hanshaw, who appeared to be a man of parts.

If half the things said about him were true he was unique. In fact, he so impressed me I promptly reproduced his story for the Pony Express Courier, and the article in question was published in the last issue. To my vast surprise at leasft. a dozen friends have written me this week and called my attention to the fact that the story of Buck Hanshaw is told with great effect by Mark Twain in "Roughing It." I found the story in the May 9th issue of the Truckee Republican for the year 1872; and on checking closely I find the Tntckee Republican had copied the yarn from the Territorial Enterprise, Mark Twain's old paper! Later, Mark Twain must have collected the story and placed it in "Roughing It." And who had never read "Roughing It," hadn't known it was his! Imagine my chagrin to find it was a well-known Mark Twain story! This is merely one instance to show how difficult it is to check research material of this sort. Many of the old papers merely printed a story (as in this case) without giving the author credit.

However, I'd like to lay these authorial hands on, the defunct editor of the TrncJcee Republican, drat him! Another amusing instance somewhat like this popped into my ken the other day: George Westbook once knew a famous and murderous blackamoor, nicknamed "Black Tom," on the island of Arnho, in the Marsh alls. This Negro's favorite expression in his cups was "Nevah kick a man when he's down unless you're suah he can't get up!" A week ago I ran across this same happy version in the Town Crier's column in SW old News-Letter of 1870. The Arnho black man is credited with his pleasantry long before that. And, for your information, the Town-Crier of the News-Letter in 1870 was none other than Ambrose Gwinett Bierce. Julian Dana.

-THE KNAVE.