anaheim-gazette 1910-12-15

SCHOOL BONDS BEATEN IN LICHT VOTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRIUMPHS OVER SCHOOL BOARD Persistent Rumors that Latter Had Taken Option of Undesirable Site for New Building Result in Defeating Measure, When Overcrowded Condition of Schools Demands More Room—Antis Poll a Majority Over Bond Advocates — Circulars Distributed For and Against Issue What with the bubble and squeak of the mighty contest between the chamber of commerce and school trustees, lack of interest characterized the school bond election on Saturday, and only 165 votes were polled. The election was one of the quietest ever held in the district, about the polls things were tame as a summer's day at El Modena. So far from polling the necessary two-thirds vote, the bonds had but a slight margin over one-third the bal- ing. What will you do with your children? Will you provide school facilities? "Vote Bonds?"—Yes. "J. H. Clabaugh, Wm. H. Chambers, W. O. F. Schwenckert, Trustees." The chamber of commerce came back at the school trustees with the following dodger, which was circulated about town on Friday afternoon and Saturday: "Vote against school bonds. "We are always in favor of public development, progress and improvement, but when $40,000.00 worth of bonds are voted for the purpose of erecting a new school building we believe that the people are entitled to know where the building is to be located and whose land is to be bought for the purpose. When that information is denied the people their suspicion is justly aroused, "We have discovered that an option has been secured by the school trustees on land lying south of the S.P.R.R. tracks. "Do you like that location? "Do you want your children to continually cross railroad tracks? If you do, vote for the bonds. If you do not vote against them and insist What with the bubble and squeak of the mighty contest between the chamber of commerce and school trustees, lack of interest characterized the school bond election on Saturday, and only 165 votes were polled. The election was one of the quietest ever held in the district and about the polls things were tame as a summer's day at El Modena. So far from polling the necessary two-thirds vote, the bonds had but a slight margin over one-third the ballots cast. The vote stood: For the bonds 63, against 102. The result indicated that the fight inaugurated against the bonds by the chamber of commerce was effectual, although even that organization does not deny that a new schoolhouse is an urgent necessity. The main objection urged by that body was that the school trustees had taken an option on a tract of ten acres south of the Southern Pacific tracks, and that this site was disadvantageous to the needs of the district. One report was that the school trustees had taken an option on the ten acres at the corner of South and Olive streets, which is especially disadvantage as to railroads, having the Southern Pacific on the west and the Santa Fe on the east, with no street entrance on the north. The property was entirely under water by the overflow of last January, and as the only approach is from the south, the report operated still further to the defeat of the bonds. Although the school trustees early in the fight denied the story, the day was lost. The site upon which an option was taken was one farther to the west, fronting Los Angeles street, yet still south of the railroad tracks. Members of the chamber of commerce favor building on the present site of the Central school, and purchasing the block adjoining the grounds on the east. Other taxpayers favor a site further west, and other locations have their advocates. Meantime the schools continue in overcrowded condition, and another schoolhouse seems as much of a necessity as ever. The school trustees circulated the following printed circular: "To the Voters of Anaheim School District. "A few weeks ago the Anaheim school trustees called a district meeting for the purpose of discussing the advisability of voting bonds for the purpose of purchasing a site and erecting a much needed school build- to know where the building is to be located and whose land is to be bought for the purpose. When that information is denied the people their suspicion is justly aroused. "We have discovered that an option has been secured by the school trustees on land lying south of the S.P.R.R.. tracks. "Do you like that location? "Do you want your children to continually cross railroad tracks? If you do, vote for the bonds. If you do not, vote against them and insist upon a square deal. Respectfully, "Anaheim Chamber of Commerce." HIGHSCHOOL HAPPENINGS Orange Wins First Basket Ball Game of Season On Friday on the home grounds Anaheim and Orange highschool teams met in their first basket ball game of the season, which ended after a tough struggle with Orange victor, 22-28. Coach Culp has selected his first team men and has a squad which bids fair to be a winning combination, and as the season advances it is sure to be found among the winners. The task of making a selection has been necessarily slow, between 20 and 30 reporting for practice and with few exceptions all are new at the game, so the job has been no easy one. Still there are vacancies or positions poorly filled and many second team men are now working for their berths, with the result that good work is being done. The girls' team is suffering from injuries received in their game with the Anaheim grammar school, over whom they were victorious by the score of 8-18. The game with the Orange girls was all Orange, they winning 7-25 through entirely superior playing. On Monday evening the grammar school of Anaheim was taken into camp by the H. S. freshmen who won by the score of 1-8. Gymnastic classes are at work over 40 enrolling in the boys' classes, and equally as many girls in their classes. Military drill, calisthenics, tumbling and lectures on health constitute the bulk of the course. Work is hampered by the slow arrival of our equipment, still classwork is advancing. Our grounds are being improved, the track and basketball courts being under special care and when completed will be excellent. The track Sixty-five republicans, divided between the state and Lincoln-Roosevelters senting almost every voice in northern Orange county led at Odd Fellows' hall ening in response to a issued by a committee, pose of considering the A. I. Stewart of Fuller position of assessor of City, which office was made the recent death of W. J. Judge Howard called this order and was elected clerk F. C. Spencer was chosen secretary. Judge Howard stated, the meeting, that he called the republicans to the purpose of considerer because Mr. Stewart led to the appointment second man in the racearies. The northern endity, he said, also felt that titled to another representthe court house, the electiff Ruddock giving us thcial this end of the court in many years. There are three candid field besides Stewart—Dorser Kelly, who was appliedthe unexpired term. Postwards of Orange, and Othe present chairman of supervisors, and the juices that the committee had word that the board had cided to appoint Edward Short talks were made Dutton, McComber, No Krick, Cailor, Spencer, Haskell and others, all dorsing Mr. Stewart and support of the various juries. In reply Mr. Stewart would not be a candidate pointment unless he had ded support of the north county. He carried visorial districts, he sai primaries, but was defeated Ana. Mr. Edwards, he was a reluctant candidate previously endorsed him sition. If endorsed he petitions in every section county and will present and a delegation when orrs meet to make them that will prove to their republicans in this county stand in the mafice will be far from a thought, since the adoptational Amendment N overcrowded condition, and another schoolhouse seems as much of a necessity as ever. The school trustees circulated the following printed circular: "To the Voters of Anaheim School District. "A few weeks ago the Anaheim school trustees called a district meeting for the purpose of discussing the advisability of voting bonds for the purpose of purchasing a site and erecting a much needed school building. "This district meeting, by a unanimous vote, asked the trustees to call a school bond election, and they have followed the instructions of that district meeting. Every man who attended that meeting should help carry the election. But some people want to be Knockers rather than Boosters, and hence some of these very men who asked the trustees to call the election are now opposing the proposition. They say that the trustees are going to purchase an undesirable site. This is not true. The trustees are willing to call another district meeting and let the people select the site. There is absolutely no ground for objections. To defeat the bonds at this time would mean that Anaheim will be without adequate school facilities for another year. "Voters be fair—Do your duty by the children, vote for the bonds. "School bonds?—Yes. "Why?—Necessity. "Average attendance first 3 months last year 454, average attendance the first 3 months this year 503, average attendance last year 448, number of pupils in Central building, 8 rooms 301, number of pupils in Primary building, 4 rooms 163, number of puills in Katella building, 1 room, 28; number pupils in overflow, 2 rooms, 62. "All rooms full. No room for music or drawing. Attendance increase- Walter Ansfeld fell from a load of oranges while driving some days ago at the Sydmer Ross ranch at Placentia and broke his arm. He was taken to the hospital, where his injuries were attended to. Yesterday he had so far recovered as to return to his home. Military drill, calisthenics, tumbling and lectures on health constitute the bulk of the course. Work is hampered by the slow arrival of our equipment, still classwork is advancing. Our grounds are being improved, the track and basket-ball courts being under special care and when completed will be excellent. The track is a six lap to the mile course and a 120-yard straightaway has been furnished. A good crowd was out to see the entertainment given by the Buena Park minstrels on Saturday evening. The highschool boys' glee club and the highschool orchestra entertained the crowd with appropriate selections between acts. The next debate of the Southern California league series for the local highschool will be with Pomona high on or before Jan. 27 here. Questions have been submitted by Anaheim, and the tryouts will be held this week. It is expected that a large crowd of rooters will accompany the debaters to Santa Ana next Friday evening to help bring back the Davis cup. The debate will be on the question. Resolved, That the standing committees of the house of representatives should be elected by the house.Anaheim will be represented by Irene Mills and Syril Tipton. Efforts are being made to get a special train. A large crowd is expected to go. A. A. Mills moved that granted authority to submit to assist him in and that to that commited the duty of confine Mr. Linebarger. The med, and Mr. Stewart and he would report the committee to the chair. A. I. Stewart is eminent for this position, having number of years in the Ward, county assessor eles. There is no manny probably, better quality responsible office. Constable Kellenberger number of runaways due to make matters lively. HEIM GAZET ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1910 STEWART ENDORSED FOR COUNTY ASSESSOR REPUBLICAN MEETING AT ODD FELLOWS' HALL MONDAY NIGHT Representatives from Nearly Every Precinct in Northern Orange County Present—Stalwarts and Lincoln-Roosevelts Get Together—Stewart Unanimously Endorsed for Scott's Vacant Place and Hearty Support Pledged Him Sixty-five republicans, about equally divided between the stalwarts and the Lincoln-Roosevelters, and representing almost every voting precinct in northern Orange county, assembled at Odd Fellows' hall Monday evening in response to a call recently issued by a committee, for the purpose of considering the candidacy of A. I. Stewart of Fullerton for the position of assessor of Orange county, which office was made vacant by the recent death of W. M. Scott. Judge Howard called the meeting to ANAHEIM TEAM DEFEATED Walloped by a Scrub Nine by the Score of 7 to 2 The Spalding baseball team, which was booked for a game with the Anaheim boys last Sunday failed to appear for the reason, it is said that the change in the Santa Fe time-card, which went into effect that day, caused them to miss the train. As a large crowd had assembled at the usual time to witness the game, the fans organized a scrub team, with Ernest Bowen as pitcher, and Billy Fischer behind the bat, and the spectators were treated to a highly interesting game. Bowen was the bright particular star of the occasion. His curves and spit balls were bewildering to the regulars and very few hits were made off his delivery. He was also effective with the stick, securing a home run and a three-bagger, and would have done better if he could have hit the ball oftener. At the end of the sixth inning, with the score 7 to 2 in favor of the scrubs, Captain Lewis called his men off the diamond and refused to play LOCAL LIVE WIRES OF WEEK'S EVENTS TRACKLAYING COMPLETED AT SUGAR FACTORY GROUNDS Steel Men Arrive from East, Ready to Place Structural Material Upon Arrival — Bricklayers Working Upon Boiler House and Machine-shops — Southern Pacific Will Enter the Grounds by Electric Line on Olive Street—Fred Tuffree a Winner A force of mechanics has been engaged during the week upon the machine shop and boiler room of the sugar factory north of the city, and a number of steel men are here from the east to place the initial consignment of steel beams which will arrive this week or next. Foundations for these buildings have been laid, and work is well advanced upon foundations for the main building. Brick work upon the office building is completed, and carpenters are engaged upon the interior. The Sixty-five republicans, about equally divided between the stalwarts and the Lincoln-Roosevelters, and representing almost every voting precinct in northern Orange county, assembled at Odd Fellows' hall Monday evening in response to a call recently issued by a committee, for the purpose of considering the candidacy of A. I. Stewart of Fullerton for the position of assessor of Orange county, which office was made vacant by the recent death of W. M. Scott. Judge Howard stated, in opening the meeting, that the committee had called the republicans together for the purpose of considering this matter because Mr. Stewart was entitled to the appointment, being the second man in the race at the primaries. The northern end of the county, he said, also felt that it was entitled to another representative in the court house, the election of Sheriff Ruddock giving us the only official this end of the county had had in many years. There are three candidates in the field besides Stewart—Deputy Assessor Kelly, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term, Postmaster Edwards of Orange, and George Angle, the present chairman of the board of supervisors, and the judge stated that the committee had received word that the board had already decided to appoint Edwards. Short talks were made by Messrs. Dutton, McComber, Newlen, Mills, Krick, Cailor, Spencer, Hale, Dr. Haskell and others, all heartily endorsing Mr. Stewart and pledging the support of the various precincts. In reply Mr. Stewart said he would not be a candidate for the appointment unless he had the undivided support of the northern end of the county. He carried three supervisorial districts, he said, at the primaries, but was defeated by Santa Ana. Mr. Edwards, he continued, was a reluctant candidate and had previously endorsed him for the position. If endorsed he will circulate petitions in every section of the county and will present endorsements and a delegation when the supervisors meet to make the appointment that will prove to their minds how the republicans in this end of the county stand in the matter. The office will be far from a soft snap he thought, since the adoption of Constitutional Amendment No. 1, which Bowen was the bright particular star of the occasion. His curves and spit balls were bewildering to the regulars and very few hits were made off his delivery. He was also effective with the stick, securing a home run and a three-bagger, and would have done better if he could have hit the ball oftener. At the end of the sixth inning with the score 7 to 2 in favor of the scrubs, Captain Lewis called his men off the diamond and refused to play longer. Next Sunday a good game is promised, the Sierra Madre team having been engaged. That team is said to be one of the high-class amateur aggregations and able to make good even on the Anaheim diamond. WOULD RESTRAIN HUNTERS Lomita Gun Club Would Stop Public From Shooting Birds Fighting to protect its hunting grounds from the public, the Lomita gun club on Saturday secured an injunction from Judge West in the superior court restraining the stockholders of the Sunset Land & Water company in particular and the public in general from hunting at Sunset Beach. The gun club will ask that the injunction order be made to extend to August 25, 1953. The plaintiff in the suit is the Lomita Land & Water company, with Ward Chapman and Hickox & Crenshaw attorneys, and the defendants are the Sunset Land and Water company, J.A . Armitage, John Doe Armitage, W. R. Petty, W. E. Richey, A. J. Coe, John Venson, R. D. Richards, E. A. Sendy, L. A. Pulliam and John Doe Hummel. The complaint sets forth that on August 25, 1903, what is now Sunset Beach and the Lomita preserve was owned by F. E. Robinson. Robinson sold land to the Lomita club, and gave it a fifty-year lease on the remainder for hunting purposes only. In November of that same year the beach site, lying between the preserve and the ocean, was sold to the Sunset company. The complaint states that Armitage and Hummel own a hotel and invite the public to come to Sunset Beach to hunt. Further, it is alleged that the defendants have conspired to destroy the gun club's hunting rights. The beach resort and the land under the control of the defendants is crossed by flying ducks, between the ocean and the ponds and sloughs of the club. Ducks in crossing and along the beach are hunted. A force of mechanics has been engaged during the week upon the machine shop and boiler room of the sugar factory north of the city, and a number of steel men are here from the east to place the initial consignment of steel beams which will arrive this week or next. Foundations for these buildings have been laid, and work is well advanced upon foundations for the main building. Brick work upon the office building is completed, and carpenters are engaged upon the interior. The building will be ready occupancy early in the new year, when the construction headquarters will be moved there. The Santa Fe on Monday completed laying its tracks into the grounds, and the force of graders and track-layers departed. Connecting switches will be laid as soon as the necessary frogs arrive, which will probably be this week. Considerable interest attaches to the plans of the Southern Pacific railroad to build an electric line into the factory grounds by way of Olive street. The railroad now has under consideration the changing of its entire steam system into electric lines, and as its most feasible route to the factory is by way of its present line on Santa Ana street, it is believed the plan of constructing the road north on Olive street will be taken advantage of, and a franchise asked from the city in near future. The Olive-street route leaves the Southern Pacific the most available entrance into the factory ground. Apart from exemption from cost for right of way, it is pointed out that the Santa Fe tracks now interfere with ingress bythe Southern Pacific from other points. A gentleman well posted on the railway situation said yesterday that in his opinion the Southern Pacific would in the near future build its line into the factory grounds by way of Olive street. FOR ELECTRIC RAILROAD Chamber of Commerce Procuring Sigatures to Petitions Asking the Southern Pacific to maintain electric cars between this city and Huntington Beach over the present tracks, and that a line be constructed along Olive street to the sugar factory, the chamber of commerce has in circulation following petition to that company: "To Southern Pacific Railroad Co. and Pacific Electric Railway Co." was a reluctant candidate and had previously endorsed him for the position. If endorsed he will circulate petitions in every section of the county and will present endorsements and a delegation when the supervisors meet to make the appointment that will prove to their minds how the republicans in this end of the county stand in the matter. The office will be far from a soft snap he thought, since the adoption of Constitutional Amendment No. 1, which imposes upon the county assessors the duty of fixing a value on the corporations doing business in their counties. On motion of F. C. Spencer the meeting unanimously endorsed Mr. Stewart for the vacancy and pledged him the support of a united republican party. Dutton of West Anaheim suggested that, inasmuch as the two democratic members of the board of supervisors would probably not present a candidate, a resolution soliciting our democratic representative's support for Mr. Stewart would not be amiss. This suggestion was agreed to without a dissenting voice. A. A. Mills moved that Stewart be granted authority to select a committee to assist him in the campaign and that to that committee be delegated the duty of conferring with Mr. Linebarger. The motion prevailed, and Mr. Stewart announced that he would report the names of the committee to the chairman later. A. I. Stewart is eminently fitted for this position, having spent a number of years in the office of Ben Ward, county assessor of Los Angeles. There is no man in the county, probably, better qualified for the responsible office. Constable Kellenberger reports a number of runaways during the week to make matters lively. The complaint states that Armitage and Hummel own a hotel and invite the public to come to Sunset Beach to hunt. Further, it is alleged that the defendants have conspired to destroy the gun club's hunting rights. The beach resort and the land under the control of the defendants is crossed by flying ducks, between the ocean and the ponds and sloughs of the club. Ducks in crossing and along the beach are hunted. Game is scared away, and the hunting that goes on about the preserve upon the land leased by Robinson to the club for hunting purposes is destroying the hunting for the club. The temporary injunction prohibits the using or carrying of firearms in what is known as Sunset Beach and if the gun club wins the suit the injunction will hold good for every open season for ducks from now until 1953. KNIGHTS ELECT OFFICERS Officials Chosen to Serve During the Coming Year Knights of Pythias on Wednesday evening of last week elected the following officers to serve the ensuing year: V. U. Simpson, chancellor commander; E. E. Angle, vice chancellor, Octave Lagman, prelate; J. O. Aidlor, master of work; Eugene Adams, master of finance; Gerald W. Sandilands, master of exchequer; Edgar J. Hartung, keeper of records and seals; W. L. Amstutz, master of arms; George Eastraud, outer guard; Frank F. Davies, inner guard; H. A. Dickel, trustee for ensuing term. The newly chosen officers will be installed the second meeting night in January. Born, Saturday morning, at 7 o'clock, to the wife of Henry M. Adams, a daughter. Mother and babe doing well. Chamber of Commerce Procuring Signatures to Petitions Asking the Southern Pacific to maintain electric cars between this city and Huntington Beach over the present tracks, and that a line be constructed along Olive street to the sugar factory, the chamber of commerce has in circulation the following petition to that company: "To Southern Pacific Railroad Co. and Pacific Electric Railway Co. — Gentlemen: We, the undersigned, residing along that branch of the Southern Pacific Railway, extending from the city of Anaheim to Huntington Beach, in Orange county, California, respectfully ask that there be electric equipment installed on said branch of railroad, and that daily electric passenger cars be operated over said branch railway line between Anaheim and HuntingtonBeach at such hours as to afford good service between said cities and the intervening points, and that you make application for a franchise to lay tracks and operate electric cars upon the principal streets in the city of Anaheim." Messrs. Mills and Eygabroad have circulated the petition at Huntington Beach and other points and secured many signatures. The petition will be forwarded to the railroad officials immediately. The Southern Pacific company has announced that it would transform its lines in Southern California into electric equipment, and the chamber of commerce seeks to have the company make its initial movement in this vicinity. The fact that the railroad is anxious to build to the sugar factory is taken as a guarantee that it will be doing business here along these lines in the near future. The petition is being generally signed by citizens living along the route between this city and Huntington Beach among city. Fred colors in day, while Pittman point here forth in his signings was woody be made sons. Tuffreland behalf, petition clared by the petition. Tuffreland land at all are setting into place. He may signify him as plaintiff, danger that he care of others. Juan rick, Mills cards—O. C. H. Pletke, Rosenberg Miss Clay PASSING OF A GOOD MAN F. W. Barron Will Be Missed By Many Friends F. W. Barron who died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. F. Chandler, at San Diego, on Wednesday morning of last week, had been for six years a resident of this city, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He was a member of the Loyal Legion, having fought through the civil war. He took an active part in the organization of the 38th Iowa infantry, and was elected first lieutenant in that organization. He was in his 78th year, and lived since early childhood in Iowa, up to six years ago, when he moved with his family to this city. His wife died here a year after his arrival. He enjoyed personal acquaintance with the late Senator Dolliver, Gov. Cummings and other political leaders of Iowa, and took keen interest in public affairs. In politics he was a progressive, and was unusually well informed upon current political events. He was a familiar figure upon our streets, and none knew this gentle-spirited warrior of other days but to hold him in kind- SPITEFUL BURGLARS PULVERIZE CIGARS FAIL TO FIND MONEY, PUT SMOKES OUT OF COMMISSION Front of Cash Drawer Pried Off, Paper Scattered About Floor—Cash Register Unlocked, and Nothing Doing—22 Repeater Rifle Taken—Two Men Take Steel Bit From Blacksmith Shop, Raise Rear Window—Pair Seen at Garden Grove When Ed Schleuter was on his way to the City Market at half-past 5 o'clock on Saturday morning he noticed the rear window of Wallop's grocery had been pried open, the wire screen having been wrenched from its fastenings. Lying upon the ground was a burglar's Jimmy with which the job was done. He entered the market and telephoned Welborn Wallop, who immediately came down to the store. Mr. Wallop discovered a quantity of his papers lying promiscuously upon the floor in NEW HARDWARE FIRM Martenet & Hutchinson Take Over Holbrook Establishment M. W. Martenet and Earl G. Hutchinson, two well-known former business men of Orange, have taken over the Holbrook hardware store on South Los Angeles street, and are now in charge of the business. Mr. Holbrook retires, and will go to Los Angeles to reside. The new proprietors were for a number of years in the employ of the largest establishment at Orange, M. Martenet being in charge of the hardware department, and Mr. Hutchinson occupying a responsible position in the sales room. An inventory of stock is now being taken and the establishment will in a few days receive a large consignment of new goods. The new proprietors are rustlers for business and will doubtless take rank among the foremost business of the city. FRED TUFFREE WINS Declared by Judge West to Be Mentally Competent Fred Tuffree came off with flying colors in the superior court on Monday, when his mother, Mrs. Carolina Pittman, sought to have court appoint her as his guardian. She set forth in her complaint that her son was worth $21,000 and was liable to the City Market at half-past 5 o'clock on Saturday morning he noticed the rear window of Wallop's grocery had been pried open, the wire screen having been wrenched from its fastenings. Lying upon the ground was a burglar's jimmy with which the job was done. He entered the market and telephoned Welborn Wallop, who immediately came down to the store. Mr. Wallop discovered a quantity of his papers lying promiscuously upon the floor in the front of the store, the thieves having examined them by the light of the street lamp while seated upon a display of pumpkins. The front of the cash drawer had been wrenched from its fastenings and lay upon the desk. No money had been left in the drawer, nor in the cash register, which is left open nights. The counter near the snow case was littered with broken elgars. A box of cigars had been emptied upon the counter and each one crumpled. Smaller packages of cigars were similarly treated, and a miscellaneous heap of tobacco lay upon the counter. A 22-calibre repeating rifle was missing from its place in an adjoining counter. An examination of the store revealed that nothing in the line of groceries had been taken. Mr. Wallop is of the belief that the thieves are men who may have a spite against him, and he has a tolerably accurate notion as to their identity. This has been given the city officers, and an arrest is looked for. Mr. Wallop attended the theater at Santa Ana on Friday evening in company of his wife, and returned shortly before midnight. He passed the store at that hour, and looking in saw nothing amiss. It is thought the thieves waited until Officer Kellenberger went to his home at 2 o'clock in the morning before breaking into the store. The steel bit by which entrance was effected was recognized as belonging in Pressel's blacksmith shop. Two strangers, claiming to be blacksmiths, were in the shop on Friday and examined the bit. They later disappeared, and the loss of the implement was not discovered until the following day. Two men answering their description were seen at Garden Grove on Saturday morning. A quantity of small change and a number of checks were left in the store by Mr. Wallop on closing for the night, but these were not found by the thieves, and were not molested. FRED TUFFREE WINS Declared by Judge West to Be Mentally Competent Fred Tuffree came off with flying colors in the superior court on Monday, when his mother, Mrs. Carolina Pittman, sought to have court appoint her as his guardian. She set forth in her complaint that her son was worth $31,000, and was liable to be made the tool of designing persons. Tuffree took the stand in his own behalf, and so successfully did he petition himself that Judge West declared him competent and dismissed the petition of his mother. Tuffree owns forty acres of rich land at Placentia, 24 acres of which are set to young orange trees coming into bearing. He maintains that so far from designing persons taking advantage of him, as set forth in his mother's complaint, that there is absolutely no danger of such an occurrence, and that he is abundantly able to take care of his own property. We have known Fred Tuffree for many years. He shouldered a musket when President McKinley called for troops in the Spanish war, and went with the Seventh regiment to the front. He was not incompetent then, nor do we believe he stands in need of a guardian now. We have always found him a pretty decent sort of an hombre. UNCLAIMED LETTERS Juan Alvitres, Mrs. Fred E. Merrick, Mrs. R. W. Wallace, M. Parris; cards—Frank Hill, Bethal Elliot, Mrs. O. C. Hamilton, Jno. T. Hadly, L. J. Pletke, C. C. Smith, Charlie S.Smith, Rosenberg Bros, Miss Laura Homan, Miss Clara Homan, Oskar Saaristo.