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Timecapsule: November 24, 1899
This item flowed from the pen of some long-forgotten San Francisco Chronicle beat writer, a little piece in which a neighborhood dispute is lovingly detailed.
Butchertown was a tough old San Francisco neighborhood on the edge of today's Bay View district, around the mouth of Islais Creek. It was comprised mostly of German and Irish immigrants -- ballplayer Lefty O'Doul was probably its most famous son -- and it was absolutely packed with slaughterhouses, meat packers and (here's a shocker) butchers.
Without further ado, a dash of local color circa 1899:
Haberdashery Issue Stirs Butchertown
Whether William Beckman and Thomas O'Leary quarreled over a love affair or over collars and neckties is a mooted question.
Beckman is a butcher employed in one of the many abattoirs of South San Francisco. A few months ago he married the former Mrs. O'Leary, and when O'Leary, after a three years absence, returned to town two weeks ago and found that his divorced wife had become Mrs. Beckman, there was trouble in Butchertown. It all resulted in the arrest of O'Leary on a charge of making threats against life, and the case came up yesterday in Police Judge Conlan's Court.
Beckman told of a long knife with which O'Leary threatened to perform an autopsy on (him). There was also a dispute, Beckman said, as to whether the wearing of collars and neckties was proper form in Butchertown.
Charles Butcher, a butcher, who gave his home as Butchertown, was the next witness. He had heard no threats against Beckman's life, but he remembered an incident of last Saturday, when O'Leary visited the slaughter-house where Beckman is employed and invited him to step outside. Butcher had also heard some talk of collars and neckties.
O'Leary took the stand and was asked if he had any longings for his divorced wife.
"You bet not", he replied.
As to the trouble, he said, it was all about collars and neckties. O'Leary does not wear those evidences of effete civilization. According to his story, Beckman had said to his acquaintances: "I don't like the style of O'Leary and I'm going to make him a present of a collar and a necktie." When O'Leary heard this, he went to Beckman and threatened to break the Beckman jaw if it was used in the utterance of further comments reflecting on the O'Leary disregard for things esthetic.
The former husband of Mrs. O'Leary admitted that he had trouble with her at Sixth and Howard streets about a week ago.
"Didn't she break an umbrella over your head?" asked Attorney Arthur Mack.
"No, she didn't." answered O'Leary, "but she hit me once; just slapped me on the wrist."
O'Leary denied having any desire to slay Beckman. All he wanted was the privilege of wearing soft shirts without neckties. Following this declaration he was instructed as to his constitutional rights and the case was dismissed.
San Francisco Chronicle -- November 24, 1899
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I love it!! Collars and neckties and the butcher named Butcher who lived in Butchertown. And what a vocabulary newspaper readers were expected to have!
This is a great feature.. keep 'em coming.
...admitted that he had trouble with her at Sixth and Howard streets about a week ago.
I always have trouble with my girls @ 6th and Howard!
Again, I really love this feature. Keep it up!
..Sparkletack's been around for some time, guys. Search for it or listen to the podcasts!