Ever wonder who lived in your apartment 100 years ago, and what they were like?
Thanks to records from the San Francisco Call, a newspaper of the time, we've dug up a little insight into the activities of residents along our corridor way back in 1913, from a troubled singer to an unhappy marriage to a suicidal man having second thoughts.
Beauty And Voice Gone, Singer Dies (February 22nd, 1913)
Because her beauty had been accidentally marred and her once exquisite voice had lost its power to charm, Lotus Moore, one time Tlvoll favorite and more recently an entertainer In a downtown cafe, ended her life by drinking poison early yesterday at 1149 Divisadero street in her room.
Since the death of her husband, Millar Bacon, who dropped dead on Fillmore street two years ago, Mrs. Baron, assuming her maiden name of Moore, worked as an entertainer in cafes and recently filled a vaudeville engagement in Sacramento.
Several weeks ago while administering aid to her 4 year old child, her face was severely burned by a preparation she was heating. Although assured by her physician that the burns would leave no permanent scar, Miss Moore feared otherwise. Worry over the destruction of her beauty and the fact that her voice was failing her caused her to take her life.At 2 o'clock Miss Moore left a party of friends in a downtown cafe saying , she was tired and in need of rest. A few hours later George W. Walbridge, a roomer in the house where Miss Moore lived, heard groans coming from the latter's apartment and entering found Miss Moore in a dying condition. She died before medical assistance could be at the central emergency hospital.
Woman Is Made Example: Plying Trade Amongst Residences, She Gets Ten Days (August 26th, 1913)
"I must make an example out of this woman," declared Police Judge Shortall yesterday in sentencing Ruby Osborn to 10 days in the county jail. "She was warned by me to keep out of the residential district." Policeman J.M. Fitzgerald testified that the Osborn woman approached him near the O'Farrell street police station while he was in plain clothes and took him to a flat at 1413 Divisadero Street.
Water Was Too Cold (October 10th, 1913)
Fred Guerrero, tailor, had nothing to live for, but the water was too cold. He jumped overboard last night from the ferry boat Sausalito while his wife and small son looked on. He swam until members of the crew rescued him. He was taken to his home at 807 Divisadero Street, a chilled but more cheerful man.
Doctor And Wife In Divorce Race: Both File Suit on Same Day; She Alleges Drink, He Alleges Kisses (November 5th, 1913)
A race for divorce by Dr. Charles R. Baker and his wife, Mrs. Domina Tormich Baker, resulted today In a slight advantage for the physician over his spouse, when his action took precedence on the court calendar and, under the law, should be heard first. Dr. Baker, who lives at 822 Divisadero street, charges that his wife hugged and kissed Mark Lorrens, alias "Fat." He adds that his wife conspired with Lorrens so that he Should he sent to an institution for treatment for intemperance. Mrs. Baker's complaint avers that the physician was extremely cruel and habitually intemperate. She says her husband's income is $350 a month; that he owns property in Richmond and 2,000 acres of land in Mexico. Each plaintiff asks for the custody of their minor child.
Union Agent Injured As Horse Runs Away (December 12th, 1913)
C.C. Campbell of 436 Page Street, business agent of a union, is today in the central emergency hospital with a possible fracture of a skull. With Hank Kane of 508 Divisadero Street, also a union agent, he was injured when their horse ran away and their buggy hit a pole at Mission and Twelfth Streets.
Though interpersonal drama, vehicle wrecks and quirky characters are still part of life on Divisadero, here's hoping local residents are a little happier and healthier than their predecessors.
