Jacob J. GOTTLOB

San Francisco Call, 28 March 1901, p 12

BARS KEEP HER FROM WEDDING

Clara McCann Is held in Prison Until Gottlob Is Married

Miss Clara McCann languished in the “tanks” at the Hall of Justice yesterday afternoon while the wedding bells were ringing for Jacob J. Gottlob, one of the managers of the Columbia Theater, at the home of his bride, 2219 California street. The woman who claims to have had the manager's affections in the past craved a parting interview, but she was arrested as she left the proposed trysting place on Tuesday evening and placed where she could not mar the brightness of the festivities that were to occur on the morrow.

Miss McCann states that she was the companion of Gottlob for nearly sixteen years. About a year and a half ago the two separated, she says. The woman, hearing of the manager's engagement to Miss Dannenbaum, wrote him a note on Monday, telling of her poverty-stricken condition and of her wounded feelings. Portions of the missive are as follows:

…. My poor, poor mother! How I wish she was alive. Were she living I would not be turned out in the streets for room rent and go to bed hungry, which has happened more than once this winter. It pains me even to tell you. I passed you on Montgomery street with Marx on morning early in January. I was drenched and hungry. I had not supper the night before and nothing to eat when you met me, nor a nickel for carfare……. Oh Jake, for me, poor Clara, to pass you in the street in such a plight. Only a block to where all our happy days were passed together. I mean the old Bush-street Theater. God is love, kindness and infinite mercy. Be charitable, considerate of me. I am alone and so sorrowful I can hardly write for the big scalding tears are blinding me….. Please give me some little time-an hour-to speak with you. Advise me as a friend. Start me a new lie in the new century. Let your wedding day end all my sorrow and be the beginning o a new life to me. Don't leave me forever without speaking to me and wishing me well. Don't' rob me o the memory of my happy days with you by refusing to wish me well and parting as good friends.

On Tuesday Miss McCann met Harry Lask, a notary public, and urged him to bring Gottlob to her. She said she wanted no money and would make no demands. A meeting was arranged in the evening in a Powell-street café, and when Lask and the woman stepped from a side entrance Police Officer Sylvester, in citizen's clothes, was on hand and arrested her on the order of Captain Wittman. She was kept in the tanks all night and charge yesterday with vagrancy. Her attorney says he will fight the case and subpena prominent witnesses. This statement may cause some well known citizens to feel uneasy.

Miss McCann was accused last November for attempted extortion of money from C.W. Smith of the Redington Drug Company, but the warrant was never served on her.

Miss McCann accused Captain Wittman of assisting Gottlob in ridding himself of her and says that last November she was sent to the policeman's office to receive money. At that place a brother of the manager gave her $35, and Wittman threatened her with arrest should she cause any further annoyance.

San Francisco Call, 5 Apr 1901, p. 12

VOW SHE WILL KILL GOTTLOB

Clara McCann’s Threats of Vengeance in a Letter

Jury Will Hear Vagrancy Charge Against Her and Charge of Attempted Extortion Is Dismissed.

The case of Clara McCann, charged with attempting to extort money, was dismissed by Judge Cabaniss yesterday on motion of the attorney for the defendant on the ground that the complaint issued last November is defective. At the same time it was intimated that the complaining witness in that case would not prosecute. 

The charge of vagrancy against Miss McCann was again call in Judge Mogan’s court yesterday. She was arrested on complaint of Jacob J. Gottlob of the Columbia Theater, but as he has left the city on his honeymoon trip and will be absent for some months there was a disposition at first on the part of the prosecution to drop the case. Her attorney insisted yesterday upon it being set for trial by a jury. He said he would be satisfied with five jurors. The Judge continued the case till next Thursday for trial and issued a venire for fifty trial jurors.

Yesterday morning a brother of Mrs. Gottlob called upon Chief Sullivan and showed him a letter which his mother, Mrs. Dannenbaum, 2219 California street, had received from Miss McCann. In this letter Miss McCann reviled Gottlob and said that although he was married she would follow him to the end of the earth. She also threatened to kill him. She claimed he had ruined her life and she had no money to support herself or her mother.

The Chief sent Dannenbaum with Policeman Sylvester to the warrant and bond clerk’s office to get a warrant charging the McCann woman with extortion, but after reading the letter Clerk Fitzpatrick said there was nothing in it that would justify such a charge.