Sam Thornally (1885-1938) My Granduncle on My Mother’s Side

Sam from a 1926 news article

Samuel Thornally was the youngest son of William Gilliat Thornally and Mary McGowan. He had three older brothers – Will Jr., Harry Melville, and John Roger, my grandfather. He also had an older sister Charlotte who died when Sam was thirteen and a younger sister, Rose Mary who outlived all her sibling by many years. You can find posts about each of Sam’s siblings on this blog.

Sam was born on October 18, 1885, in Fruit Vale – now part of the city of Oakland. Since his Irish mother was raised as a Catholic Sam was baptized on July 31, 1886, at St. Anthony’s Church on 16^th Avenue in the Fruit Vale neighborhood. According to Sam’s grandson, Randy Thornally, “Mary was not a practicing Catholic here in California per an arrangement with her husband, William Sr. …. William’s mother Mary Gilliat is probably descended from French Huguenots…. The Huguenots in France were never happy with the Catholics. The English were not particularly happy with the Catholics either, and finally split the English Catholic Church apart.” Randy continues, “My father Edwin Thornally thought his father Samuel was probably “sneaked” out of the house and baptized as “insurance.”

When Sam was fourteen he appeared on the 1900 census. At that time his family was living at 288 Bray Avenue in Fruit Vale which was considered part of the Brooklyn Township. Sam and his sister “Rosie” were attending school and all three of his older brothers aged 17, 21 and 24 were working. John as a painter and Will and Harry were carpenters, as was their father William Sr.

When Sam was seventeen his brother Harry married Blanche Wimble on June 16, 1903. Four months later his brother Will married Agnus Damm on October 29, 1903. In the 1904 City of Oakland directory, Sam was listed as a Seaman in the United States Navy. He was nineteen years old. While in the Navy Sam spent time in the Philippines and other countries in the Far East. Randy has vague recollections of having seen souvenirs that Sam brought home after his time in the Navy – some of which were destroyed during the 1991 Oakland firestorm. Sam was not listed in the 1905 directory which suggests he was still serving in the navy at that time, but he did appear again in 1906. Sam’s profession was listed as a carpenter in the 1907, 1908, 1910 and 1911 city directories. It is possible he was working with his brother Will who had established his business as a building contractor in 1905.

Sam standing at the left with a few of his Navy
 friends, circa 1904

When the census was taken in April of 1910 the family had moved to 1707 Fruitvale Avenue. Only Sam 23 and Rose 21 were still living at home. Sam was working as a carpenter and Rose was a stenographer for the Southern Pacific Railroad.

On June 29, 1911, Sam was appointed as a substitute patrolman in the Oakland police department. He was 25 at the time. On January 6, 1913, an article in the San Francisco Chronical reported that Sam was working as a motorcycle cop and he and his fellow officers had nabbed 27 speeders. Sam continued to serve on the Oakland police force until he was injured and had to leave the force in 1922. The injury was a burn to his eye with iodine that impaired his vision so much that they determined he could no longer do his job properly. During his time as an officer reports of Sam’s pursuits and arrests were written about and published in the Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Call and San Francisco Chronical newspapers. The post that follows this one recounts some of the cases that Officer Thornally was engaged in during his time with the Oakland Police Department.

Like his older brothers, Sam was involved in a variety of civic affairs. The earliest newspaper article I found that mentioned Sam was a story about his having attended a memorial service for members of the Native Sons of the Golden West. This was on November 7, 1910. The event took place at the Unitarian Church in downtown Oakland. On Feb. 17, 1911, Sam was again mentioned in a San Francisco Call article when the Fruitvale chapter of the Native Sons challenged the Piedmont chapter in some sort of competition.

Sam and Arjetta

Sam’s mother Mary Thornally died in January of 1912 when he was 26.  Later that same year Sam married Marie Arjetta Land on September 5^th. They were married at St. Elizabeth’s church in their Fruitvale neighborhood. Arjetta (1889-1934) was the daughter of Jennie Lee Land (1871-1946) and an unknown biological father. She was the granddaughter of Thomas Rease Land (1828-1891) and Jane "Jennie" Diana Carlton (1841-1877). 

Sam and Arjetta had six children. The first Samuel McGowan Thornally Jr. only survived three months but the other five lived full lives. They were Marie Arjetta (1915-1994) nicknamed Jerry, Margaret Cecilia (1918-1983), Edwin Joseph “Ed” (1921-2001), Vivian “Dee” (1923-2004), and Leland Francis “Lee” (1926-2008). All were born in Oakland, California.

Arjetta with Samuel Thornally Jr.

In 1913, the family was living at 1607 45^th Avenue. They were still at that address when Sam registered for the draft for World War I on September 12, 1918. Sam was 33 years old and described as having a medium build, medium height with blue eyes and light brown hair.

Like his brothers and sister Rose Sam owned one of the single-family homes that his brother Will Jr. built for each of the family members within the Thornally Tract. That was located on Redwood now 35^th Avenue on both sides of Bray Street aka Elm or East 17^th Street. I have not found any record proving that Sam ever lived in the home.

Sam's home in the Thornally tract

When the 1920 census was taken the family had moved back to 51^st Avenue but were now living in a home they owned at 1426. On the census, the household included Sam, his wife Marie, two daughters, Marie and Margaret and Sam’s mother-in-law Jennie Lee Land. Sam was identified as an Oakland policeman on that census.

Around 1923, after Sam was put on permanent disability from the Oakland Police Department he bought a bar and confectionary shop located in downtown Niles. My mother Lottie Pattillo recalled driving to Niles with her parents and having to wait in the car with her mother while her father John visited with Sam inside the bar. She enjoyed the drive but not the waiting. Sam and his business partner Cort Goeesel bought “The Classic” restaurant from Mrs. Etta M. Young in 1926. The news clip with this story says that Sam had been living in Niles, had moved back to Oakland but planned to return to Niles to run the restaurant. The article noted that the restaurant was being remodeled and would open the following week at the end of June. 1926 was ten years after Charlie Chaplin stopped making silent films in Niles.

Thornally home on 51st Avenue

Sam continued to operate the shop during prohibition that was in force from 1920-1933. Apparently, the bar was upstairs so out of sight. Sam had a friend Delphine Pesa who worked for the phone company. She could listen in to the police calls and would call and warn Sam whenever a police raid was about to take place. That is how he avoided being arrested for selling alcohol illegally. Around this time Sam and Marie were separated and Sam started dating Delphine but when Marie became pregnant with their youngest child Lee, Sam moved back in with Marie. Unfortunately, the marriage did not work out and ultimately they divorced.

An article published in the Oakland Tribune on May 5, 1926, reported, “Split on Religion. Sam Thornally told his wife she was a detriment to him because of her religion and declared he would break her will in that regard if it took 100 years, Mrs. Marie A. Thornally, 1426 51^st Avenue alleges in a suit for divorce.”

Arjetta, Sam and Marie

Sam was still listed in the Oakland directory in 1924 but in 1926 he moved to Niles and lived there until about 1929 when he returned to Fruitvale. A news headline tells us, “Sam’s back in town again and has joined the sales staff of the F.H. Dailey Motor Co., Eastlake Ford dealers. For several years past he has been in business at Niles but is back again in his old stomping ground, Fruitvale where he was born and spent his childhood days.” The story went on, “Sam has always been prominent in Fruitvale parlor Native Sons and was the first member elected to the office of marshal in that order. During one of those memorable Admission Day Celebrations in San Francisco, Sam led the boys’ band of St. Elizabeth’s church in the parade. The tallest boy in the band measured 31 inches and the trombone player was so small Sam had to carry him on his shoulders. And Sam and the band won first prize in the parade. Them were the happy days.” The F.H. Dailey Motor Company was founded in 1910 in Oakland and later opened a branch in San Leandro. F.H. Dailey still exists in 2018.

Thornally home at 1607 45th Avenue ca. 1913

Sometime before 1938 Sam moved his family to 3115 Kingsland Avenue in the Maxwell Park neighborhood near Mills College. This was a relatively new development that had begun construction in 1921. Sam was living in this home at the time of his death on March 4, 1938. He had a heart attack while driving the car with his family. His son Ed told me the story that he was in the back seat when it happened and Ed had to climb into the front seat to step on the brake and stop the car. Ed would have been 17 at the time.

Three of Sam's daughters plus a niece and granddaughter.
Marie, Lottie Pattillo, Vivian, Margaret, and Joey McKay

Sam married Delphine around 1929 and it is she that he is buried with at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. Their grave is near the caretakers shop very close to his brothers John and Will and their wives.

Family picnic - Standing L-R: Bert Pattillo, unknown woman, Ed & Lottie
Pattillo, Ricky Risoli (?), Dell Pesa, Sam, and Unknown man. Seated L-R:
John & Emma Thornally, Anna Pattillo, two unknown women.

Sam with Vivian and Lee

Samuel Thornally Part 2 – His Time As An Oakland Police Officer

Sam in his Oakland Police uniform

The following stories were found in newspaper archives. For some I have retold the entire story;

others are summaries of what was reported in the Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Call and the San Francisco Chronical newspapers.

KIND POLICEMAN MINUS PRISONER, December 19, 1911, San Francisco Call

Suspect Makes Dash After He Persuades Guard to Take Off Handcuffs

Persuading his custodian, Special Policeman Sam Thornally, to remove his handcuffs, William Wright, a pickpocket suspect, succeeded in making his escape this afternoon. Wright had been given permission to go to San Francisco under guard to obtain $2.50 bail for his release. Thornally, acting- as a Patrolman, was sent with Wright on the trip across the bay, and, having 'been warned that Wright would probably make an attempt to escape, kept his prisoner carefully guarded. Thornally and his prisoner entered the saloon of C. de Julio, 501 Broadway, where Wright said he could get the money. He persuaded Thornally to remove the handcuffs while he went into a room. Coming out. Wright dashed by Thornally and into the street. Thornally was foiled in giving chase and Wright had little difficulty in getting away.

FUGITIVE CAUGHT AFTER LONG CHASE William Wright, Who Escaped From Patrolman by Ruse, Again in Cell, January 7, 1912, Oakland Tribune

William Wright, alias Willie Holmes, the alleged pickpocket who escaped from Patrolman Thornally in San Francisco by a bold ruse December 17^th, was recaptured across the bay yesterday, and has been returned to custody in the Oakland city prison. Policeman Thornally aided in trailing the fugitive and in his recapture.

Wright was allowed to go to San Francisco under guard to obtain bail from friends in that city, and Patrolman Thornally was sent to guard the prisoner. Wright was charged with vagrancy, the charge being sworn to as the police were unable to obtain sufficient evidence to hold him on a larceny charge.

Declaring that he did not wish to appear at the place of business of his friend manacled to the officer, Wright succeeded in persuading Policeman Thornally to remove the handcuffs. In the crowed entrance to a store he suddenly hurled the policeman out of his way and made his escape in the crowd.

Short notice from one of the local newspapers

 MISSING BOY MAY BE DEAD, September 13, 1912, Oakland Tribune

Sam and Captain Thornwall Brown searched in San Leandro, Hayward and San Lorenzo for 14 year old Dana Cronin. Mrs. Paul Bago suspected that her foster son had been buried in a sewer trench being constructed by the Spring Construction Company.

OWNER OF SCOW FOUND DEAD IN ESTUARY SLIME

Captain Thomas H. Stuart of San Rafael Apparently Murdered for Money

Wounds in Temple Made by Sharp Instrument About a Week Ago OAKLAND, September 22, 1912, San Francisco Call

The body of Captain Thomas M. Steuart of San Rafael, proprietor of the scow Redwood, was found today in the mud of the estuary, off the foot of Jones Avenue, under circumstances that point to murder. The police are attempting to ascertain whether three wounds over the right temple caused the man's death. Over the temple was found an abrasion and two small holes, made apparently by a sharp instrument. According to Dr. Mark X. Miner, made an examination of the body, the wounds were sufficient to cause death.

The body had been in the water almost a week, according to Deputy Coroner C. N. Cooper of the G. W. Murphy undertaking establishment, at 9032 East Fourteenth street, where the remains were taken. The body is badly decomposed, but was identified by J. W. Pickrell of 695 Jones Avenue, who knew Stuart for years. Pickrell last saw Captain Stuart about two weeks ago, when he helped to unload a cargo of sand that Stuart brought from San Rafael. According to John Cozad, a contractor living at 3 Bay View, San Rafael, for whom Stuart often took cargoes of sand, the last trip was made September 14. It is not known when he arrived here. Disorder in Scow Cabin About $11 was found in the pockets of the dead man, but his cabin on the scow was in disorder, leading to the theory that it had been rifled. Papers were scattered about and a hatchet was found that looked to Cooper as though it had been stained with blood. Captain Stuart was known to have money aboard the scow, sometimes several hundred dollars, and according to Pickrell, did not hesitate about exhibiting his money when in saloons. A search of the cabin failed to reveal traces of blood on the floor or walls, although such stains might have been obliterated. The hatchet is in the possession of the police, who will analyze the matter clinging to it to ascertain if it is human blood.

Historic photo of the Oakland estuary in 1919. Google image

Dead Man's Life Lonely

Captain Stuart lived a lonely life. When at this end of his trip he remained in the scow in the shallow

waters of the estuary. He mingled little with Alameda people and Pickrell thinks few other men assisted Stuart in unloading the scow here. His family life had been broken up through differences with his wife and he made his headquarters in San Rafael at a hotel. He lived formerly at 1815 Thirty fourth Avenue, but moved last spring. He has a wife and two sons, Edward and Charles, who live on a ranch at Santa Rosa, and his daughter, Miss Katherine Stuart, is an employee of Samuels' lace house, San Francisco.

Speaker Hangs Up Receiver When Asked to Tell Name to Coroner

Owing to Captain Stuart's mode of life much mystery surrounds the case. There is an unknown angle to the finding of the body, as a mysterious man who refused to reveal his identity, gave the first Information concerning it at a late hour last night.

Mysterious Phone Message

This man called Cooper on the telephone and said a body was floating in the estuary near the foot of Jones Avenue. When asked his name he hung up the receiver. The matter was postponed until daylight, when Cooper and Patrolman Thornally of the Melrose station found the body face down in the mud in almost the exact location given by the mysterious stranger. They waded out and dragged it ashore and then obtained a boat and made their way to the scow.

The scow this news story writes about probably looked
similar to this scow. Photo found on Google.

They made a minute search of the scow, finding the hatchet and many papers. Among the latter was a notebook containing the addresses of several women in Alameda, with their telephone numbers affixed in systematic order. Cooper says he called up these women and each denied any knowledge of the dead man.

Lodge Papers Found

Stuart was a member of San Rafael lodge No. 256, Benevolent and Protective Order of Eagles, and had a number of receipts signed by Secretary Charles Redding. The last was dated July 25.

He was insured in the Union Mutual Life Insurance company and had a receipt for dues to the company, signed by Cashier Helen Kuhl. The amount of j the policy and the beneficiary are not known. Besides these were a number of personal letters addressed to San Rafael and to his former local address, as well as several cards of business houses in San Rafael. He made regular trips with sand for John Cozard, and Cozard says that the last was made September 14. He was acquainted with John Kerrigan, a saloon man at 309 Fourth Street, San Rafael, and from him facts were obtained concerning Stuart's family.

Slight Heart Trouble

Stuart was between 50 and 55 years of age, but apparently in perfect in health, except for a slight trouble with his heart, which he spoke of some time I ago to Mrs. Pickrell while visiting her j home. At that time he laughingly said: "I presume this old heart of mine will stop suddenly some time and I'll die on the scow." The theory of natural death is not entertained by the police, for Doctor Miner said: "I found an abrasion and two deep wounds over the left temple, which in my opinion would have been sufficient, to cause Captain Stuart's death.'' These wounds, the police believe, could not have been self-inflicted, and there is no elevation on the scow from which he could have fallen. The case has been placed in the hands of the department of criminal investigation, and Inspector Thomas Wood is endeavoring to clear up the mystery. 

Watercolor painting of the Oakland estuary done in 1912 by
Christian Jorgensen. From Google

STEUART MURDER VICTIM? Police Believe Captain Was Slain Despite Adverse Decision of Coroner, Deckhouse in State of Disorder, Robbery May Have Been Motive, September 23, 1912, Oakland Tribune

Acting Inspector, Samuel Thornally testified before the jury that the dead man’s clothes were strewn about and his pockets turned out. The police also found a lot of blood on the scene but the Coroner ruled an accidental death based on the deceased daughter’s testimony that her father suffered from heart disease. The Coroner determined that Steuart suffered a heart attack, fell into San Leandro Bay and drowned.

DISAPPEARANCE IS PUZZLING POLICE No Trace Discovered of Missing Fruitvale Plant Expert, 25 September 1912, Oakland Tribune

The disappearance of Frank Finch, a plant expert and salesman who dropped from sight last Saturday under circumstances that led the authorities to believe that he may have met with foul play, is still puzzling the police. Acting Inspector Samuel Thornally has been detailed on the case by Captain of Police Thornald Brown and every effort will be made to get some trace of the missing man.

Mrs Finch at her home, 1755 Thirty-sixth Avenue, is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The has two small children to care for. At the time her husband dropped from sight he had a large sum of money with him which he intended paying as a deposit on a real estate transaction to B. Magnesson, 1642 Ninety-sixth Avenue, Elmhurst. No trace can be found of the man after he left Magnessen, about an hour after leaving his home, saying he would be back in a short while to close up the deal for several lots in that neighborhood.

The theory is that Finch was robbed and murdered or drugged and is unable to communicate with his family. Finch arrived in Fruitvale three weeks ago from Oregon with the intention of settling here.

MAN SHOOTS WIFE AND THEN HIMSELF

Husband Objects to Woman Going to Brother's Home for Dinner

Special Dispatch to The Call OAKLAND, October 6, 1912

Mrs. Alice Silva insisted upon going to her brother's home for dinner today, even after her husband, Alfonso, displayed a revolver and informed her that unless she remained with him he would shoot her. Both are at the receiving hospital suffering from wounds that may prove fatal. After shooting his wife through the left lung, Silva sent a bullet into his own breast and another into his skull. The shooting occurred shortly after noon at their home, 9910 Walnut Street in Elmhurst.

Silva is a dairyman. 26 years old, and his wife is 25. Miss Marian Linds, who lives at the Silva home, was a witness to the shooting. When she attempted to dissuade Silva he said: "You get out or I'll kill you, too." Miss Linds remained quiet and saw Silva shoot his wife and then himself. Then she ran from the house screaming for aid. Patrolmen Nedderman, Sherry and Thornally rushed the couple to the receiving hospital, where Doctor Irwin and Steward-Piatt gave them medical attention.

According to Charles Silva, brother of the wounded man, the latter's wife repeatedly brandished razor at her husband and threatened to cut his throat. "For the last six months," said the injured man on the operating table, "the, wife has been cranky. She goes out frequently and visits her brother, Malcom Perry of 1800 Eighty-first Avenue. She doesn't want to stay with me. Today when she said she was going to her brother's home for dinner I told her that unless she remained at home and got dinner for me I would shoot her. She wouldn't listen to me, and I shot her and then myself." "My husband must have been Insane," said Mrs. Silva. Although their condition is serious. Doctor Irwin holds out hope for the "recovery of both.”

After Routing Husband, She Gives Officers Hard Battle Before Submitting to Arrest.

Oakland December 12, 1912

Mrs. Nellie Myers (weight 90 pounds, height five feet) gave battle to three husky policemen and her husband, Harry Meyers before she was subdued and placed under arrest. She will be held pending an examination as to her sanity.

The Meyers quarreled and Mrs. Meyers had no trouble in besting Meyers, who hurried to a telephone and called upon the Melrose police station for aid. Sergeant William Brackett and Patrolmen Thornally and Degelman went to the scene.

Mrs. Meyers refused to submit and another battle royal was begun, in which Mrs. Meyers finally was subdued. She denies that she is insane and says the trouble started because her husband had not kissed her for nine years. 

Southern Pacific Railroad Station at Fruitvale. Old
Montgomery Wards building in the background. From Google

TWO BOYS ROBBING SAFE

Police Detect Fads Fruitvale Railway Station OAKLAND, December 31, 1912

Patrolman Thornally and Special Officer Mason saw Fred Sheffield, I5 years old, and Maynard Cox, 17 years, at work at 2 o'clock this morning in the Fruitvale station of the Southern Pacific company, attempting to rob the safe. They had secured entrance by prying open a window with a jimmy. The youths were covered with revolvers and ordered to throw up their hands by Thornally and Mason. They started to run and Thornally fired a shot over their heads, stopping them. They were booked on charges of burglary.

PHONES BEFORE TRYING TO END LIFE; IS SAVED

Patrolman Finds A. H. Agard Lying in Bed With Gas Turned on and Drags Him Into Street

OAKLAND, May 9, 1913

A. H. Agard. 1315 Thirty-ninth Avenue, a searcher of records for many years, called up his brother, W. A. T. Agard of 2022 Woolsey Street. Berkeley, at 2 o'clock this morning to tell him goodbye before committing suicide. Agard, said that he had tired of life and had decided to end all. Agard's brother immediately notified the police, and Patrolman Thornally of the Melrose station hastened to the Agard home to find Agard lying in bed I with the gas turned on and the cracks and keyholes stuffed with rags. Thornally dragged Agard into the street and revived him. Agard's wife said, I recently left him because of family differences. She is now living with her parents at 1503 Fremont Street.

Sam's signature from his WWI registration form