Preserving History: Buildings Demolished, Moved and Landmarked

Verdict against Grant

 

After the jury had been out an hour yesterday afternoon sifting the evidence against William P. Grant, charged with violating an ordinance prohibiting the cutting of telephone wires, a verdict was rendered finding him guilty. Two days had been consumed in securing the jury, so bitter is the contest between Grant and the telephone company, the complainant against Grant.

Grant’s offense consisted in cutting a telephone trunk line at Shattuck Avenue and Haste Street to make room for a house he was moving. He claimed he had given the company twenty-four hours notice, but the corporation said it was only six hours.

--Berkeley Daily Gazette, August 13, 1903