The New York herald., 1875-12-12
A Clerk Lured Into u Room
with S3,7OO.
MURDER PREVENTED,
A Fragmentary Story in Melancholy
Memoranda.
LFrom lhe Alta calltOrnlan, De-. II

of assault TO commit murder yesterday 10 room at
the Palace Hotel From the entries in memorandum
book found upon him Il supposed that disappoint-
mcnt IN procuring employment and the distress OF
poverty drove him the preparation OF crime with
view to raise money his age and appearance not tai
lying with the theory Of his being an experienced
offender. he is unknown to the polce is il known
where he from. HIS diary runs back six weeks
more, and few extracts will TO show the gen
eral tenor OF the pitiful record
DESIRABLE
Under date OF November % he says:-''Would 10
God that were dcad-that had died when an infant
IN my mothers There a new ray Of hope but
dim and uncertain to be scarcely discernlble
Must do such thing so to get money 70 take me
home to die? Necessity knows no law 4 Next fol-
lows rather incoherent entry going TO Oakland
and his arrival at the Palace Hotel
That was on the 2sth ofNoyember He takes a BATH
has dinner and is assigned 500 fourth neor
and speaks about meeting ''the devn for tomorrows
work Is it possible have got SO low when have
tried so hard to prevent itY"
On tho 29th the entry ;-"Slept but little all
night and feel haggard and have pain in my head
Met this pardon the sur the trbe) and
he was so disagreeabe / left him with but few
words. Cannot raise the coin to-day, and again
floating to Hades suppose. When these weary bones
are laid at rest-wI it be rest viii the soul be tor
Der of reading when but child the story Of
soldier who died the army, and his last words come
back so distinctly Jesus, Thou whose last act
to take sinner unto Theer"
MONEY, OR PERISH
November 80 the entry is:-''The last day OF No
vember and am penriless. To-day has been dreary
rainy day. Fixed upon to for the sacrifice
We know not what day may bring forth. If die
tomorrow it Will likely be by my own hand. sui
cidel What have done that deserve such punish
ment7n
December ~ tried hard 70 get some money but
it can't be did. Would TO God l dead. II had
only enough 10 carry me home, that might die-de
beside my mother. ohi when will this endS am
going to either get some money take me home or
else perish by my own hand, and dle Yes, die, and
go to Hades suppose But If everything sifted
would not be to blame, don't think"
The entries December are still moro desponding:-
'I guess have done it now, and II don't succeed
why III send bullet through my heart and end this
miserable existence God knows would rather have
gone 70 work II ] could have got IT. NV last
hope Of an honest livelihood is gone. Home, sweet
home, Will l ever see you againf Wrote TO mother
to-day, received letter from yesterday. think
will take dose and end my existence.
MADNESS AND SUICIDE.
An unfinished letter. dated at the Palace Hotel No
vember 30. supposed to be intended for his mother
hints better happier days. speaks losing every
thing through the dishonesty Of stock gamblers the
impossbility Of getting employment, brake
man on the railroad Of trying TO force loan from
Of failure OF being in San Francisco under assumed
name and hundred other things, showing state Of
mind wandering and desperate Following is a copy
"PA1AcE HOTEL, SAN Francisco Nov 30 1873
"MY DEAR MoTHER-I have not heard from you for
nearly two weeks, and tonight is rainy and my
thoughts wander back home, and / can imagine /
you all sitting around the stove chatting galy and
occasionally speaking 81 the 'wanderer-when viii he
be homer l cannot tell for fortune does smile on
1t has done in days gone by. have lost every
thing have or had through the dishonesty Of Lason
and some stock gamblers.
YES l am a beggar without a dime 70 my name and
half imagine am going mad ] cannot think Of any
thing have done in my younger days that | should
merit such punishment II you were not living should
end my life tonight for life has become living
hell ri could only get employment would feel bet
ter but no. IL is impossible have tried and tried in
vain tried TO get the position OF brakeman some
freight train but not that; and II to
should attempt 10 force loan from OF mser
and should not succeed and should end my own life
why, II would be because am partially bereft Of my
But II should succeed I'll return the prnci-
pal with interest," in time, and III see you and Adde
once more
could not stand 70 associate with persons who had not
the least spark OF deconcy left, and although have
been somewhat wayward, have stil got q
came across Robert Buchanans latest poem It struck
rather strange and cut II from the evening paper
Was of that yEtlc birth IL be So for when
babe came very dying once from an over
dose of laudanum, and also from a sucking my
breath You must at that time have asked or prayed
for the same the mother In the poem Mother
will We meet IN heavenY Pity your poor boy Tor ere
this reaches you ne may be dead Is il possible that
bedside No mother 70 imprint last farewell kiss
my dying lips No one y forgive ere l slowly pass
wepL unhoDored and unknown Yes am without
money and without work and cannot got IL
Torn from home, IN weary,
Wandering meath the Ky - dreary
Darkiy dawns for the morrow
Coldly, now, the stars look down;
'GsnlPs I'm Beneath sr III Misiorssines li irSwn
No mothers soft hand 10 bless me
NJ fond kiss at close Of day,
No mother me
Homeless helpless, now stray
A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION.
The illusions efforts 70 money are supposed
10 be explained BY papers found upon HIM, being
sondenco with brokers and bankers IN this city on
the Let Of December supposed to have addressed
note to Michael Reese, Of which the following s a
abEAR SIR am in need Of money. want to ne.
gotiate loan from you some valuable real estate,
and II you call At the Hotel this evening or after
olhce hours, ! would be happy meet YOU
TO this Mr. Reese replies according % the purpor OF
an original document foundl that he regrets he is
IN a position 10 make loans
The basis Of these transactions a letter, dated
First National Bank Cheyenne, W r. October 20 1875
purporting 70 be signed ~ John I. Wild Cashier al
foliows:-
'ero whom il may concerni take pleasure in recon-
mcndns 70 the public Mr ". Harrington, Of this
city. Er II has been extensively engaged in different
branches Of business here and have always found him
be honest energetic young man OF excellent
morals. Any iavors shown linn vii 0e duly appreci-
RESOLVES on 4 DESPERATE CRIME.
Yesterday, December 3 Harrington addressed note
10 Hopkins n Haley, brokers, IN the salo Deposit
Building saying
~ am unfortunately confined to the hotel under
slight attack Of illness and want 70 some currency
II you will be 90 obhgng AZ 70 send me s. $50 in Uni
ted States currency, will consider personal favor
Send $500 OF IL IN ves and tens balance in aftes
and hundreds ! viii have the coin ready Tor you
hereN
TO this Mr. Haley, senior responded IN person shout
noon, and was shown 70 room 559 where he had
interview with Harrington. Mr. Haley stated he had
called arrange about tho price, and had not, Of
courses brought The money with him. but could send II
by a messenger. The price agreed upon and Mr.
Haley departed, having nxed half past Two foS the
meeting
TIE POLICE A HAND.
Mr. Halcy's suspicious were excited and ne Al once
advised win Captain Lees, OF the Detective Police, who
detailed Detective John Meaghcr 10 accompany Mr.
Hsley and SEQ what there IN IL Tho suppositiOn
as that occupant of 669 intended 10 transfer bogus
t'- - o.ut,h norL M thc paiaca