Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-06-13
MURDERER,S SUICIDE.

Tragic Death of a Young Man From St.
Paul at San Francisco-He Accuses Him
self of Two Murders, and Dies to Atone
for Them.
The San Francisco Chronicle of recent
date contains the following relative to the
suicide of former resident of ST. Paul,
who, according to his own story, must
have been hard case since his departure
from this city:
Early last Thursday, Harry Solomon, a
teamster, saw in the center of the lot on
the corner of Harrison and Seventh
streets what looked like the body of
dead man. Being in somewhat of a
hurry, and the hour being rather
unpropitious for gruesome investiga-
tions Mr.. Soloman proceeded to the more
cheerful occupation of break.
fasting Thus fortified, he returned to
the lot to investigate. He there found a
fine looking, well dressed young man ly-
ing with his pale face turned upwards,
and with bullet hole in his breast. A
five shooting revolver was lying near
him, about two feet to his right, Mr.. Sol
oman states. Officer James Slattery,
who soon afterwards arrived, said the pisa
tol was lying four feet to the dead man s
left ellis coat and vest," continued the
officer, s'were opened and thrown backy
His shirt was powder burned around q
blSe1 stained bullet hole" 1t was in
this position that the coroner's messen-
ger found the body, and removed from 1t
the following letter:
HIDING HIS IDENTITY.
SAN FRANsIsco, Cal, 23d May, 81
Editor Chronicle-Dear Sir: l am this
night going to take my life, the Sd one
Three weeks ago | killed young man
named F. B. Bates from Salt Lake City
Utah Territory. Suppose he lived there
by letters found in his pocket and in his
trunk. 1t seems by the letters he was
engaged to Miss Lizzie Smyser, P o Box
No 234 Salt Lake City. So after going
through with his money and concluded
to kill himself | sent his trunk to her
but did not explain about his DEATH Hope
you will inform her of the facts through
your valuable paper | followed this
MIR Bates from Winnemucca
for his money. | also assisted in
killing another man. He was travelling
for an Eastern firm and had lots of papers
and account books which / destroyed
The men who helped to kill this man are
still in the city. saw them both not an
hour ago and can be easily apprehended
by paying strict attention to the follow
ing marks. The tall one has crooked
front finger on his left hand turning
square over the other fingers On the
centre of his left hand back is an India
Ink star blue Ink. On his left breast
these words De DE Loe The other ac-
complice is short stout about 145 lbs. %
years old and little cross eyed Brown
hair, They are both in town and have
no idea of my intention and have another
robbery planned for middle of next week.
Both bodies of the murdered men are
where they will never be found, all ask of
you is to notify Mr. Bates intended wife
of his cruel murder She must be nearly
crazy, as the letter he wrote on his ar
rival was not sent till I sent his trunk.
He was nice little man and had consid-
erable money but it did me no good His
trunk has nearly all his clothes in it,
watches, rings, etc. l have written to
another paper last about the other fellow
we killed. | am very sorry that 1 had
anything to do with it, but that does not
better matters any now. These are nv
first murders, but not my first stealing.
l am stranger here Have or 5
names I had to leave Helena and Butte,
Montana, to avoid imprisonment. Also
Boise City. Now am miserable Am
sorry and ask the forgiveness of God and
people and take my own life
My real name is W. Fl. Ward, and am
q years of age. Was born of good pa
rents and families in st. Paul, MINI.
Came West to Montana four years ago
No post mortem is necessary, as | kill
myself to avenge the murder of the two
innocent and good men above mentioned
Your miserable man and unfortunate.
W. II. WARD
My last word is, do not fail to tell Miss
Smyser, B. 234, Salt Lake City, Utah
Territory, about the death of F. B. Bates
W. II. W.