Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-12
Accidental Drowning of Ex-Mayor An
dreW j. BRYANT.


SAN Francisco, May 1lth.-Ths city was
both panied and startled this morning
when il became known that Andrew j.
Bryant, formerly Mayor of the city, had
been drowned in the bay. The first report
was that he had committed suicide by
jumping from the ferryboat Encinal, but
when the facts became known this idea
was generally discredited. The circum-
stances, as gathered by the Bulletin were as
follows;
He left his office in this city presumably
to attend either to the interests of the
agency of the State Investment Insurance
Company, of which he was President, the
resident agent having recently died, or to
his private property interests across the
bay. At the time he left the company's
office he was, the officers say, in good
spirits.
The ex-Mayor made his appearance at
the ticket office of the narrow-gauge ferry
a few minutes before 9:45 and purchased a
ticket. He was very nervous, according to
to the ticket-seller His hands trembled
violently, and he seemed to have difficulty
in seeing clearly. II was also evident that
he was mentally perturbed. 1t troubled
him to dispose of his ticket and the change,
and the former went futtering to the floor.
1t was picked up and handed to Mr. Bry-
ant by ex-Sheriff Sedgwick, who was stand
ing near. Mr.. Bryant then walked slowly
aboard the Encinal. She had scarcely
cleared the slips before loud splash was
heard, ana it was seen that he had fallen
overheard from the lower deck, where he
had been standing, near the rail. The tide
was flowing strongly, and carried his
struggling form rapidly southwark. He
was soon taken from the water, but too
late to be resuscitated,
His private affairs, as far as known, were
in excellent condition, but his health had
been poor for six months or more, as he
was suffering from Brights disease OF the
kidneys. He had wasted away to shadow
of his folmer self, and was subject to faint
ing spells. 1t is probable that when Mr..
Bryant went to the ticket office one of
these spells was coming on, and that he
tainted while leaning on the rail of the
boat a few minutes later, and in falling
slipped into the water.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
A. J. Bryant was born in New Hamp-
shire in 1882, and was, therefore fifty-two
years of age. He leaves a widow and two
children, both girls, one residing here and
the other in New Hampshire. He came to
California in very early days, and engaged
in mining, returning home for a visit with
considerable money to his credit here.
In 1858-59 A. j. Bryant was head of the
firm of Bryant & Co., groceries and liquors,
at Sacramento, but resided in San Fran
cisco. In 1859 he formed a partnership
with John C. Morrison, Jr., in the whole
sale liquor business, under the firm name
of Morrison d Bryant.
For a year or so Mr.. Bryant was Naval
Officer at this port, being appointed thereto
by President johnson. In 1870 he turned
his attention to the business of his whole
after hfe-that of insurance. In 1873 Mr.
Bryant Peter Donahue, James IRVINE and
others organized the since well-known in
corporation, The State Investment and In
surance Company. He continued in the
safe and lock importing business in part
nership with J. S. Taylor. He withdrew
from the latter business few years ago,
but continued in the insurance business
until his death.
In 1875 he made an active canvass for
and secured the Democratic nomination for
Mayor of San Francisco and was elected by
q very slender majority over Charles Clay
ton, the Republican nominee. General H.
A. Cobb ran in that campaign for Mayor as
an Independent Democrat, and polled about
1000 votes.
Near the close of his term, in 1877, Mr..
Bryant was again elected Mayor.
The anti-coolie riots occurred while Mr.
Bryant was Mayor, and constituted the
most serious local event since the great
Vigilance Committee of 1856.
His fortune is estimated at anywhere be-
tween a quarter and half million dollars.