The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-02
HIS SUFFERING OYER.
Ex-Sergeant of Police Fleming
Commits Suicide.
Dependency, Caused BY Months Of Painful
Illness, Led Him to Put Bullet in His
Brain at the Old City Hall.

Ex-Police Sergeant Socrates c. Fleming
committed suicide in the police assembly
room in the old City Hall yesterday morn
ing at 1920 o'clock by shooting himself in
the head.
The deceased had for years been sufferer
from heart disease and Brights disease OF
the Kidneys, and on account of his poor
health was retired from the police force on
the 3Oth of last September under the pen
sion law enacted by the last Legislature.
Since his retirement the ex-Sergeant Suf-
fered fearful agony from his complaints.
He made several trips to health resorts in
the hope of getting relief from his pains,
but without avail.
OF late it was noticed by his friends that
he was prey to continued melancholy.
and had ii fixed idea that he would not live
long.
lie consulted doctors and was informed
that his case was hopeless, and that he was
liable to drop dead from the heart affection.
HE WAS DEsPoNDENT.
During the past week he was very de-
spondent and told friends that if he did not
Ind relief of some kind from his pain he
would end his life.
On last Thursday Chief Crowley was in
formed of Mr.. Jennings feelings and he
had q conversation with him and tried to
cheer him up. He did not succeed. how
ever, and when the ex-Sergeant left the Chief
he was as gloomy as ever.
On Saturday evening Mr.. Flem ing sent
for Officer Blair, who sat up with him al
night. Mr.. Flemng's condition was pitt
able. He laid on MS bed and gasped for
breath for hours.
He apparently suffered intense pain, and
several times he told Blair that the agony
than ha nnnl1 stanl and ha
would rather end his life than suffer SO.
Blair did his best to cheer him up.
Yesterday morning early Mr.. Fleming left
his lodging house, 1856 Golden Gate avenue,
and went 10 the old City Hall. AT the cor
ner OF Clay and kearny streets he met
Sergeant of Police Lindheimer and to the
latter said that he was feeling worse than
he had ever felt before
When he reached the hall he asked Officer
Charles Reynolds TO go with him over to A.
eros drugstore corner of Washington and
hearDy streets, where he wanted TO get
some morphine to deaden his pain.
HE WAS REFUSED MORPHINE.
At the drugstore the morphine was re-
fused him, as he had no prescription. Mr..
Fleming then met Dr. SomerS of the Receiy-
ing Hospital, and from him obtained a pre-
scrlptiOn and got the drug. 1t is known,
too, that prior to reaching the hall he went
into DeVlne,s drugstore, at the corner OF
Clay and Kearny streets. and asked for
laudanum, which was refused him.
With the morphine in his possession he
went back to the police assembly-roOm. on
the Merchant-street side of the City Hall,
and after few words OF conversation with
Sergeant H0ughtalng, went into little
closet in corner Of the room to get glass
of water.
In another moment shot was fired, and
the ex-Sergeants body was found lying on
the floor, with a pistol in his hand ana
blood flowing from CHASTITY wound in his
right temple.
There is little doubt but that he cOntem-
plated suicide, and Oh the spur of moment
drew his pistol and fired the fatal bullet.
His body was removed to the Morgue and
soon after taken to Hamilton's undertaking
establishment, to be prepared for burial.
HE MADE HIS WILL.
On Saturday night it is known that the
deceased made his will in anticipation of
death. He leaves an estate worth probably
about So, 600.
Ex-Sergeant Fleming was born ON Grand
Island, Lake Champaign, September IL,
1884. He came out here in the early days,
and for long time performed special police
duty on the waterfront. He became a
member of the regular force May l, 1878,
and in October, 1880, was promoted 10 the
position of Sergeant, and served as such
until he was retired, last September.
He left no family, his wife having died
some years ago. He leaves relatives in the
East. He was member of Mount Moriah
Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and will
be buried under the auspices of that order.
An inquest Will be held to-day.