The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-19
SHOT HIMSELF.
Sensational Suicide on The Oak.
land Ferryb0at.
Tragic Death Of Otto Backstrom, Bank
Clerk - Sad Termination Of
Picnic.

glamor OF love, poetry and mystery, oc-
CURED last evening on the Oakland boat
shortly before it reached this city, The
ferry was crowded with picnickers re-
turning home after their days pleasure.
The tragedy did not take place until the
Oakland was almost near the dock
on her 9 o'clock trip. When near the slip
the pleasure-seekers were startled by the
report of pistol on the lower deck, near
the boot-black stand. A rush was made
for the spot and Officer G. R. Griffith, who
was on the boat, had hard work to keep
back the crowd.
The suicide was found to be Otto Back
strom, book-keeper in the San Francisco
Savings Union. He had shot himself
through the heart and died instantly.
The immediate cause of the suicide is in
yolyed in considerable Obscurity. Back
strom had gone to private picnic early in
the morning to place called Highlands, near
Brooklyn. The party consisted principally
of Swedes. which was the nationality
OF the deceased. During the day he
betrayed no signs of dependency, if the
statements of number of his friends are
to be believed In the party were ]. H.
Lundstrom and wife, the brother-in-law
of Backstrom, besides a large number
trip to the city the party seemed to
display considerable gaiety. When the
shooting took place. Mrs. Lundstrom en-
deayored to take the watch of the suicide,
and Officer Griffith asked her who she was.
81 am his wife," she replied. The officer
pushed her back. and Mr. Lundstrom told
him that the woman was his wife and not
the wife of the deceased, and explained
that he and Bockstrom had married sisters.
When asked for particulars concerning
the cause of the shooting, Mr.. Lundstrom
said that the deceased had lost his wife
some two years ago and that that trouble
had prompted him to take his life. Mrs.
Lundstrom could only say that the de-
ceased had lost his head, Both
were very reticent. and made contradictory
statements. Officer Griffith stated that
Lundstrom told him he was in the Asses
sor's office. when, in reality, he was in the
hat business.
Coroner Eaton was early notified of the
tragedy and at once proceeded after the
body. He made strenuous efforts to
ascertain the true nature Of the sui
eide and interviewed number OF
those who witnessed the shooting.
according to the story of number of these
witnesses the true facts of the case are
these: Backstrom and Lundstrom mar
ried two sisters. Backstrom was en-
gagged as a book-keeper for eight years
for commission merchant, who some
time ago absconded with large amount.
After that event Backstrom lost his posi-
ton. About three months ago he secured a
place as pook-keeper in the San
Francisco Savings Union. About two
years ago his wife died and he took a
trip to Stockholm, his native city, wnere
his family are wealthy and influential.
There he met sister of Lundstrom
and fell in love with her. According
to the statements of friends this
young woman some time ago came out to
San Francisco, and the passion of Back
strom was intensified by her presence. He
made proposals to her, and was refused.
Yesterday the whole party was at
the picnic. There Backstrom again made
proposal to the girl, whose name
is Lilly Luudstrom, and was again refused.
According me stg-ements made to the Cor
! oner Back from thIeateDed to commit sui
eide several times during the day on ac-
count of his rejection. No one, however,
paid any attention to his threats. When
they were carried into execution it was re-
allied too late how deep had been his dsap-
pointment at the failure of his love affair.
The pistol which was used by the de-
ceased was taken while yet smoking from
the hand of Backstrom by Charles Butler. a
boOtblack on the ferry. Butler states that
young woman came forward and looked
at the body, and after an exclamation of
the deepest anguish was led away. Officer
Griffith states that he was informed by
several members of the party that
BackstrOm had made a proposal
to Lilly Lundstrom at the picnic and had
been refused. which so preyed on his mind
that he committed suicide.
j. Fl. Lundstr0m, however, when seen,
empnaticalIy denied that his sister was. a
member of the party, and asserted
did not deny that Backstrom had
been in love with her. He seemed to be in
clned to throw mystery on the case and
asserted that he had no idea whatever why
the deceased had taken his own life.
When the body was taken to the Morgue
considerable jewelry was found on his per-
son, besides a small amount of money. He
was handsome man, 30 years of age, and
bore every evidence OF being in the best Of
health.
In his locket was found a picture of a
handsome woman, on which was written
Lilly Lundstron." The portrait is that
of remarkably handsome young woman.
A number OF cards bearing the same name
were also found
Shortly after the tragedy Coroner Eaton
and CALL reporter made an investigation
of the personal effects of Backstrom,
who resided at 333 O'Farrell street.
No letters were found to throw
any light on the suicide. The
pictures, and bears every evidence of
man used to the good things
of life. A number of letters were
found from parties in Stockholm. There
is one large book, in which the de
language poems of love and song
According to his friends, the father
of B0ckStrom has quite a reputation
as poet in Sweden, and the son, accord
ing to the records he left behind, was ambi-
tious to climb the Parnassian heights. Cor
oner Eaton also found a policy for 5000 in
the Enterprise Lodge, American Legion OF
Honor The brother-in-law OF the deceased
stated that this policy was outlawed, as
Backstrom mad left the lodge; In the room
large collection Of fine cloths was also
discovered.
Coroner Eaton late last night cabled the
relatives of Backstrom in Sweden asking
what he should do with the effects of the
deceased. lie will not hold an inquest for
several days.
Secretary White of the San Francisco
Savings Union, when seen, said that he had
no idea what induced Backstrom to take
his own life. He was popular and had
hosts of friends. There was, nor could
be nothing wrong with Backstrom's rela-
tions with the bank. Backstrom was widely