The morning call., 1890-05-23
IT WAS A SUICIDE.
Ex-senator Charles Kent Took
His Own Life.
The Theory That He Was Murdered Is Ex
pltded by His Frisnds-He Was DE-
spopdent and Wished to Die.

Ex-senator Charles Kent. who was found dead
In the bay "Wednesday morning. is now geneI
ally believed 10 have committed suicide, and the
theory OF murder at first advanced has lost
ground considerably in one day. Still, the way
in which he came TO his end is only matter of
con lecture.
That lie was murdered first and then thrown
into the bay was at once con sidered beyond
doubt Immediately after the post mortem ex-
aminatlOn but this theory relied altogether on
precedent established by science. IL was like SO
much clrcumStantiai evidence. And now there
is found similar evidence of stronger nature In
favor Of the suicide theory. lie had told his
friends that he intended to commit suicide, and
lie did attempt 10 drown himself from the ferry
boat Piedmont Monday afternoon, but was
stopped by a deck-hand OF the steamer
Kent was well known all over this State ard in
Nevada. He was at one time Sheriff of Nevada
County for two terms and State Senator IN 1879
He was member of the pork packing firm OF
Cashen Kent about 1865 In Nevada, and was
once reputed worth million dollars, but the
money slipped Though MS fingers and In the end
lie was reduced to almost state OF beggary.
Politics, which brought him In contact with
many men, led bIm into the habit OF drinking
freely, aud then business began to fail and he
drank harder than ever.
HIS MIND AFFECTED.
About six months ago his wife died, when his
friends noticed change for the worse In his
mind. and these frlends inclined to believe
that his death was from suicide while despond
ent over lll-fortune.
Within The last month he borrowed small
amounts of money from number OF his old
friends and Squandcred II all in liquor. He was
on spree In Modesto last Friday and was robbed
oil his watch and chain aud what money lie
possessed. friond bought him ticket for this
city and he arrived here without cent in his
poeket. Again be managed to borrow a few
dollars, which also went over the bar.
On Monday afternoon lie went 10 the ferry
landing aud acted In such peculiar manner that
he attracted the attention Of Corporal Avon and
ex-senator Hawains, who Is now employed at
the narrow gauge wharf. They thought that lie
Intended drowning himself then, aud Il threat to
take him into custody had the effect of driving
him away from the wharf. While conversing
with HawN lns he said that lie was badly in need
oil money, but Hawkins would not give him any,
as lie was under the influence OF liquor.
Aaron Hooper, Montgomery street saloon
man, loaned him dollar on the representation
that he wanted TO get room and sleep of the
OaE land and boarded the Piedmont the following
AFTERNOON at 3 o'clock.
OFF THE PIEDMONT.
When The boat was well out In tile bay he tried
to jump overheard, but WAS restrained by a deck
hand known as ''Eugsh Jlm."
This iact has led The detectives TO believe that
he look a night boat and jumped over the rails
wheu no one was looking. The paddle wheel
might have struck him on The head, causing in
slant death. and rs a consequence lie would have
taken s1to his hugs little OF water.
htas told Seth Martin, who lives at the Bald
VIII House, that he was very Respondent then,
aEA INTENDED 10 commit suicide, giving as his
reason that lie had been robbed in Modesto the
wceh before OIL all his money and gold watch
ana chain gwen 10 him by his wife, now dead.
lie also told crowd In Nye's saloon on Polk
street that lie was about TO take his lite.
Kent was native OF New York. G6 years of
age, and leaves daughter, who Is married 10
ex-UniIed States Marshal E. Marcelus OF 1914
Everett street, Alameda He Will be buried in