The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-06
A MYSTERIOUS CASE,
A Consumptiye Dies With a Bullet
Wound in His Breast.

1t is necessary to add another to the list of
mysterious cases which have recently &C.
cured in this city and concern ing which it
is not only difficult but practically impossi-
BILE to form any theory.
This is the case Of man who has been ill
with consumption for the past year, and
who returned to the city about month ago
In a very weak condition, and who became
gradually so low that it was impossible for
him to get out of bed; so it was only ques-
ton of few days before he would die, and
yesterday he was found with pistol wound
in the breast, which is said to have existed
since Monday last, but with no blood stains
upon him. no powder marks, and no
weapon of any description. What is known
of the case is rs follows:
Yesterday afternoon at 80 o'clock DIR. L.
w. Newell of go Howard street came to the
Morgue and reported to Coroner Eaton that
patient OF his named Martin II. Donahue,
residing at 443 Mnna street. had died shortly
before noon yesterday and before dying had
confessed that he had shot himself in the
upper part of the chest on Monday last. An
examination disclosed Il pistol-snot wound.
DR.. Newell said he had been attending the
deceased for upward Of year past, VINO
had been suffering from consumption, and
who had returned from the country about a
month ago. since which time he had been
gradually sinking; that he was called in to
see Donahue about or 6 oclock yesterday
morning, at which time he made the con-
fession above stated. Deputy Coroner Mag
ner went to the house of the deceased and
found him to be III very emaciated condi-
ton with the wound described, but whether
he died from the effects of the disease or the
wound he could not determine. post
norton examination will be had.
DR.. Newell was visited by a CALL re-
porter last evening and asked about the
n n I'm Ia ,tpIy,
air of mystery and said the family did not
wish to have the matter talked about, but
croSs-queStioning ELECTED the Information
that Donahue had confessed to him that he
had Shot himself on Monday last, but that
he had given no reason for it. He admitted
that there were no powder marks and no
blood stains, and added that the man could
only have lived few days longer at best,
and that he was suffering no pain from his
disease.
Mrs Donahue, the widow of the deceased,
was at her home and made the statement
that she knew nothing about the matter
other than that her husband had confessed
to the doctor in her presence yesterday
morning that he had shot himself acciden-
tally while toying with pistol. She said
she had been his only and constant attendant
since his return from the country month
ago, and that she had not known lie was
shot until he made the statement to the
doctor. She maintained thai she had seen
no blood and had found no pistol.
Father HeSlin, of ST. Patrick's Parish, was
next interviewed, and admitted that he had
attended the deceased frequently during the
past month, and knew he was going to die.
He said lie had been out riding yesterday
morning, and upon returning, about II
O'Clock, concluded to step in and see Mr..
Donahue. He found him in dying condi-
ton, and at once administered tile rites of
the Catholic Church to him, soon after which
he passed away. He was surprised and as
tonished TO learn that the deceased had shot
himself, and said he had not heard Of it
before.
The post-mortem examination which will
be held to-day, it is hoped. will throw some
light on the subject The deceased was
member of the firm of Ridley & Donahue,
salOon-keepers, of 1J6 Steuart street.