The morning call., 1891-11-05
Lttf1e UITis.
7I,,-,, Gosh .Ssj9ry,rf,J GosrF,

Still sticking in the right side of the little
boys face was the instrument of death,
large Ratchet. glance was almost suffi-
cient to denote that a horrible uxoricide,
infanticide and suicide had been COM
mitted by a maniac. Such was the case.
Siegfried Gasch. an insane laborer. with all
the d.abolcal elaboration known to mad
men, had chopped his wife and son to
death and then hanged himself to q tree.
The scene Of this terrible triple tragedy
was a one-stOry frame cottage on GiTard
street, near Silver avenue, near the San
Bruno road. and within the precincts Of
South San Francisco. Many have been the
shocking crimes committed in that vicinity
during the.past ten years. but none so hOr-
ribie and sickening in every detail as that
Of Siegfried Gosch. To thoroughly under
stand the details of the tragedy it will be
necessary to know something Of the early
history Of the murderer aud suicide.
Six years ago G6sch arrived in New York
from Germany. Two years later he came to
San Francisco and found employment at
the tannery of Sternitzky Bros, on the San
Bruno road, near the old Four-mile House.
So faithfully did he work that he WAS we'll
liked by his employers. and after years
service they consented to his marriage with
their sister, Mary. She was then % years Of
age and he was four years her junior Ap-
paIenty the union was n happy one, and
the couple went 10 housekeeping in the lit
tie three-roOmed cottage adjoining the resi-
dence of the brides family.
Two children were the result of the union.
Willie, the eldest, was aged IS months at the
time OF tie ending of his life, and Robert.
the only survivor of the family, has been
in the world just ten weeks.
1t is not many months since GoSch became
dissatisfied with his life and expressed de-
sire TO return to his native land. His wife
preferred TO remain here and live near her
parents and brothers
Relatives of Gosch's wife also reasoned
with him, saying that if lie went it would
take all his savings to make the trip, and
that he could not support his family as
well in Germany as he could here The
opposition to his plans made MIN moody,
and at times he displayed unmstakable
signs OF insanity, although his relatives did
not think he was demented. Finally he eX-
pressed determination TO return alone to
the old country, leaving his wife and
children behind.
:. On one occasion when his brother-in-law
asked him why he was so bent On going to
:: Germany, he said his parents were anxious
to see him; that they would support him
and give him plenty Of money Things went
e on from bad to worse, and Gosch became
more sulky and morose each day. At tim es
he would seem 10 have lost all ambition,
and then would brighten up little and
relate stories OF his early lite in Rentzberg,
-Holstein, Germany. where he had been q
grOcer's clerk.
Less than a week ago he grew so wild
over the idea of returning to Germany thai
his wife's folks talked seriously of having
him examined before the Commissioners Of
Insanity. 1t would probably have saved
three lives had they done so. the last time
that Gosch was seen alive by any of his
wife'S relatives was at 9:l6 o'clock on Tues