The record-union., 1891-03-01
MURDER AND SUICIDE.
TERRIBLE DEATH OF A LUNATIC
AT SAN FRANCISCO.
A. T. Cochrane Kills His Son-in-Law
and Then Fatally Shoots
Himself.
Special to the RrconD-UN1ox.


SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 2S.-This morn
ing about $50 O'Clock word was received
| at the police station that murder had
been committed at the residence of A. II.
Cochrane, residing at 900 Filbert street.
The police patrol wagon was Immediately
dispatched to the scene, and on its ar
| rival it was les.,led that Cochrane had
not only killed his son-in-law, r. S.
thompson, a conductor on the Jackson
street line of cars, but after committing
the deed turned the pistol on himself,
firing two shots into his own body, one
entering underneath the chin and coming
out at the left eye, the second passing
through the body just below the breast
bone. Upon the arrival of the patrol
wagon the street in front of the house in
which the crime was committed was
densely packed with an excited crowd of
people, ana 1t was with some difficulty
that the officers entered the house.
The news was at once impaired that
Thompson was dead but that spark of
life remained in Cochrane's body. As
quickly as possible the injured man was
conveyed from the house to the ambu-
lance and the wagon started for the Re-
ceiving Hospital. Cochrane had not been
tdiu cii ellC operating ldDle IL lillUuI6 WnGn
he gave couple of gaSpS and died. The
morgue officials were notified of the
death of the son-in-law and the dead
wagon was sent out
SCENE OF THE TRAGEDY
On arriving at the house press repre-
Sentatlves were at first refused admission.
but after short time John A. Wall. an
attorney-at-law of 325 Montgomery street
and son of Cochrane's wife, admitted
n lnNxre-r -rNsl1op i
to The room in the second story where the
crime had been committed. The body of
Thompson was i'll bed covered by the
clothes, and apparently he had been
asleep when shot. The ball entered lust
a little above the left ear and death must
have ensued instantly. On the floor pools
Of blood were to be seen which had
escaped from the CHASTITY wound made by
the ball that entered under the chin Of
Cochrane.
THE MURDERER PROBABLY INSANE
From Mr.. Wall it was learned that
about year ago Cochrane had been be-
fore the Commissioners of Insanity on
charges preferred by his relatives, and on
the examination being held, Judge Levy
declared that Cochrane was of sound
mind, and he was discharged from custo-
dy. Since that time he has been continu-
ally making threats against his wife. and
Mr.. Wall and the entire family have lived
in fear that he would at some time or
other carry his intentions out. But great
surprise is manifested that he should have
shot his son-in-law, as they We're always
on the best of terms and frequently con-
verSed together. This leads to the belief
that Cochrane was completely out of his
mind when the shooting occurred. A
most peculiar circumstance connected
with the tragedy is that not soul in the
house heard the shots, and it was not un-
I'll Edith Cochrane entered the bedroom
to awake Thompson that the discovery
was made. Cochrane was lying on the
iioor and, as before stated, Thompson
was in bed. The occupants of the house
were at once alarmed and word was sent
to the police station.
Early this morning Cochrane, it is said.
arose and, dressing himself, visited drug
store IN the neighborhood and procured
bottle of medicine, returning to the house
and going to his room. How long he re-
manned there is not known. He was
aware that Thompson was to leave the
house and go ON duty at IL A. NJ, and it is
supposed he entered the latter's room.
aud observing him in bed walked over to
the side of it and, holding the pistol to the
head, fired. There We're no signs of a
struggle having taken place, and the en-
trance of Cochrane did not, apparently.
awaken the son-in-law.
The latter has been connected with the
raliroad company tor some time past, and
Is well spoken OF. He was about 26 years
OF age and a native of this CITY
Cocbrane is veteran of the Mexican
war, a painter by occupation, about 64
years of age, and a native of New York
Thompson married Cochrane's daughter
three. years ago, but she died about ten
months ago. and Thompson has remained
III the house ever since.
WHAT THE FAMILY SAYS.
Mr.. Wall stated that his mother was moi
III any condition to be interviewed as she
was prostrated by the sad affair.
The statement was made by the differ
ent members of the family that Cochrane
was insane, but that while he has never
been violent his actions plainly denoted
that his mind was unbalanced.
No statement was made as to where
Coehrane procured the pistol, and it was
not known by any of the inmates of the
house that he possessed weapon.