The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-02
HIS LAST LETTERS.
Schmidt Writes to Bells Mother for Fo


giveness.
News of Schmldts death reached this
city early yesterday morning. DR.. Easton.
pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Chuch. who
believes that Sidney Bell did not kill Jacob
son, received the following dispatch from
Warden Hale:
Charles schmidt was found dead in his cell
this morning. No doubt lie committed suicide.
Coroner will hold inquest.
Detective James A. Brown OF Columbus,
Ohio, who, with DIR. Easton, is endeavoring
to prove Bells innocence, started at once
for San Quentin. He met the Warden, and
was nfelmed that when Schmidt reached
the prison Oh Saturday lie staggered as if
intoxicated: His condition was observed
by lady, who wondered how prisoner
obtained sufficient quantity of liquor TO
leave him in such a state
There is no doubt in the detectives mind
that Schmidt committed suicide, and had
long contemplated the act.
THREATENED SUICIDE.
On October 18th Schmidt sent the follow
ing letterto DR.. Easton:
CITY, 1o-Il-9I
Or. Edston-HONoRABLE SIR: / wish you
come 10 see me TOMORROW. Monday, or Tuesday
afternoon between about 8 or O'clock AT the
latest wish 10 speak 10 you and have a good
long talk when you come. BE prepared Tor
about a two hours stag, as / have a good many
things 10 tell won concerning my family and my
past life. ! want ut least one trusted person 10
know who am. have sacrificed my liberty,
and I see I'll have TO sacrifice my life in order
TO save Bells. | have only done my duty toward
my fellow men and would have done that under
any circumstances II l should have gone TO the
gdllOWs or into The State Prison myself 10 save
him. can only give YOU my word for that. |
could have succeeded In doing that anyhow If
you had let me follow my own plans. and |
would nave been Tree man to-day. Now my
lie Is iulned. It's not worth living for.
am IN he prime OF life aud Ike 10. live as
well as body. but life is a burden 10 me under
lTflp I a-h
10 die ana my plans are well laid. You VIII find
out when 100 late this Is no ghost story l am
Telling. Respectfully, C.-S.
SURRENDERED THE POISON.
DR.. Easton called upon Schmidt. and
after exh0rting him to refrain from commit
ting selt-slaushter received from the prls-
Oner an envelope containing enough NOR
Prime TO kill i've men. How Schmidt
obtained the drug is unknown. He not
only obtained il, but sent some to Bell, tell
ing him 10 sew it up in his clothes and take
it at the last moment if he was condemned
to die. In this letter he told Bell that he
would rather kill himself than spend TWO
years in prison. The poison and the letters
are now in the possession of Detective
Brown, to whom they We're given bv Bell
He also has the following remarkable epis-
lie, which Schmidt wrote to Mrs. Bell:
SAN FRANCISCO, October 18TH
Dear Madam Allow me 10 Introduce myself
TO yotsia these few lines. My name Is Charles
Schmidt. have been close acquaintance and
silent friend of your sou Sidney. although not
having been on very good terms with him on the
outside, on account Of what l thought a quarrel
some nature on his part.
am glad TO say now that We are the best of
friends. No doubt you have heard OF me beforr
and not in a very bright light. am very sorry to
say. l ass you To veIgiYe lie as the mother Of
Sidney for what wrOBgl have done your son. 1t
was ouly tile shadow of a wrong. and / can as
sure y0u'lt was done with good Intention IN my
heart 10 do what was right in due time at any
sacrifice. / was proud 10 know that l alone
conld save sidney's life by saying the word and
am GLAD that have done
have been The tool Of high officials OF this
city government, and am also glad to say that
am alone able TO show up corruption if neces-
saiy. he details of all this. also of my conuec-
lIon IN your sons case, IL would be TOO much 10
explain now. II is, l think our stronghold and
only weapon for our defeuse. L hope some other
day later on L will be able 10 explain myself
nearer.
All ask now Is your forgiveness, and hofe
can convince you of my good Intentions as NV
greatest feelings of sympathy mas been with you
and sydney from The beginning, but / could not
show II Tor certain reasons. lad good mother
myself aud l loved her dearly, and l suppose
Sydney does The same.
My mother di. d when l was young. and can
assure you never had a real happy day since [
losf my dear mother. only too late found ont
The worth OF true mother, aud the only true
friend anybody ever have is "a mother.
can imagin- the sflei that The news of Sid
Dey's conviction brought you, but l wish could
explain my plans, how | wanted and could
restore happiness TO you. was an unknown,
secret iiltHu 10 your son. sidney, all the time,
waiting only Tor chance 10 show 1t. l am glad
10 tell you sidney seems 10 feel happy enough.
am trying 10 do all 10 cUedr hun ;ip. lie is in
cell %, am In cell %, and we are keepfng up
written communication betwten us all the lime
worry a lltlle more than he does. but hope we
are getting out Of our trouble Without making
any scandal all right.
Doctor Easton, whom no doubt you know is
on our Side, and he is working untirnEiy for
both oius. SO also Is Detective Mr.. Brown, and
link we are gaining the sympathy of the pe0-
pie daily, am Writing this few words 10 you
hoping Them to be something 10 mothers feel
lngs toward her boy, and also TO show you my
good feelings towaid your family
Sidney OF nobody else knows | am writing 10
you. but am sending his love on he quiet and
my good feeling toward you and your family.
Hoping you will accept them, l remain YOURS
very respectIully, CHARLES Schmidt
7. 81 hope you will excuse my mistakes, as
being German have not been educated in lie
English language.