The morning call., 1891-02-11
" CRAZY FOR SLEEP"
Frank Amy Ends Life of Great
Suffering.
He Was Cripple With Pathetic Life Story
Suicide Was Long Contemplated
by Him.

Long suffering from complication of dis
eases prompted Frank Almy to commit
suicide at an early hour yesterday morning
by shooting himself through the head For
many years he had roomed at 49, Sacra-
mento street. He arose yesterday and at
$50 O'clock entered the restaurant and
coffee-saloon OF Anton Lettunich at 6
Sacramento street, and ordering a cup of
tea, paid for it.
Take the tea away" he said to the
proprietor of the place, land I'll drink it
when l come back" Then he went out to
closet in the rear, and placing the muzze of
bulldog pistol against his temple sent
bullet through his brain. The report of the
pistol attracted Lettunch, and going out to
the closet he found Amy unconscious, but
sitting upright ami holding the pistol in his
right hand. Special Officer Mulcahey was
summoned and removed the wounded man
TO the Receiving Hospital, where he died
five minutes after his arrival
PATHETIC LIFE STORY.
The story of the life of Almy is peculiarly
pathetic. He was about 81 years of age and
protege of Captain l. w. Lees, chief of
the detective force He was born in Indian
apolis, Ind, and was reared by two maiden
aunts, his parents having died when he was
very young. He received thorough mu-
steal education and studied dentistry
Twelve years ago he came to San Francisco
and secured work as a house painter.
While painting at the top Of a high dwell
ing the scaffolding gave way and he fell
nearly forty feet sustaining compound
IT cture of the lett leg. He was removed to
st. Mary's Hospital and. after spending all
the money he possessed at that place, he
was transferred to the City and County
Hospital. There it was found necessary TO
amputate the fractured limb below the knee
II was while recovering from the effects of
the surgical operation that the deceased met
Captain Lees, who was in the habit OF
making the rounds of the hospital.
Captain Lees took the unfortunate young
man to his home, where he remained for one
year. AT the end of that time Almy eX-
pressed determination to do something for
himself. So Captain Lees gave him money
and he started news business at the ferry
landing, also employing several boys to sell
papers for him. Almy Was man of sober
and frugal habits and saved money for Il
rainy day.
REMEMBERED HIS BENEFACToR.
He always regarded the home of Captain
Lees as his own, ana usually took dinner
there on Sunday. 1t was no wonder that
the unfortunate cripple remembered his
benefactor before putting an end TO his suf-
ierlngS. On the bureau IN his room at 1873
Sacramento street was found the following
letter:
Dear Friends-G ood-by; I am worn out with
suffering, with four OF five different complaints
10 blame. al last rheumatism all over my body.
am crazy FOR sleep. was not asleep last night
when they came TO my door, but was trying very
hard Dr. Garwood, please give all my effects
10 MI. and Mrs. /. W. Lees; they VIII find my
wishes made OUT 10 my bureau drawer. made
them out long before expected TO do this. am
nervous trying 10 write Ihis, not from fear but
suffering; 30 good by al, aud try not TO think too
nara OF poor FRANK ALMY.
purse Tor all expenses. and pay the doctor all 1
owe him; The rest take aud dispose OF as my LAST
viii IN the bureau dir cts. Good-by, Captain; 1
was driven 10 ii with suffering. God bless you
all for your Kindness 10 ne. FRANK.
On the reverse side of the sheet the follow
ing lines were written:
Good bye, dear friends. FRANK
cannot stand this terrible itching ana suffer-
ing ana no sleep. i shall Try and 20 down 10 The
conee-sIand aud theie end my suffering exist
elce IN HE closet. FRANK
REQUESTS MADE BY ALNY.
The will alluded to by the deceased made
a number OF requests to persons who aad
befriended him. To CORPORAL AVIAN, who
had often assisted him at tue ferry, he gave
Il valuable painting, and to Captain Lees lie
gave sold-headed cane and other personal
effects and appointed him administrator
Without bonds. The estate is valued at
$780, about Sll00 IF which is on deposit in
the Hibernta Bank. The money in bank
was signed over to Mrs. l. w. Lees on
January otb, which shows that A lmy had
conttmp lated suicide as early as that time.
Alter his leg was amputated below the
knee Amy suffered from painful affection
OF the nerves in the stump of the injured
limb. The pain was frequently so great
that he was Obliged to take morphine for
relief Coroner Glrwood was acquainted
with the deceased and prescribed for him
for several years, and lie last treated him
for rheumatism.
From the Receiving Hospital the remains
of Almy We're taken to the Morgue. where
an Inquest was held during the afternoon.
After nearing the testimony of those who
had known the deceased, the Coroner's jury
found that he committed suicide while
temporarily insane, caused by intense
suffering.