The morning call., 1891-10-21
LEAD In HIS BRAIN.
An Autopsy Solves the Mystery of
Mans Death.
Henry B. Harmon Lived Nearly Week With
Bullet in His Skull He Fired the
Fatal Shot in His Mouth.

II Is seldom that a man lives six days
with a 41-caliber bullet in his brain. yet
Henry B. Harmon went through that or
deal before death ended his sufferings.
1t will be remembered that Harmon was
found lying on the sidewalk on Eddy
street, near Leavenworth, at $50 o'clock
ON Wednesday afternoon. He was in an
unconscious condition when taken to the
new City Hall station and booked on
charge of drunkenness. A double-barreled
pistol of old-fashioned make was found in
his hip-pocket, and an additional charge OF
carrying weapon concealed was recorded
against him.
No one suspected at that time that he at
tempted suicide by discharging the odd
looking weapon in his mouth. From the
City Prison Hospital Harmon was removed
to the Receiving Hospital. where his all
ment was peculiarly puzzllng to the sur
geOns. There was an abrasion and discolor-
alton Of the left eye and bruise on the
back of the head 1t was supposed that he
bad fallen down willis intoxicated, struck
his head and received a conclusion OF the
brain.
NOTHING SAID OF SUICIDE.
AT one time Harmon recovered sufficiently
TO leave his cot and walk around the hos
pltal. He said nothing about having shot
himself, only giving his name and saying
that he lived with Michael McCaffrey at
433R Grove street. On Sunday his symp-
toms grew rapidly worse and he sank rap
idly until l 10 o'clock yesterday morning.
when the cord of life snapped. Fiom the
hospital his remains were borne to the
Morgue, where an inquest will be held at
10 80 o'clock this morning.
Police Surgeon Williams made an autopsy,
and when the head was sawed open Al
palihpr hul1at f0nui i'm bpitp1 in the
brain one inch from the back OF the skull.
Tie entrance OF the missile of death was
traced from the mouth, the bullet having
passed through the floor and roof of the
left orbit, turned at Fight angle and be-
came imbedded in the brain.
1t was the bullet that caused the discol
oratlon around the left eye. AT one time
DR.. Williams suspected that Harmon might
have shot himself in tie eye, but failed to
discover any traces of 2 wound with
probe. Where or under what circumstances
Harmon fired the fatal shot still remains
mystery.
COMPLAINED OF BEING UNwELL.
On Wednesday morning lie went to Hale
Bros Coffee and Spice Mills, at Sansome
and Ecker streets, where he had been EN-
pl0yed. He complained of being unwell
and drew 81. Then he entered saloon.
took two glasses OF beer, bought package
of cigarettes and departed. That was the
last time any Of his friends saw him until
after he was found unconscious.
II is supposed that he walked around after
shooting himself until his strength gave out
and lie fell upon the sidewalk. A puzzling
fact was that after the bullet entered his
brain the wound closed up and prevented
the flow of any blood. Had any blood flown
from his mouth the wound would have been
discovered.
The deceased was As years of age native
of England and an engineer by occupation.
He was a widower, and since his wife died,
TWO years ago, he was very despondeut at
times. Three young children survive him,
two OF them inmates of the Protestant Or
phan Asylum, ON Haight street.
Harmon had been resident of this city
for nearly twenty years, and was member
of Alcazar Council, No. II, Order of Chosen
Friends; Unity Lodge. Ancient Order of
Workmen. aud OF the Sons of st. George.
The remains were turned over to the Sons
OF St George for burial.
Bur naby Lodge Sons Of st. George. de-
cided last night to postpone the funeral OF
Harmon until after the inquest. Instead of
Thursday, as was at first intended, it will
occur on Sunday. Members of the order are
not satisfied that Harmon committed suicide
and maintain that he was victim Of foul
play.