The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-24
SLASHED WITH A RAZOR
A Young Girl Cuts Her Throat
From Ear to Ear.
How Brother Discovered His Sisters Chastity
Remains-TerTible Grief of the De-
ceased's Father.

has taken place in this city occurred yester-
day. The fact that the suicide was girl in
the full bloom of maidenhood gives an addi.
honal melancholy tinge to the circum.
stances attending the occurrence. The in
cldents succeeding the tragic event were OF
highly dramatic and pathetic character,
and those who witnessed them will never
forget the awful intensity of a fathers grief
in the supreme moment of his agony on
learning of favorite daughters ghastly
end.
The suicide was Clementina N. Demar-
geon. young French girl, and the un-
happy event took place at her residence,
1874 Pine street. The girl was 90 years of
age and resided with her father, August
Demargeon, and two brothers. Louis and
Hyppolte. She was the housekeeper for
the family. as the mother of the children
has been dead many years. AS house.
keeper she prepared the meals and at
tended to all the details of the household.
Y esterday morning Louis Demargeon left
for San Rafael on pleasure trip. The girl
prepared his breakfast and seemed
cheerful and affectionate as usual
AT the lunch hour the father and
second brother were present and partook
to visit some friends. That was the last
time they saw the girl alive. At the repast
she did not betray any unusual symptoms
that would arouse their suspicious. The
neighbors next door stated that they heard
her singing while washing the dishes after
the noon repast. What caused the girl to
commit the rash act or the time at which
she took her own life will never be known.
A CHASTITY DISCOVERY
About half-past in the evening Louis
Demargeon returned from his pleasure ex-
cursion and entered his house. The Rc-
nIrG Gfnn Ifrrht -. !,
went in the parlor, and then in the kitchen,
but could not find his sister. He called her
name, but met with no response. Or going
upstairs he went into her room, but she did
not answer to her name. He lit lamp in
his own room and then went into hers,
and the sight that met his eyes
was CHASTITY one. On chair
in front Of the bureau mirror. the girl sat
dead, her throat cut from ear 10 ear and her
head hanging back over the back of the
chair. The breast of the girl was deluged
with f1ood. which had flowed down and set
tied in pool in her lap. On the floor near
her was razor, the blade of which had been
tied with string in order that the glittering
steel should not slip back when drawn
across the throat. This clearly showed pre-
meditation.
As soon as the boy could realize the ter
ribe misfortune that had befallen the
family he rushed from the house aud noti-
fled some neighbors. A telephone message
was stub IlOlll All uTuR-SUOr6 LOT q
police officer, and Officer Sullivan responded
from the North End Station. The officer,
on learning what had occurred, took charge
OF the room and promptly notified the Coro-
ner's office.
While waiting for the Morgue wagon the
brother of the dead girl. Officer Sullivan and
several reporters stood in front of the
dwelling talking about the sad affair. just
then Louis Demargeon saw large, heavy
built man with large beard coming quickly
toward the house.
DON'T TELL HIM!
'My Godl there is my father" he said.
wildly, throwing himself against the gate.
Don't tell him; don't tell him."
When the father came up Officer Sullivan
took him aside and in a few words revealed
what had taken place. The old man could
not realize what was the matter or under
stand why the crowd had gathered around
his house.
The son Louis then rushed forward and
spoke in French. Louis caught his father
to prevent him from falling. The old
and screamed aloud in his agony.
He wanted to rush into the house and see
his daughter, but was prevented BY Officer
Sullivan and the son, who thought it might
unbaiance his mind, so terrible was his
manifestation OF grief at the awful act of
arrived the Deputy Coroner searched the
room, but found no letter or paper throwing
any light on the suicide.
The rash act is attributed to temporary
insanity. The girl was not known, accord
ing to the statements of her relatives to
have any love affair. She was always
cheerful and busy and kept the house neat
and trim. The kitchen was model of
cleanliness and order, when seen last night,
everything polished and in its place.
HER MELANCHOLY MANNER.
The brother said thai some weeks ago his
sister stated that she was not feeling we'll
of late; that she could not sleep we'll and
that she thought she was going out of her
head. Several Of the neighbors stated that
recently the girl appeared to have lost her
cheerful spirits. and to have acted in mel
ancholy manner. These are the only clews
that could be obtained in regard to the
causes which led the girl to take the rash
step.
When the BODY was being removed from
the house to the Morgue wagon, the father
raised another scene and wanted 70 throw
himself upon the rude coffin which held the
remains. He was SO agoniZed by grief that
he could not stand. II was some time be-
fore his son could lead him away from the
house. The neighbors who witnessed the
fathers grief were affected to tears. All of
them spoke highly of the girl as a we'll
behaved and dutiful daughter.
The father has been employed by Whittier
Fuller 81 Co. for the last twenty-five years
as II mirror maker. His son Luuis is pat
tarn maler Anothar son rasidaS in Saattla