The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-24
A LEAD MINE
IN HIS HEAD.
c. E. Olsen Takes FOur Pistol
Shots at Himself.
Ola Meiggs Wharf the Scene OF His Suicidal
Attempt-An UHfounded Rumcr That
olsen Had Been Murdered.

George Collins, the assistant marine reporter
Tor the Merchants Exchange at Melggs wharf
was standing IN front Of his Office, a moment or
I've alter O'clock last evening, and noticed
heavy set man, wearing a sl0uch hat pulled
down over bis eyes walking toward the wharf
from the seaWall.
There was nothing very noticeable about the
man, ana when Collins saw him pass the build
iBgs Oh the new wharf and make bis way to-
ward The large rocks and old piles that mark
the spot where the original Melggs Wharf was,
ne thought that he was probably one of the crew
OF scOw that lay anchored close by, aud that be
was going on board OF her.
It was quite dark and Collins, even Il be had
wished 20 do so, could not have seen the further
actions Of the man after he passed bis Office Not
over i've minutes later Collins heard a pistol
shot apparently from he vicinity Of The end OF
the old wharf, and after about i've minutes more
had elapsed he heard another Collins looked
around, but OF course saw no hing then because
Of tie darkness.
ANOTHER REPORT HEARD.
Passing through 10 the rear end Of the Office,
when Is Enclosed 10 glass for the purpose Of
noticing clearly passing vessels, Collins was
looking acIO ss the BAY, when he saw fash OF
name and heard another pistol shot The Hight
Indicated thai the shot had been fired near the
old Wharl ending. Calling 10 bis aid a North
Beach bOatman named Bean. Collins hurried
over 10 tile rocks, and after a few minutes
search found lie man whom he had noticed be-
fore, lying on his left side between some large
rocks.
Before they could approach him closer be fred
another shot. Collins aud Bean, being unable to
determine Rhei her the shot was fred at them,
in The air or al himself by tie man, retired out
OF the way and rang iB Tor the patrol wagon.
Policemen Lyons, NotI and AVIAN came With the
wagon, aud guided by Collins found the man
lying inSen>ibl among the rocks. He was Gov
cred with blood, ana 10 his night hand was
6-cbambeI / X J. 80 caliber pistol with four
chambers discharged A pint whisky flask
about one-quarter Iull was also found BY bis
side.
LAID on THE TABLE.
When laid on lie operating table It was found
thal the patient whose name IS b lleyed 10 be
G. L. Olsen from a receipt discovered on his per.
sou for pistol bought on tie 10 b lasi., had
one gun shot high up Ia the middle Of Ia fore
head, Tue bullet ranging 10 aud not making It's
exit suOlheF transverse gun wound from tie
back OF lie head making IFS eXil over The right
ear; and two guushOt wounds IN The back Of the
head slightly TO The right side. Olsen was in-
sensible but gTOdueu heavily.
The Police surgeon after examining the wounds
stated that lie was fatally wounded, and he was
placed on a cot IN one Of the wards. Tie officers
VINO brought Olsen to Tie hospital seemed GER
tain that he had been shot IN fight al the WHAT
though they had not obtained Collins statement
when they lett with him for the hospital SO
positive was one OF them that murder had been
committed that Captain Lees detailed number
Of detectives TO make an Investigation.
UNDOUBTEDLY A SUICIDE.
Detectives Seymour aud Whitaker soon ascer-
tainrd that because lWO boys, who we're drown
iBE dog about 800 feet from where Olsen was
found lying, had been scared by the shoot Ing
and were seen running away soon after, the
conclusion was arrived at that a murder had
been committed.
The pawn-brOker who sold Olsen the pistol
Identified both man and the weapon. That ne
committed suicide Is now thoroughly admitted,
The heated imagination OF jealous policeman
being the only ground for suppOsing that he had
been murdered.
Olsen Is about 80 years OF age, probably a
sailor. Nothing was found on him by which lie
could be further Identified.
A. an early hour this morning Olsen was stu
sliVe, but unconscious. His recovery Is not be-
neYed 10 be possible.