The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-02-13
IT'S ACCIDENTAL"
Death of Joseph Jacobs by Gas
AsphyxiatiOn.
Life Insurance Policies Prompt the Coroner to
Think 1t Was suicide-Escaps of the
Widow and Daughter.

To be inquistive in the presence of the
dead is most unpleasant but Coroner's dep
uties are often compelled to do so in the
performance Of their duties. Such was the
case yesterday morning, when Deputy Cor
Oner BridgewOod entered the residence at
807 Ellis street, where Joseph Jacobs, re-
tired dry-goods jobber, had been found dead
in bed from gas asphyxiatiOn.
Jacobs retired at the usual hour on Thurs
day night in small room adjoining that
occupied by his wife and daughter. About
5 o'clock yesterday morning Mrs. Jacobs
suddenly awoke to find herself almost suf-
located from gas. Her daughter was already
unconscious. She called one OF her sons,
who entered his fathers room and found
him dead. A physician was summoned
and the young woman was soon resusci-
tated.
COATS HUNG FROM THE FIXTURE.
When Deputy Bridgewood entered the
house the sons of the deceased at once be-
gan 10 impress upon him that death was the
result OF an accident The gas was turned
partly on when the room was entered, and
the overcoat aud coat of the deceased were
hanging over the fixture. The Jacobs
brothers explained that their father had
dANa 4 D iAAhS do OOdS Oh IiiO hASdANs ouO tuO
cock had probably been turned on In this
way.
They were perfectly willing to waive Off
cial investigation and an inquest, but
BridgewOOd asked a few leading questions
to which contradictory statements were
made. He was also refused an interview
with the widow, as they said she was too
Ill to be seen and moreover under Doctors
care. The deputy also learned that the de-
hal1 Inc raYapa nj in rFO
societies the Ancient Order Of United
Workmen and the Knights Of Honor.
AN INQUEST DECIDED UPON.
For various reasons BridgewCOd decided
that an inquest would be the proper thing,
and then one of the brothers. who had re-
lated how his mother had called him to his
fathers room, went on to state that the es-
Gaping gas had caused his mother and sis
ter to both become unconscious.
How did your mother call you, IL she
was unconscious" asked BridgewOOd.
We'll" answered young Jacobs, 'She
was not out of her senses at that time, but
my sister was"
'If thar's the case" said the official
coOlly, 1--WE will hold an inquest"
Coroner GarwOOd approved OF the depnty's
action, and commenced the inquest at $3.50
o'clock in the aftern Don. The only wit
nesses heard were Simon and Moses Jacobs,
who identified the deceased as their father.
He was aged 80 years and native of Ger
many. They admitted that he was inclined
to be Incorporate in his habits, but had
suffered no recent financial losses, and they
knew Of no reason why he should commit
suicide.
WARNING GIVEN BY MRS. JACOBS.
The witness Simon arrived home between
II and u O'Clock on Thursday night and re-
tired to his room. His mother called him
between and o'clock in the morning, and
told him the house was full of escaping gas.
He entered his fathers room and found him
dead in bed. The gas jet was turned partly
Oh, and two coats hung upon the fixture.
Moses Jacobs said his mother had not yet
been informed of the death. She was very
sick, and he feared the shock upon her Sys-
TEN, which was already shattered fIom pro-
lOnged Illness.
The further hearing was then postponed
until Tuesday afternoon in order to hear
the statement Of the widow.