The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-26
IT'S MY LAST DAY."
4 StOneeutter's Shocking Suicide
While Crazed by Drink.
Harry ]. Smith Almost Declpitates Himself
With Big Dull Knife While in
Fit OF Delirium Tremens.

This is my last day to Iive," walled
Harry j. Smith, a stoneeutter, early yester-
day morning, a few minutes before he
ended his life in most shocking manner
lie killed himself on vacant lot on Fol-
som street, between Ninth and Tenth, by
cutting his throat with knife.
Smith lived In the lodging house at 1886
Folsom street. kept by Mrs. Sarah Ward
For two weeks he neglected his work and
drank heavily, until his debauch wound up
In ut Of delirium tTemens. He became so
violent Thursday night that his friends
found ii necessary to strap him down upon
bed. He struggled violently throughout
the night, and at times let forth piercing
yells. Before bis friends departed for work
yesterday morning they released him, be-
cause his fit of delirium seemed to have
passed away. After being liberated he
walked downstairs into the dining-room
To the surprise of Mrs. Ward, he removed
his coat and vest and unbuttoned his shirt
collar. The landlady inquired what he III
tended to do.
WANTED 4 KNIFE.
give me knife" Smith shouted as he
exposed his throat.
What do you want of knife?" asked
the frightened Mrs. Ward.
N going to do it myself" replied Smith,
as he drew finger suggestively across his
throat; this is my last day to live" Saying
this lie seized at tabe-knife with the in
tention OF carrying out the bloody work
then and there. Mrs. Ward prevented him
from getting the knife and at the same time
screamed loudly for help. Antoine Serfei,
the proprietor Of fruit and fish market at
1865 Folsom street, heard the cries and ran
to her assistance He seized Smith and
forced him out Of the house into the street
Smith scampered up the street, and as he
passed Serfefs place he seized butchers
large knife used in cleaning fish. The
weapon was dull and rusty, but in his
frenzy Smith made il answer his purpose
From the market he ran into the vacant lot
adjoining, hourishing the knife in threat
enlng manner as Serfei approached. Then
he turned the weapon against himself and
drew the blade across his throat.
A TERRIBLE WOUND.
The weapon was sawed back and forth
across his throat until the neck was almost
severed from ear to ear. At last the maniac,
with blood gushing from the Jagged wound.
fell on his face in the sand. After strug-
Cling moment in the blood-stained sand
the wounded mans contortions ceased. His
life had ended and his threat had been full
filed.
Serfei shuddered with horror as he went
forward aud looked at the CHASTITY spectacle
presented by the suicide. When lie recov-
cred from the shock he telephoned to the
Coroner and the body was removed to the
M0rgue. There an examination showed
that the head was almost severed from the
body and the gaping wound in the throat
was filled with sand and cIotted blood.
The deceased was aged 81 years, native
OF Ireland and stonecutter by occupation
He rad been out Of work for some time.
During the afternoon an inquest was held
and the testimony revealed the circum-
stances already related. The Coroner's
jury returned verdict Of suicide while In
sane from excessive drinking.