The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-04-02
HE Met A PAUPER'S Fate.
Strange Death of MilliOnaire's
Only Son.
Harry C. Woodrow of Cincinnati Dies in San
Francisco Under Very Peculiar
Circumstances

Daniel T. Woodrow, retired millionaire
and iron-manufacturer Of Cincinnati, Ohio
has just been made aware of the fact that
his only son died in San Francisco over a
month ago and was buried in the pOtter's
field. The Woodrows are among the most
prominent residents of Cincinnati, and the
news of young Woodrow's death In San
Francisco, on the 9th of February last, has
caused a small sensation in the OHIO city.
Yesterday CALL reporter discovered
some more or less sensational facts in con-
nectiOn with the death and burial Of the
young man.
Early last year Harry c. Woodrow, who
had been prominent in Cincinnati social
and business circles, came u San Francisco
for his health, and engaged lodgings In a
pretty fiat az 9l2 Larkin street. He had been
victim OF the liquor habit and came 10 the
coast TO recuperate. He was furnished a
liberal allowance OF. money each month,
dressed fairly well, and while he did not
abstain from drink, he did not go on pro-
tracted sprees. He received a monthly re-
nittance and other letters from home in
care OF Manager Winslow of the Boston
Rubber-shoe Company at IL Second street.
Winslow was an old acquaintance and knew
Woodrow's family.
For short time after his arrival Wood
row was employed at the Pacific Rolling
mills, having a knowledge of the iron
business, but for the last six months had
no employment
TAKEN To THE HOSPITAL.
On the morning of January 81, about
2:30 o'clock, Woodrow was brought TO
the City Receiving Hospital In the patrol
wagon from the corner Of California and
Hyde streets, which was not far from his
lodgings. lie was booked at the hospital as
residing at a Second street. and, according
to the records, was treated for fractured
nose and a confusion of the eye and knee.
Police Officer Gleason, who brought him TO
the hospital, reported that the man was
drunk and had fallen down. The follow
ing day Woodrow was taken to the City ard
County Hospital. where, on the 9th of Feb
ruary. he died. The attending physician
reported 70 the Health Office that death en-
sued from a compression of the brain fol-
lowing fall Coroner Garwood, without
apparently making an investigation. af-
6rmed on the death certificate that death
was due 10 accident. No effort was made to
find the friends OF Woodrow, and his body
was turned over to the city undertakers TO
be buried in the pOtter's field. AS many Of
such cases are turned over 10 the medical
colleges. ii is possibility that the body Of
Harry Woodrow was utilized as subject
in the diSsecting-rOOm. No record can be
found OF his money or other property, and
at the hospital ii was learned that his cloth
ing was burned. The records give lis oc-
cupation as that OF a mechanic, aged 81
years and a native OF Ohio.
An lNNESIlGAIION.
A careful Investigation yesterday re-
suited in the following additional facts be-
| Ing discovered. Among the acquaintances
made by Woodrow In the vicinity of his
lodgings on Larkin street was q man
named Perry, employed as a fireman ut tho
engiDe-house near the corner of California
and Hyde streets, where the accident on the
night Of January 20 is said to have occurred.
Perry was earning $50 a month as an extra
fireman, and when he met young fellow
| like Woodrow with plenty OF money be
made the best Of the situation and the two
men became great friends.
On the night OF January 20 Perry was not
ut work. IL being his night off. About mid
night, while the other fremen were off with
the engine answering an alarm, Perry and
Woodrow were seen to enter the engine
house. When the fremen returned Perry
was not there, but they found Woodrow
| lying in the enginc-house beneath platform
used for storing hay, and finding him In
| Jured rested under the supposilion that be
| had gone into the hay NOW to sleep and had
| fallen off and hurt himself. The firemen
| walked him TO the corner of California and
| Hyde streets, and called the patrol wagon
and he was sent to the hospital. He had no
money on his person although he had re-
ceved q remittance from Cincinnati Of
| several hundred dollars onlya few days be-
| fore.
PERRY DISAPPEARS.
What adds more mystery to this case Is
| the fact that Perry some days after the
| death OF Woodrow, In February, got to-
| gether his effects, resigned his position as
| fireman and left the city for parts unknown.
| 1t is said that he is in Portland, Or Parties
| living in the vicinity OF the engine house,
| which, as stated, is only few corners from
| Larkin street, where Woodrow had his
| lodgings, stated yesterday that the young
| man had always plenty Of money. and for
| month or more before his accident the
| fireman, Perry. had assisted him in spend
| ing IL.
The whole case as developed shows that
there has been possible neglect upon the
| part of the city officials, the Coroner failing,
| apparently, TO make any investigation as to
| the cause of death. and the hospital authori-
| ties making no effort to find the address Of
| Woodrow's friends.
Curiously enough nothing has been said
in the newspapers here regarding Wood
| rows death. The only item concerning him
that has ever appeared here was the follow
Ing. which was printed in an evening paper
on January 81:
Harry &. Woodrow, one of New York's
Four Hundred, was treated in the Receiving
Hospital last evening for a broken nose, re-
| ceived by falling while drunk. he came to
! California in order to break himself of the
liquor habit His father Is New York
| lawyer, and Is said to be wealthy"
! 1t is understood that tile wealthy parents
| of young Woodrow will have the remains
| removed from the potter's field to the fam
| lily plat In the Evergreen Cemetery at Gin
| cinnati, unless it Is found that the body was
turned over to Qpe OF the medical colleges
for dissecting purposes.
Have Beecham's Pills ready In the household.