The morning call., 1893-09-23
T. Wales, an Old Pioneer,
Kills Himself.
EFFIE MEREDITH MYSTERY.
A Fall From the FIyer-Work on the
Boulevard Teachers Insti-
tute-Park for Alameda.

eide at his room at the Wemmer House, 416
Eighth street. early yesterday morning.
The reasons for taking the step are given
in note which the deceased wrote to his
friend, Coroner EYeTs. and left on table
beside his bed. Il read as follows:
THURSDAY, September 81, 1898. 1OP.M
Henry EUerS. COrOner-DEAR HENRY: This
is case of suicide by chloroform. Born at
Syracuse, N Y, February ;, 1924.
II Is my judgment that when a man is old and
poor be might better be out OF the world than
ln 1t. Good-Dy. /. L. WALES.
On Thursday Mr.. Wales was about the
Office of the Alameda Macadamizng Com
pany. where he was employed. aud to all
appearances was in excellent spirits
Thursday night be left two packages at
the office, one for A. Z. Arrowsmith, Sec
retary of the company. and one for j. L.
Hall.
dictionary and other books which were
marked with my love" The following
note was also inclosed:
Dear Friend Please accept these from an
old friend. If l find Slicer over there l will
try and let you know. Good-by. T. p. WALES.
The bundle left Mr.. Hall contained some
clothing and books.
When Mr.. Wales retired Thursday
night he did not entirely undress, but
look al tU6 BeuClOtueS OH the ped. tie
saturated sponge with chlOrofOrm, which
be placed to his mouth and went to sleep.
The evidences are that Wales woke up
later on, and finding this method Of suicid-
ing unsuccessful procured his pistol, and,
leaning far out over the bed, placed the
muzzle tn his right temple and fired The
ball lodged ln his brain and caused instant
death, and the body plunged forward to
the floor and lay there on Its face.
The discovery of The bloody deed was
made by a cham bermaid, who unlocked
the door of Mr.. Wales room at 80 yes
terday morning, thinking the occupant
had left for the day.
The shot that ended Wales life was not
heard bv any OF the Toomers at the house
fact which is the more remarkable be-
canse the partitions between the rooms
are very thin.
The body was at once removed to the
morgue by Deputy Coroners Hart and
EverS, and an inquest held later in the
day. A verdict of suicide while laboring
under dependency was returned.
The funeral will take place next Sunday
afternoon at o'clock from Masonic Hall
under the auspices of Live OAK Lodge No.
81. Free and Accepted Masons.
The deceased was the Oldest Mason. in
duration Of membership, in Alameda
County, having been a member for FORTY
eight years He was 90 years of age and
came to California July g, 1849. He has
resided In Oakland for thirty years, and
was long engaged in the macadamizing
business with c. D. Bates
Al one time he resided in Portland Or.
and at another in Los Angeles, where be
conducted the bookstore of. OImsiead q
Wales on First street. between Spring and
Main.
Deceased was n member of the Society
of California Pioneers, and for five years
held the office of master of Live Oak
Lodge No. 81, +. and a. Nj. He was
al6
grand lecturer Of the Grand Lodge.
He was born at Syracuse, n. Y. Febru-
ary ., 1924. was never married and leaves
no relatives on this coast.
The Mere dith Case
The sudden disappearance of Miss Ff1e
Meredith of Berkeley is fast becoming
mystery. No cews whatever have been
found that might lead to a discovery of
her whereabouts, and her friends and rel
atlves are distracted with grief and reluc-
family forced to admit the possibility of
foul play.
When the story first came out it was
thought that she had eloped with Motor-
man Holland of the Grove-street line and
been married to him at Sacramento. bpt
all this Holland denies and supports his
statement with evidence that is indisput-
able.
Mrs. Fowler. the aunt of the missing
girl AMI with whom she lived. said that
shortly after Miss Meredith's disappear
ance she received from her a letter mailed
from Sacramento, in which the runaway
wrote that she was married to Holland in
that city. This is now believed to have
been told for the purpose Of shielding the
glrPs good name.
Miss Meredith's father, LeSsie Meredith.
Is stevedore and lives at the Russ House
IN stockton. He has been telephoned to
repeatedly, and VIII probably come to OAK
land soon and assist in The search.
Ia
OF inquiry 10 Stockton yesterday with re-
gard to the disappearance and received in
reply the following dispatch:
STOCKTON, Sept. 22.-Ehie Meredith has not
been ID stockton since July 4. when she came
mere win male companion on an excursion
boat from San Francesca. The two put up az
tDe Russ House, and when the proprietor saw
the condition of bings lie objected and sent for
ner father. who was steambOating on The river
The couple disappeared.
The father said he would follow the girl TO
her Berkeley home and have her looked after
To-day lie could not br found although he sill
lives at the Russ House. A telephone message
rom the elrPs aunt requested his appearance
there and as he cannot be found today he il
supposed 10 have taken the early train for
Berkeley.
A telephone message to the County
Clerk at Sacramento brought the reply
that no marriage license had been issned
to girl OF the name of Meredith
Miss Meredith was employed in Briggs
mflllnery-stOre on Broadway, Oakland.
and was universally liked. 1t is said of
her, however, that she was inclined to
boast of her popularity with the conductors
and motormen.
About week ago she received SIS from
nor father, of which she had 81 when she
disappeared.
on Thursday afternoon last, about 3
O'CLOCK, little boy brought her a note to
the mlilinery-store. After Effie read the
let'er she burst into tears ana asked to bs
allowed to go home, as her guardian, Mrs.
Fowler, was very i'll. Tne permission Yves
granted and Miss Effie, clad in her work
ing clothes only, and with S7in her pocket
walked out of the store and has not been
seen since.
Teachers VIII Meet.
The Teachers Institute of Alameda
County, including Oakland City, will con-
vene at Hamilton Hall, corner of Thir-
teenth and Jefferson streets, Tuesday, Sep
temoer 20, and continue in session four
days superintendent Frick has spared no
pains or expense to make this institute a
success. and has prepared an elaborate
programme.
During each morning session the insti-
tut6 Will be divided into Secfione vbara