The morning call., 1893-07-15
/" BIG JIM'S" JUMP.
Tired of Life, Broke and
No Work.
ONCE A PROSPEROUS ARTISAN
He Ended His Career From the Stern
of the Steamer Piedmont.
His Letters.

"Big Jim," one OF the best.known mem.
bers of the "frlnge of theatrical employees
in this city, ended career of drunken.
ness and debauchery by jumping overheard
from The ferry steamer Piedmont last night
as the boat was entering the slip at the
Oakland Mole. A boat was lowered, but
the body of the suicide never rose to the
surface after his plunge.
Huver left several letters and a valise
lying on the steamers deck when b 3 made
the jump.
Baltazer Huver, better known as James
B. Huver. and universally known as "Bie
Jim" by the theatrical people resident Ind
visiting this coast. was native Of Roches-
ter. N. Y. AS youth he was apprenticed
to the machinist's trade, and served his
time, saving some money.
He then met companions in the theatri-
cal advertising business. and abandoning
his trade Joined with several men and
come to California. He located in San
Francisco and wen: into partnership, as a
lithographing and advertising firm. with
one Cullen. who is now with one of the
leading theaters in Pttsbnrg, Pa.
The firm of Cullen & Huver prospered
until Huver began to drink. and then it
went from bad TO worse until Cullen with
drew from the concern and went East.
big JIM" as he was known among
theatrical men. started out and earned a
precarous livelihood here, there and
everywhere among the theaters about
town. but made his headquarters at the
Bush street Theater and from the en-
ployes borrowed enough money to buy
drinks, living on the free lunch At the sa-
looms. where he spent tile dimes borrowed
from actors and actresses.
About year ago big Jim'S" mother
died back in Rochester. N. Y, and the
news sobered him somewhat. His friends
thought it a good time to try for his refor-
nation and tried to coax him to go TO the
Home of The Inebriates. big Jim" would
not 60. and then it was that his friends
had him arrested tor habitual drunken
ness and sent to the House of Correction
and came out of his confinement apparently
a new man.
He was given new suit of clothes and
full outfit besides, and it was hoped he
would brace up and do better. but in less
than tw months he drifted back TO his old
habits. and finally his friends ceased to do
more for him than 10 buy meal when he
was hungry.
big JIM" boarded the Piedmont, the
favorlte steamer tor suicides. at 1905
o'clock last night. He carried valiSe
with him and seemed in good spirits. Dur
ing the day he told several people that he
had the contract for billing and lith0gr phi
ing the Oakland races, and on the strength
of this statement borrowed from half
dozen people small amounts.
On the Gamer a deckhand who saw Big
Jim walking about the deck says that he
kept muiterng to himself and looking into
the water. The deckhand watched him
all across the bay. but when the boat was
nearing the Oak land Mole concluded that
the man had no intention Of drowning
himself. He had hardly gone forward to
help with the landing lines when Big Jim
took a ran and jump and plunged into the
I bay fss IN ssss ssera eff shs yessss ~r,~z
The alarm was given and a boat quickly
lowered. but no trace OF tue man was ever
seen after he jumped
On the deck # the steamer WAS found
an envelope, on which was written:
o. K-Pick II up.
July IA.
To the Finder-Open II.
When the envelope was opened 1t was
found to contain the following letters:
SAN FRANCISCO. July 10.
My name is James 3. Huver, better knowing
as Big jim, Busll-s reel Iheater.
am out of work and have no money so good.
by 10 all my friends and will Drver fOrgit my
dear friend j. j. Gottlob, manager Cal Tneaier
/ have gone where my mother Is. JIM.
On scrap of paper was written:
Send me to S. f. and put me just as you
please. JAS. HUvER C"Big Jim'').
On sheet of MANILA paper was the
following:
SAN FRANCISCO. July IA.
To my friend. J. J. GottloJ, Esq. and my
friends in the city III Ihaue anyl: nave been
trying to do this for two weeks. l used to take
boat two or three times week. bur was
no game enough. Friend, would be
here. but l have no work and no money
l did telegraph for some 10 man in New
York to send me a little to help me out. but did
rot gel 1t. Thisman told me he would be my
friend, but he proved he Is not. give my body
TO my friends and put me In box ana put me
just where you please If / am found l remain
yours truly, JAMES B. HUvER,
"Bg JIM"
Just the same every day.
On the reverse of the sheet Huver wrote
If only some one wonld know how did suffer
as long as could No money. no friends. MI
right in California. but not in New York, only he
tries TO be- Gottlob knows him and have given
him and his partner. the black BLACK, mai, also ms
good fellow but he don't know how. God bless
his wife. She Is good to the poor. and II had
70 hsr ne woua o Eo1
graphed to my brotherm u Jacob Mitzger, 3S9
Jay street, Rochester, n. Y.
The suicide was undoubtedly due to de-
lirium tremens. AS TO who ia meant by the
man in New York theatrical men say that
they think it was Charles Hoyt. but il SO
the reference to Hoyt's wife must be made
from a remembrance of past favOrs, as
Mrs. Hoyt (nee Flora Walsh) has been
dead some months.
Certain it is that Big Jim has gone.
Everywhere in theatrical circles last light
sorrow was expressed at his tragic taking
off, and il his body is recovered it will be
given q Christian burial at the expense Of
those who knew Jim when he was "the
same every day." and who cannot forget
him.