The morning call., 1893-04-05
DEATHS MYSTERY.
1t Attends a Reporters
Sudden End.
John II. Mackey of the "CaIP' Dies
Unexpectedly - Heart Disease
the Probable Cause.

Special Officer Bidell found John 81.
Mackey. reporter employed on THE CALL.
In an unconscious condition. lying prone on
the sidewalk on Valencia street, near Nine
tenth, shortly alter A. NJ. yesterday.
The tfficer at once notified the Seven
| teenth street station, but before the patrol
wagon arrived Police Sergeant Price, who
happened 10 be passing the place. made a
curs0ry examination of Mackey aud the
premises.
The sergeant came TO the conclusion that
it was case due to unknown causes, there
being absolutely no indication of violence.
Mackey was taken to the police station,
and from there to the City and County
Hospital. at which latter place he died at
A. NJ
DIR. Titus. who attended the man, said he
could find no bruises or abrasions, but lie
at once concluded that Mackey was in a
dying condition, his pulse being very low
and other indications pointing In the same
direction.
Mackey was 25 years of age and the only
son OF John Mackey, the superintendent
of Haggins' Rancho del Paso. For some
years the young man has been alternately
employed on the. local newspapers as re-
porter, spending short period East as
purchasing agent for w. o. 3. Macdon-
Ough's breeding establishment.
few months ago he married n young
lady from this city in Chicago, who re-
turned with him when he left Macdonough's
employ, some six months ago, but shortly
afterward fell i'll and died.
Ever since her demise Mackey had been
very respondent at times, and at other
times he tried TO throw himself into a whirl-
pool of excitement to find f0rgettulness, for
the death of his young wife was very
heavy blow to him. or late he had fire.
quently complained of having heart trouble,
and sometimes acted strangely.
He was member of the Press Club of
San Francisco and attended the clubs
celebration Of All-FOols' day on Saturday
night, hut somehow lie was too morose in
spirit TO enjoy the fun.
On Monday night one OF his sisters was
married, and John had been to the we'd
ding. In fact, when found lying on the
sidewalk he had on the evening dress
clothes In which he attended the Wedding.
Very few minutes before Officer Bidell
discovered Mackey on Valencia street he
had been 10 his family residence, where he
had lately resided, and after ringing the
doorbell Of the house he showed card under
the door, which said that he had tried to
gain admittance, but had failed. Guess
you don't want me, LIE wrote in explana-
tiOn.
The detectives detailed on the case were
satisfied that Mackey died OF heart failure,
although many wild stories of murder and
suicide were circulated when the case first
became known.
1t seems, however, that the troubles
young Mackey had during the last six
months had become too heavy for his not
too strong constitution TO bear, snd that
after a final family Misunderstanding, or
something of that sort, he became SO ex-
cited as TO fall victim to a d isease which
brings death quickly and with little warn
ing.
Msckey had hosts of friends, and be was
very popular among his fellOw-reporters as
well as the hundreds of people who have
known him since his childhood's days, He
was we'll educated and at one time had the
priesthood In view. He possessed many
manly virtues, which won him general re-
spect and esteem. He was energetic. hon
orable, reliable aud conscientious, and ex
hibited many of the finer qualities of hear.
which win true friends for those who pos
sess them.
Mackey's last work in the intensely busy
sphere OF newspaper labor was an Investi-
CATION OF the murder of Peter Fannetti In
San Mateo County, where he had also been
looking into the case of the mysterious
grave near San Bruno. He finished his last
detail at l A. NJ. Sunday morning and on
Tuesday fellow reporter was investigating
his own death.
The body was taken to the Morgue.
where an autopsy was made last night by
DR.. A. T. O'Brien. He found that the
brain was slightly cOngested. but not suflis
GENTLY to have caused death in itself.
There were no marks of violence on tn e
body aud 1t was accordingly decided to
send the stoma' h to a chemist for analysis