The morning call., 1893-01-08
TIRED OF LIVING.
So They Jumped Into the
Chilly Waters.
An Old Man Succeeds in Ending His
Life, but a Young One Is
Rescued.

Yesterday was an unusually quiet day
along the city front, although the fine
weather brought out a great crowd of
idlers, who lay around summing themselves
Oh lumber piles and other soft places.
But one vessel of any kind came through
the heads all day. That was the steamer
Arago, and her arrival did not create any
hustle.
To keep the day from being altogether
fiat there was q suicide and an attempted
suicide to even things
An unknown old man committed suicide
by jumping from the bow of the ferry
steamer Bay City on the 2:45 trip yesterday
afternoon.
How he got on the boat is something of
mystery. as his appearance was very odd
and would have been noticed by the gate
keeper. but the latter does not remember
letting him in.
Soon after the boat was started he went
TO the barkeeper and tried to pawn his
spectaces for drink Of whisky. The
dispenser of drinks did not want them, and
the old man then walked to the forward
end of the boat and laid down a much
battered silk hat and several other useless
articles and jumped into the bay.
Captain Bradley had a boat lowered at
once and the man was soon picked mp and
takeh ashore.
At the ferry-house all hands helped rub
the man and stmulants were administered,
but he could not be resuscitated. An ambu-
lance was sent for and the man taken to the
Receiving Hospital. where he died in a short
time.
younger man tried to end his existence
the same way at the Mail dock early yeSter-
day morning, but was saved from 4 watery
grave by some fishermen who happened to
be near by.
His name is Alfred Kitchen, and be came
to this city a short time ago.
He tried the usual method of seeing the
sights. aud when inhaling the JOYS of
waterfront saloon WAS robbed of all he
had
He wandsred around the streets penniless
and on Friday night applied for shelter at
When he got out yesterday morning he
was very Respondent and concluded to END
his life in the manner stated.
After being pulled from the water he was
taken TO the old City Prison to dry his
clothes, and while here received visit from
members of the Salvation Army. They
promised to care for him until he finds
work.
Young Kitchen is said to be the son of a
wealthy dry-goods merchant in Toronto,
Canada. and this was his first attempt 10
see the world.
The ship Empire sailed for Puget Sound
yesterday 10 load lumber for Cork under
orders.
The Empire is vessel that has always
had some trouble every time size has come
in this pert, as she is owned by several
people who quarrel about her profits. Sac
is very old and rotten, and sailors predict
that she will never reach the Atlantic even
II she does reach the sound.
Several shipping men were conversing in
the Merchants Exchange yesterday after
noon and IN some way mentioned the name
OF CAPTAIN Blelhen. The others all said at
once, why, he's dead"
was not and others were asked about it.
With very few exceptions all who were
asked about It said they were sure he was
dead as they had attended his funeral
An investigation revealed the fact that
CAPTAIN j. III. Blethep. one of the first men
that ever brought ship tbr0ugh the Golden
Gate. is still living and resides with his
children on Devisadero street. He is over
so years of age and does not go out much,
bu. he is still in good health and may live
for years.
The telephone system for the city front,
which WhariiDger Boobar has been having
fixed. was completed yesterday and there s
now perfect communication from the Mail
dock to Meggs wharf.
The whalers Wanderer and Orca will go
to Center street to-day to be fitted out and
supplied with stores. The work will be
dona as rapidly as possible, as the captains
are In hurry to 60 to sea.