The herald., 1894-06-15
DEATH PREFERRED TO DISGRACE,
Fletcher O. Atkinson Commits
Suicide in the County Jail.
A Bright Young Man Who Had Got
Into Serious Trouble.
A Suicide Who Maintained His De-
termination Until tho Last.
The Particulars of
the Case,

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young man of Hsnford. Kings county,
committed suicide in highly sensa-
tional manner at the county Jail at 8
o'clock last night. Atkinson had just
been placed under arrest by Deputy
Sheriffs VIM. Cline and David Martin
on felony charge issued at Hanford
and telegraphed here yesterday.
Sheriff Cline received the telegram at
o'clock yesterday afternoon, reading
az follows:
ARREST f. o. Atkinson. l hold war
rant for felony. See the Hollen beck
hotel; also Gardner & Zsllner Piano
company for information"
"W. V. BUCKNER, Sheriff"
Deputies Cline and Martin repaired to
the firm referred to, which is at 213
South Broadway, and made inquiries
concerning the young man. They
learned from Mr.. Gardner that he was
staying at the Hollenbeck, where they
called. After waiting until about 5
O'Clock Atkinson came in and Mr.. Cline
quietly called him aside and told him
that he had instructions to place him
under arrest.
Leaving Atkinson in care OF Deputy
Martin, Mr.. Cline went to the telegraph
Office and notified the sheriff of Kings
county that the man was caught. He
intended returning and accompanying
the prisoner and Martin to the Jail to
await reply.
Mr.. Cline had not been absent long
when Atkinson asked permission to go
up to his room, No. lis. The request
was granted and the officer went with
him. He opened his valise and placed
several articles in it, and said he wanted
to 60 out by the Second street entrance,
that he didn't want the clerk to sea
what had happened.
Immediately afterward he asked per-
mission to step into a closet near by,
alter which he accompanied Mr.. Martin
20 the Jail.
Mr.. Cline arrived soon afterward, and
went into the waiting room and asked
Atkinson to step into the Office to be
searched. The prisoner complained to
Mr.. Martin of feeling i'll, and asked per-
mission to lie down, which WAS granted.
When be arose he appeared to be in
convuleions, but said there was nothing
the matter. He asked for glass OF
water. which he said would revive him.
Mr.. Cline at once suspected something,
and telephoned for DR.. Wernigk. He
arrived in few moments and found
Atkinson in the last agonies of death.
When questioned Atkinson denied
having taken anything, and persisted in
this statement to the last. The only
request he had to make was that his
shoes be removed. He died in 10 min
utes after being taken into the Jail and
left no word as to the cause OF hia sui
eide.
DIR. Wernigk and Coroner Gates pro-
nounced the mans death due to strych-
nine, which he undoubtedly took while
Mt the Hollenbeck.
1t lie thought Atkinson was wanted in
Hanford on a charge involving some se-
rious financial shortcomings. He was
formerly manager OF the MADEIRA Flume
and Trading company of MADEIRA. and
was afterward employed by the Kings
River Lumber company at Hsnford. He
was we'll known throughout that section
Of the country. About year ago he was
married to Miss Ida Parr of Hanford, his
wife being in San Francisco at the pres
emit time. Upon his person was found
telegram from her stating that she
had just received four letters from him.
Her letters were full of love and affec-
ton for him.
From other letters it was found that
he was discharged from his position last
month. and with the discharge came his
downfall. He ran short of funds and
came to Los Angeles in search of en-
ploy ment. He issued checks upon a
bank there when he had no funds, and
thus got into serious trouble. His
voung wife did not know of his acts, and
he chose death rather than meet the
disgrace which had befallen him He
came to this city June 9Th. He had in
Iurance policies upon his person
amounting to $5000 and was member
IN good standing of the Masonic order.
The body was removed to the under
taking parlors OF Orr & Bird. where an
inquest will be held at O'Clock this
morning.
A STATEMENT BY MR.. GARDNER.
Mr.. ]. W. Gardner was seen at his
lesidence last night at the corner of
Seventh street and Burlington avenue,
BY HERALD reporter. Mr.. Gardner
aad not heard of the suicide of Mr.. At
tinson and was very much shocked
when told about it. He said he had
Known Atkinson at Hanford, whore the
after was very we'll liked. He had
Married beautiful young lady and was
the employ Of lumber firm. He
eemed to be doing we'll and lived with
his wife at the Artesia hotel. Mr.. Gard