The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-06-09
A TRAGICAL END.
Broker SeHigman Shoots
Himself.
WORRIED OVER REVERSES.
Death of Thomas Downey, the
Detective.
CHAPLIN ASKS AN INVESTIGATION
Sculptor Wells Says His Income Does
Not Exceed SIS Per
Month.
ASKS AN INVESTIGATION

OAKLAND.-Nathan II. Seligman, the
well-knuwn capitalist ana money broker.
committed suicide a. his residence at $50
Caledonia avenue yesterday noon. Busi-
ness reyerses are believed TO have been the
cause of the deed.
The act was committed with great calm
ness and deliberatlou, Nj. Sehgman
spent the previous evening at his club. and
was apparently in excellent health. Yes
terday morning he arose at the usual hour,
and showed no depression of spirits. lie
breaEfasted at he regular hour, and then
retired 10 his room for a few moments.
From his room he went at once 10 the
basement and completed his grim prepara-
lions. He removed his coat and vest and
placed them on a shelf near al hand, and
LAID his eyeglasses on the edge Of a
wasntub. He then arranged a mattress
fiat upon the floor, and having laid down
upon 1t placed tue pistol against his breast
and nred.
The pistol was an old-style weapon of
small caIjber. The bullet passed through
the heart, causing instant death. There
was little blood on the clothing.
The report Of the shot startled the
hOuSeh0 Il. The wife was the first to reach
the basement and discover the condition of
her husband. She at once went for ply
stefan ana called Ia her neIghbOrs To aid
her; but In spite Of their desperate efforts
the battle Tor life was against them from
the first. Seligman had probably died
soon after the bullet had been tired. The
grief of the Wits was pltifuI.
When it was seen that no amount of
work could revive for a moment the pros
lTate man the struggle was given up and
the Coroner was notified. Deputy Henry
EveTs Jr. at once went to the house and
took possession OF the remains.
II to fri he fbat
Will be found some here amOug Tie papers
OF the deceased accounting for his tragic
deed. The relatives stoutly maintain that
no business TcverseS had been encOun-
tered. Mr.. Sci gman's mining interests
were in the Farral mine IN Amador
Comfy. Mrs. Seligmau says her husband
had been complaining VI poor health tor
some time, and She thinks the deed was
committed in a tit of temporary insanity.
At O'Clock an inquest was neld at the
residence OF the deceased, aud a verdict Of
suicide was found. The facts developed
were essentially as given in the foregoing
The COrOner's jury W0rded its YER
Diet I'VE md the deceased u have come
10 his death from a gunshOt wound in
1iicted by himself, but whether Intention
lily or accidentally we are unable to
state"
Mr.. Seligman's rash deed was in all
probability the result Of unfortunate busi-
ness ventures. has been a close at
tendant upon the stock Exchange of late,
ana Is known to have invested heavily in
mining properties both in this State and
in the north. For some time he has been
Cd the wrong SIDE OF the market.
SeDgman came here about ten years ago,
and engaged in business with Nathan
Rosenberg, his fatheT-in-law. He was at
one time connected with a. 3. 4 field 65
Co., clOthieTS 10 san Francisco, and for a
while managed their business in Portland
Or. He was also with W. and |. Stenhart
& Co. Later he was bOOkkeeper for a
stock and premium bond business in San
Francisco.
He was "a years of age and well-to-do at
the time Of bis death. He leaves a widow
and a son Il years OF age.
A Good Man Gone.
Detective Tom Downey died yesterday
morning at l o'clock at the home OF his
mother on Fifth street. Downey had been
sick only five days. having contracted co d
while out with the party early last SUNDAY
morning that went to Glsinter the body of
Officer CashIn at the cemetery. The morn
ing was rainy ami murky one and MIR.
DowBey caught a severe cold, which SET
tled on his lungs. Pneumonia set in and
he rapidly grew worse.
Thomas Downey was born in Plecerville
in 1858, and came to this CITY with his
parents when but years of age. He
started in life as a grocer 5 clerk, but the
young man wanted incident in his life, and
soon became attached to the secret service
OF the Government After two years of
this be became police officer acting as
Police Court balllH for four years He
afterward served many years on the police
force. Two years ago he became a detec-
tive officer, which position he has filed
win credit
Dewey has been through many excit-
ing affairs In his pursuit Of the criminal
element IN this vicinity, and was brave 10
degree. He never faltered in his duty.
He was a man of many friends, and his
death is mourned with regret by all who
knew him.
He was a single man, and, having served
ten years continuously on the police force,
was entitled to $1,000 from the police pen
SION fund. This money Will go TO his
mother. lie was a member Of the K. Of
4. lodge, No. 14l, ana also of the Elks.
He leaves mother, two sisters and three
brothers. His sisters are Mrs. Con Bros
Da}ian and Mrs. Kings we'll OF this city.
The funeral will take place on sunday.
Ready to Face His Accusers.
d. II. Chaplin, formerly principal of the
San LeandrO schools. ard who suddenly
disappeared from his field of labor a few
weeks ago. leaving ugly stories behind, is
back again from his wanderinzs. aud yes
terday was in consultation with the Board
Of Education.
Biz. Chaplin has been with his wife's
people in San Diego County and came back
with fire in his eye. de came back 20 stay
he said, and TO face his accusers aud 10
bring them TO time for circulating scandal
Gus stories of him.
He said yesterday: 81 made mistake
in going away so suddenly, and | hate TO
confess why / went. The TACT of the mat
ter is that heard these TumorS about my
character before ! lett, and they worried
me so much that / was not responsible for
my actions. In fact 1 was insane at the
time / left and / really did not know what
did until found myself in San Diego at
the home of my wife'S people. There
they cared for me and nurseG me until
became right In mind.
"a should not have gone away in the
face of those charges. That was my mis-
take.
In my defense l will say that / never
committed an improper act. | kissed some
o. he little tots under me. but It was be-
cAD-e loved my pupils and kissed them
g. L would my own. | will stay In Ala
media County and endeaVor to get anot Their
school suppose IL would be useless to
try and get into the San Leandro school
again. as that is promised"
President Lynch OF the Board OF Educa-
ton says there will be an Investigation.
Tangled Railroad.
A third execution was yesterday taken
ont on the Consolidated Piedmont road
This claim is for STAT 80 and is in the
name of w. J. Robinson.
Robinson is clerk in the law Office Of J.