The herald., 1894-05-10
THE WAGES OF SIN is DEATH,
Howard R. Cole, Roue and De-
bauchee,
Finds That Life Is Not Worth the
Living.
And So Blows Out His Brains-The
Details OF the Affair and the
Verdict of tho Coro-
ner's Jury.


nsr's Jury.
Wine and women have claimed an
other death, and Howard r. Cole OF
Banning is the victim. A bullet from
weapon in his own hand crashed through
his brain at 2:20 O'Clock yesterday alter
noon.
NAN ABOUT TOWN.
Howard r. Cole was q man OF genteel
appearance, about 35 years Of age and
apparently an educated man. He came
to the city six weeks ago from Banning,
Riverside county, where he went eight
months ago from Rosemont, Mont
gomery county, Pennsylvania. He had
plenty OF money and at times usually
spent it lavishly upon wine and women.
His protrscted sprees at Banning be-
came matter of public gossip at the
little city OF the pass, and he left there
only after he had gotten into trouble, in
connection with which the family OF
respected citizen was mentioned. Upon
his arrival here he took apartments at
the Westminster hotel. He made numer-
at the principal tipping placea in the
city.
MET HER AT THE PARK.
One Sunday, not long since, he was
driving in Westlake park withs friend,
the manager of First street cafe. The
manager had met numerous OF his ac-
quaintsnces out for an afternoon stroll,
among them being Mrs. Jessie Lang,
wife of John Lang, the cattle dealer,
who owns an extenl-ve stock ranch in
Orange county, and other large property
interests in Oregon. She was intro
duced to Cole, who took quite fancy to
her almost Immediately.
CALLED UPON HER.
On several occasions after the meeting
in the park Cole visited the lady's room,
in the Menlo hotel, 420 South Main
street, but always in the absence OF Mr..
Lang. who spends much of his time
looking after his property interests out
side the city. They took lunch together
frequently.
Mrs. Lang introduced Cole at the
hotel as relative Of her relatives in the
east, and consequently his presence at
the hostelry WAS always acceptable.
Cole, being man Of Incorporate hab.
it's, began to suffer from alcoholism, his
debaucheH lasting several days. A week
ago last Tuesday, about 3 O'Clock in the
morning Cole sent hackman from the
Westminster hotel to call DR.. 8. NJ. Hit,
whose Office is in the Bradbury block.
DIR. Hit responded and found Cole suf-
fering from severe attack OF delirium
tremens. Cole also sent for Mrs. Lang
upon this occasion, and abe visited him.
Upon another occasion the doctor at
tended and treated him for alcoholism.
Acting upon the Doctors advice Cole
went to Ontario last Saturday
night and stopped at the principal
hetal there. On last Monday Mrs.
Lang also went to Ontario to visit lady
friend. She stopped at the same hotel.
She returned to the Menlo hotel Tues
day night from Ontario. and Cole 10
supposed to have returned to the city
the same day, for he went to the West
minister hotel about 8 O'Clock that night.
An hour later Detective Goodman saw
him engaged in poker game in
saloon. Several hours afterward DR..
Hit WAS called to attend him at the
Palace saloon where he was in convul-
eions from delirium tremens.
THEY LUNCH TOGETHER.
About O'Clock yesterday, Cole was
sufficiently recovered to call upon Mrs.
Lang at her room-3l-in the Menlo
hotel. She accepted his invitation to
take lunch with him, and about IL
O'Clock they went upon the street. At
IL 80 o'clock. Cole went into Jacks res
taurant, 128 East First street, and pro.
ceeded to q private dining room on the
second floor. He was shortly after fol-
lowed by Mrs. Lang. They dined for
over two hours, until Cole became al
most hslpleesly drunk.
THREATENED SUICIDE,
While in this state Cole called
messenger boy and sent him to get his
revolver at the Vienna Buffet, where it
was taken from him while displaying it
several nights ago. The boy returned
with the empty weapon ard was then
sent to get some cartridges. The intox-
Gated man threatened to kill himself at
once, but was prevented by Mrs. Lang.
In his maudlin frenzy over Mrs. Lang's
refusal to confess her leve for him, he
sent for Attorney Alfred Cooper, who
has an office in the Temple block. He
wanted Cooper to prepare his will, he
said, as he was going to kill himself,
because he had been disappointed in
love. DR.. Hill had also been called in.
After disputing some time over the pay