The morning call., 1894-04-14
ENDED IN DEATH.
The Final Carousal of
James Higgins.
A BULLET IN HIS BRAIN.
1t Looks Like Suicide, but May
Be Murder.
BULLET IN HIS BRAIN.
HIS COMPANION UNDER ARREST.
Close of the Career of Young Man
of Means Who Spent His
Money on Whisky and Opium.

The career of young man who was
spending his money on fast women and for
whisky and opium came to an end in an
upper room of the lodging-house, 3 Everett
street, last night. 1t is not known whether
he was murdered or he himself fired the
bullet that ended his existence. The p0-
lice are investigating the matter, with
small hope of ascertaining just how the
tragedy occurred.
James Higgins. the young man whose
untimey end is thus clouded with mys-
terry. was well known in certain circles.
He was good looking and spent his
money, of which he had apparently a
never-failiDg supply. in the qualification
of his appetites. He owned property in
San Rafael and ON Sixth street in this
city. and it Is said had an income of sew
eral hundred dollars month.
Several months ago he met Louis Saux.
the keeper of the lodging-house at 3
Everett street. and rented suite of apart
ments. He furnished the rooms to suit
his taste and laid in plentiful supply Of
opium, cigarettes and whisky. He had
two favorite companions, young man Of
his own age named John Mitchell, who
says his residence is 723 Franklin street,
and a young woman named Lottie Danney.
They came and went and enjoyed them
selves according to their liking without
any interference on the part of the land
lord
Two or three days ago Higgins ana the
girl ouarreled and she found other quar-
ters. but was near the house last night and
was probably waiting to see him. Mitchell
came and spoke to her and went up to Hig-
gins room.
He remained there until o'clock with
Higgins when Mrs. Saux heard what she
thought was the report of pistol. 1t was
dull, muffled sound, and she was not
sure that it came from any apartment in
the house. She left her room and wert to
the foot of the stairs. where she stood lis
tening for few moments. Mitchell came
out of Higgins room and ran down the
stairs.
"What is the matter?" she asked.
Nothing" was the laconic reply, and
the young man rushed out of the house.
Mrs Saux was convinced that something
was wrong, and communicated her sus-
picions to her husband. They went to-
gether to Higgins room. but no one was
there.
| Saux, thoroughly alarmed, went out for
| q policeman, and found Officer Ryan, with
whom he was returning 10 the house when
they overlook Mitchell and DR.. Rogers
fastening in the same direction.
Higgins shot himself" said Mitchell, in
| reply to question asked him by the Off
Ger, and the quartet entered and ascended
| the stairs to Higgins room. Mitchell led
the way to closet, and when the door OF
the receptacle was opened Higgins body
| fell upon them and revolver dropped to
the floor.
They placed Higgins upon a bed, and the
| physician examined him and pronounced
him dead. He had been shot through the
mouth. The bullet had passed upward and
lodged in his brain. There were no marks
of powder about the face. and the location
of the wound was so far back in the mouth
that the muzzle of the weapon must have
been thrust into the orifice.
| There was little doubt that Higgins had
shot himself. but MitchelPs reply to Mrs.
Saux when she asked him what was the
matter, and the fact that Higgins might
have been shot through the mouth while
sleeping Off the effects of opium, caused
suspicion to fall upon Mitchell, and he
was taken into custody.
Mitchell had been drinking, but the
tragedy sobered him. He was greatly dis
tressed and passionately declared that he
was the last man in the world who would
do anything to Higgins.
1--WE were true friends" he said, land
| never quarreled. am the son of con-
tractor, and met him some time ago.
| When I came in tonight he was lying on
the bed. His b at. coat and shoes were off
| and he had been smoking opium.
"After conversing for some time | asked
| him to go out with me. He said that he
was willing and arose and walked to the
closet. [ thought he was going to get his
coat out. but he went into the closet and
! closed the door.
"a moment later l heard the report of
pistol in the closet and upon opening the
| door saw that Higgins had shot himself.
| then ran for the Doctor"
| Lotte DaDney was questioned about Ter
relations with Higgins, but fatty refused
| to give any information on the sub ject.
| Higgins remains were taken to the
I horpup.