The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-04

After that he worried about the case and on
last Sunday told a friend named Petersen
that he was afraid he might have to tell all
he knew and that it would hurt Winthrop
and perhaps implicate himself. He was
very respondent in consequence and yes
terday morning, just before starting for his
work in the cemetery, he went into his
bedroom in his brothers house at 427%
Cedar avenue and there cut his throat.
Smith occupied room in common with
his brothers little son, but the latter was
not present when his uncle killed himself.
While the family, composed of his brother,
sister and sister-in-law, were at their break
fast they heard a groan. Rushing into the
room they found Howard on the floor with
his throat gashed from ear to ear. He was
not dead, but before a doctor could be
summoned life was extinct.
Coroner Hawkins is at a loss as to what
to think of Smith case. lie was satisfied
after the inquest that Smith had not told
all he knew, and that he sought to shield
Winthrop. According to his evidence the
deceased was at the Office of the cemetery
| the day of the alleged murder, and drove
| the buggy to where Mrs. Mathews Law or
| unfortunate woman in the vehicle, and, in
company with Winthrop, drove her home.
He waited in the room until Mrs. Hyden
and the doctor came, and then drove back
TO the cemetery with Winthrop.
During all that time the only words
spoken, according to Smith, were, "Hold
me-" by Mrs. Mathews; She ate some
thing that didn't agree with her." by
Winthrop, and 81 think she's fooling," by
the deceased. Smiths testimony was de-
cidedly favorable to the prisoner and Coro-
ner Hawkins could not learn anything
further from him.
The deceased relatives all lay his death
at the door of the Mathews tragedy. His
sister says he had $4,000 in the bank, and
happened. dfRben he grew u i desp bond, IT
and gloomy" said Miss Smith, ''and re-
marked to friend of his named Petersen
that he was troubled over the affair and
was afraid to tell all he knew, because it
might hurt Mr.. Winthrop and 1mplicate
himself" Miss Smith refused positively
to tell where Petersen could be found, but
Officer Handley is now in search of him.
Detective Handley handed the following
statement last night to Captain Lees: L.
McInnls, the Coroner's messenger, and
| myself called at the residence of Howard
Smith, 427H Cedar avenue, the man who
cut his throat with a razor at 5 AS A. NJ
Athe Smith and his wife (the suicides
brother and sister-in- law state that ever
since the Mathews poisoning case at
Laurel Hill Cemetery he was very despond-
emit, more especi ally since he testified at
the Coroner's inquest. He said that if he
could be left alone on the witness-stand he
could tell his story, but he did not like the
idea of being cross-questioned for fear
that he would say something detrimental
to Winthrop, and he did not want to say
anything that would hurt Winthrop.
William Smith, nephew of the suicide,
had not left the room for more than
minute. so it seemed, before he heard the
body fall on the floor, and opening the
door he remarked to his mother and father
that Howard was lying on the floor They
all entered the room and found that he
had cut his throat.