The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-05
SOUGHT RELIEF IN DEATH.
Otto Won Plonnies Ends His
Life in Buena Vista
Park.
LAST NEWS FROM sEPTIMUs.
a Pathetic Though Deliberate Let
ter to His Noble kinsfolk in
Germany.

The body of Otto Won Plonnies, who
was formerly journalist of this City, wa
found yesterday afternoon in Buena Vista
Park by Policeman E. W. Eskew.
Two bottles were found on the dead man
one containing laudanum, bearing the la
bel of George w. Minor, pharmacist, cor
ner Turk and Taylor streets, the other
empty, labeled poison" The following
letter was also found in one OF the sui
cide's pockets.
tn the Coroner. of San Francisco: This is cleal
case of suicide. Being of sound mind and
having pondered over the matter considerably
I caunot refrain from saying that Ole py my
own hand, in consequence OF the orutanty anG
inconceivably extreme cruelty OF my wife:
take it in good grace, and WISH thaI nelthel
ridicule nor compassion accompany my act
W. V. P.-Thank you. Con tinue!
A. v. P.-Be brave and steady
M. V.P.-Be virtuous and kind.
A.V. P.-Be good; never forward.
L.V. P.-Remember my stories.
A V. P.-Chicago, II Lincoln place. MY
prediction came true.
w. V. P.-Oberforst Master Amorbach, Ba-
varia, Germany. won't do it again.
H. V. p, general, Salzburg, Austria-The last
A. " Ploennies, colonel Thirty-sixth Infan-
try Regiment, Vienna, Austria had my own
will.
x,
Darmstadt, Germany
GEES war so schon gesvesen,
Els hat NIGHT sollen sein.
OTTO Won PLoNNIEs, San Francisco.
The German couplet meant, cit would
have been so beautiful, but it was not to
be-"
The letter bore no date, and among the
papers found on his person that bearing
/ L ia LA 10
city passenger agent of the Northwestern
Railway at Chicago of July Is, 1885, re-
questing Ploennies to call at that office
and confer further regarding his proposed
trip to this coast.
A recommendation from Morloch &
Glauch of the Sud California Post was also
found on him. His cards showed that. he
at one time was connected with the Cali
fornia Demokrat of this City.
Other papers recommended him as
first-class teacher of the German language,
and still others told the story of his having
been lieutenant in the German army.
His residence was given as 1941A McAlEs ter
street, this City.
Won Plonnies' story was that of bril-
liant mind ruined by intemperance. Six
years ago he was reporter on the German
Demokrat, but was discharged because of
his proclivity for strong drink. He wan
dered up and down the coast doing
journalistic work, but was unable to keep
his positions any considerable time. He
was a writer on the Volksfreund, a promi-
nent German paper, and also held an edi-
torial position on an Oakland journal.
-Four years ago he went to Chicago. leav-
ing his wife here with five children. Since
that time he had not contributed anything
for their support.
Nothing was heard of him until few
weeks ago, when he went to his wife's
home, on McAllister street, evidently. with
the purpose of seeking support. He had
not discontinued his old habits, and the
relations between him and his family were
not friendly.
Three weeks ago he asked his eldest
daughter for cents for car fare. He said
he was going away and would write and
tell them when he had reached the destina-
ton he had in mind.
From the appearance OF the body that
was probably the day of his suicide.
Won Plonnies came of a noble old Ger
man family. His Aunt Louisa Won Plon-
MES is well-known writer.
Won Plonnies was 40 years of age and
native of Hessen. Germany.