The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-10-12
TOM FOARD, TEE PRINTER, is DEAD.
Tired of Life, He Sought Death by
the Gas-Jet.
He Worked for Several Years on the
ssRecord- Union,'' and INDUCED
In Verse.

Genial and errstic Thomas ]. Foard. q
printer well-known in this city. COM
Initted suicide in San Francisco yester-
day. He was 66 years of age. and gave
SIS his reason for ending his life that he
was too advanced in years to compete
with the young men now in the business,
and that there is no place for old men.
The truth is, however, that Foard, like
many others, was his own worst enemy.
He was a good workman and pleasant
companion. but he had a social failing
that interfered with his success.
Deceased was for a long time employed
on the RECORD-UNIoN and in other print
ing offices here, but removed to San Fran
cisco several years ago. While here he
frequently wrote verses for publication,
and some of them were above the aver
age in excellence.
Yesterday morning when the landlady
of his lodging-nouse made her regular in
spection of the rooms she found Foard' 8
door still locked, but presently detected
gas escaping from within. An opening
was soon effected, and, as was anticipated.
Foard was dead In bed. he had procured
8 small hose and had attached one end OF
1t to the gas Jet. The other end was be-
tween his teeth. lie had taken the ut
most precaution that the hrst attempt
should prove fatal, which it did.
In seems that Foard had been ailing for
weeks and, moreover, had failed in his
efforts 10 get work. He was a mem Der OF
Typographical Union No. q. The de-
ceased has a sister, Mrs. f. A. Church,
living at 2727 California street. his peo-
pie are Southerners, he being born IN
Maryland.
The following letter and verses ad-
dressed to the Coroner were found In
Eoard's room:
Mr.. Coroner: Sick, weary and worn
out, give UP the battle OF life and seek
rest.
mime is 8 plain case. There is only
one way TO come into this world; DuI
there are many ways by which to leave IT,
Inhalation of gas is the cause OF my
taking Off, So let The verdict OF your
jury be.
1T is said that it is better to bear the
ills we have than fly to others we know
not of
But beyond the grave there are no
ills, We are taught to believe"
Oh, moon-crowned night, pallid and sadI
Is there no soothing balm,
No soft, delicious calm,
10 make the weary glad?
Oh, Sovereign Sieepl
Press thy mild kisses now
Upon my fevered brow;
Seal with thy lip these eyes;
Drown in their joys these signs.
Must thus grieYe and weep?
Twin sisters-Night and Sleep
Enfoid me in your arms,
There safe from all that harms,
My tired soul would joys full harvest reap
Must l still longer grieve. still longer weep?
Continuing, the letter reads:
Members OF the Typographical Union
of San Francisco will attend to my burial.
The 'boysi will see that l am well be-
slowed in the printers plot, where lie
many of my old pioneer associates who
long since gave up the case and meas
ured' their last string
There seems TO be no room for old
people anywhere except in the grave;
and even there the new man and the new
woman may crowd them out and bid
them move on
I'VE are told to eat, drink and be
merry, for tomorrow ye die Most
mortals are willing to eat and drink and
be merry, but very few are willing to
die.
In youthful days and in old age
lis food and drink our thoughts engage;
And when the race OF lie is run,
What more than food and drink is won
With all our toll?
And thus doth end as was begun
Our mortal coll.
THOMAS J. FoARD.
The following letter was addressed to
Secretary Benoist of Typographical Union
No. q:
"Will you see to it that one more old
veteran is put away in proper order and
with good Justification? 1 owe 80 cents
per capita dues. Please pay il, and you
Will find in my room a nice cane and
umbrella, which give you in payment.
"FoARD."