The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-04
SOUGHT RELIEF FROM PAIN
Attorney Frank Minott Ward
Takes His Life
ILL HEALTH THE CAUSE
A Pistol Ball Used as the Means to
End Suffering
He Is Found by His Sister, Dead In His Bed.
and Shot Through Both
Temples

Frank Minott Ward, the attorney, com
mitted suicide yesterday morning at $3.50
by shooting himself through the head a
the residence of his brother-in-law, Henri,
A. Ba clay, 1921 South Main street.
Two weeks ago Mr.. Ward, who has beer
in i'll health for many years, was seized
with three violent hemorrhages. He re-
covered from these, and although com
planning of severe pains in the chest, was
ablesto be around the house as usual.
1t was noticed that since the attack he
seemed to be very much depressed over
his condition, and acted as if he had en-
tirely given up to despair and was pre-
pared for the worst that could happen,
although it was supposed that he would
never take his own life.
| Last Saturday evening he spent in the
parlor with other membersfof the family
chatting as usual, and then cheerfully bid
ding them good night, retired about 8
o'clock. Mr.. Ward occupied a room
in the second story of the dwelling on its
south side.
At 6:3O yesterday morning, Mrs. Bar
clay, Wards sister, was awakened by
hearing the sound Of pistol shot come
from his room. She rushed in and found
her brother stretched upon the bed with
blood streaming from bullet-wound in
his head.
Ward was dead before his sister reached
his side. An examinationi showed that
he had shot himself in the night temple,
the ball passing entirely Through the
head and emerging on the left side.
The weapon with which the deed had
been done was of small caliber and had
fallen from his right hand to the floor.
1t is thought that when Ward awoke
yesterday morning, extremity of pain
approaching hemorrhage impelled him
to take his own life.
Coroner Campbell was notified and held
an inquest at the residence yesterday
afternoon. The verdict was suicide, in
duced by despair over his physical condi-
ton.
Mr.. Ward was identified with the early
history of Pasadena as one Of its first am
bilious and energetic citizens. He organ
lied the San Gabriel Valley bank, and was
its first vice. president, and carried to a
contamination the construction of the
Pasadena opera house and opening of
Raymond avenue.
Frank Minott Ward was born in 1850 in
New Haven, Connecticut. In 1875 he
came to Los Angeles from the East, seek
ing renewed health. In 1881 he returned
to Georgia and graduated from the law
department of the University OF Georgia.
Returning to this coast he was admitted
to the San Francisco bar, and later COM
ing to this city, opened law office. Ill
health interfered with his practice and he
was forced at last to give it up entirely.
Several years ago he travelled thr ough
Central America on horseback in search
of health and spent last year in Europe.
He was married and the father of son,
now about ten years old. These relatives
resided with Mrs. Wards mother at New
Haven, Connecticut. Yesterday he had
decided to go to hotel at Pasadena and
his brother had made arrangements to
drive him over in the afternoon. Since
the attack of two weeks ago he seemed to
lose heart and the sad occurrence of yes
terday morning was the finale.