The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-09
GAL|NDO TRIED TO DIE,
An Oakland Hotel Man Jumped
Into the Estuary, but Did
Not Sink.
HIS OBESITY SAVED HIM.
"Let Me Die! Let Me DroWn" He
Shouted to the Boatmen Who
Fished Him Out.

John Galindo, proprietor of the Galindo
Hotel, and man of considerable wealth,
made desperate attempt to commit sui
eide last evening by jumping into the
estuary. He was unsuccessful in his efforts
at self-destruction, however, because of his
obesity, which caused him to float like a
cork.
About o'clock very stout man was
seen hurrying down Broadway toward the
wharf, followed by boy on a bicycle, who
shouted at passers-by to stop him, and
seemed in great distress because no one
would accede to his request.
The man was Galindo and the boy his
son.
The would-be suicide kept right on
until be reached the wharf at the foot of
Broadway. Here the boy made renewed
appeals for assistance in preventing his
father from doing away with himself, and
called upon Whartinger Watkins to help
him. The latter ran to the wharf but be-
fore he could reach him the desperate man
had thrown off his hat and taken a header
into the waters of the estuary. Then en-
sued q scene which would have been ex-
tremely ludicrous except for it's tragic fea-
lures.
A rope was procured and thrown to
Galindo. but he refused to grasp it, shout
ing: ;'Let me die, let me drown" at the
same time making frantic efforts to get his
head under water, but with poor success.
He tioated in spite of himself.
The attention of number of boatmen
across the estuary was attracted by the
cries and the crowd which had gathered
and they came across to his rescue. but
W tn6 ~ hoJ ~
their boat he fought like demon and kept
| them at bay, all the time working to get
his head under water. Seeing that their
efforts in that line were wasted the boat
men managed to slip rope under his arms
and ANONYMOUSLY towed him, foundering
and protesting to the wharf, where another
rope was procured and with the assistance
of Wharfinger Watkins he was hoisted by
| main force to the wharf and held while a
carriage was sent for.
He made several attempts to get back
into the water, but finally gave up and
went peaceably into the hack. He was
driven to the Galindo, where all efforts to
interview him were futile, the lessees of
the house denying that he was there or
that he had made any attempt on his life.
Galindo had recently received quite a
sum OF money from the rent of the hotel
and started out to enjoy himself among
his friends. He drifted down to the water
mont and on displaying the money in a
saloon was induced to stay there and
spend it.
His money soon melted away in wine
and cards. His friends became anxious
after he had been absent for forty-eight
hours and asked the police to look out for
him. Though they searched the front care
fully they were unable to locate him and
had about concluded that he had left the
city when they heard OF his attempt at su-
icide,
1t is supposed that after drin king to ex-
cess and parting with all his coin he be-
came respondent and ON getting free from
the saloon made for the wharf with the in
tention of ending his life.
His son, who is the clerk at the Galindo
Hotel, admitted last evening that his father
had been missing for several days ana that
the police had been asked to find him, but
refused to state why he had left or where
he had been in the meantime He was
very much troubled about the matter.
Galindo's father left him comforta BILE
fortune, including the Galindo Hotel,
which was soon after tied up in litigation
He had plenty of money, which he spent
freely on his companions and self. Several
years ago he was partially asphyxiated in
room at the hotel, and since that time
has given his family and friends consider
able anxiety on account of his actions
His love for late hours and convivial spirits
increased and he frequently spent DAYS
aWay from home.