The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-05

prostration, He developed a suicidal
mania and frequently spoke of killing
himself, but had lately seemed much more
hopeful and buoyant.
Yesterday morning the members of the
LeZinsky household heard the report of a
pistol in the basement. They thought it
only a portion of the celebration of the
Fourth of July, however. and paid no at
tention to 1t. About an hour later George
Lezinsky, the brother OF David, went into
the basement and discovered that his
brother had shot himself.
The deceased was only 81 years of age.
He was born in California and graduated
from the State University in 1884. At col
lege he showed much brilliancy, but was
considered extremely eccentric.
After his graduation, Mr.. Lezinsky went
into the cloak business with his brothers
Eugene and Samuel. It was not con-
genial, however, and he withdrew. About
this time he became very peculiar in his
ways.
He had written considerably on sociology
and other philosophical subjects, but his
ideas were anything but orthodox, and
this oddity gained for him some notoriety.
He had decided in 1885 that only two
men properly interpreted Emerson's phil
osophy. The other man was James Rus
sci Lowell, whom he went to see. In Bos-
ton he obtained letter to. Mr.. Lowell
from Josiah Royce. Later he informed a
collegemate that he had talked with Mr..
Lowell about five minutes, but in that
time he learned that he had mlsunder-
stood Mr. Lowell, and at once took a
steamer to England in order to see Mr..
Gladstone.
His visit to England was equally unsat-
isfactory, and he returned at once, remain
ing only eleven hours in London.
1t was after his return that Mr.. Lezinsky
began to write poetry. He devoted him
self to abstruse philosophical subjects
principally. His poems did not create
much of furore and were severely crltl-
cized. Still he wrote and put many good
things into verse form.
He issued several small pamphlets, but
no books. One of his last publications was
a booklet issued last Christmas entitled,
Daniel Daddy, Ruth and Company"
While it was ostensibly a holiday publica-
tion the story was a theoretical solution
of one of the sociological problems of the
day.
1--WE always looked upon Lezinsky as very
eccentric" said one of his fellowstudents
Yesterday. "He had queer system of
philosophy that he invented which no
one else would adopt. Still we considered
him bright. He was the manager of the
college paper, The Occident, and ex-
hibited good business qualities. His hobby
was sociology anu pnlloSopny. On tuoSe
subjects he seemed actually crazy at
times"
A few months ago Mr.. Lezinsky' gave
readings from the great poets, He also in
terpreted passages which he considered
obscure. These entertainments attracted
some attention, as much, however, from
the peculiar wording of the placards as
from the character of the readings.
The first were given at the Palace Hotel,
but were unsuccessful. Later similar read
ings were given at 1016 Suffer street by
the poet. They were well attended.
"My brother was suffering from nervous
prostration," said George Lezinsky yes
terday. "That tells the whole story. He
has overworked himself There was no
cause for the act whatever"
The Lezinskys are well known in the
San Francisco mercantile world. The
father was one of the pioneers of Cali
fornia. He had large cloak establish
ment opposite the Palace Hotel. He met
financial reverses, and in 1884 committed
suicide. Professor 1. Leszinsky is a cousin
of the deceased.
Announcements in regard to the funeral
will be made later.