The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-29
JUMPED FROM THE BRIDGE
A saloon RousIabout Commits Suicide
I'm the Tide Flats.

III tie lfue
The Grant street bridge had another
death added to its already long list yester-
day afternoon, that OF George Hamilton.
commonly known as George Russell, Tor
the past year porter in Billy Codrick Mug
saloon on South Third and Main streets.
The accepted theory is that the man ccm-
mitted suicide, although many or MS
friends are loath 10 believe II OF q man or
his temperament. 1t is said that China
man, who is in the habit of going down 10
a slaughter house in South Seattle every
day saw the man fall off the railroad
bridge at a point about twenty feet below
where the railroad crosses the tracks OF
the electric road. opposite the Washing
ton Iron Works. He gave the alarm and
helped drag the man out.
The drowning, as near as can be found
ouH, happened about ESQ in the afternoon
The Chinaman was on his way IN from
the slaughter house, and close behind him
was a man named Fred Schram, wno was
on HIS way 10 the city from Georgetown.
The Chinamau rushed down the track
yelling al the top of his voice. Man in
water" Several workmen and nachin-
lists from the iron works grabbed Il rope
and a ladder and hurried TO the mans
assistance, as he was still alive They
were joined soon after by Schram and
driver for the Seattle Brewing and Malt
ing Company, who was also coming TO-
ward tine city. The ladder was quickly
lowered and a machinist named peterson
climbed down 10 the waters edge una tea
one end of a rope around the struggling
mans waist, though all THAI could De
seen of him was he back of his head.
The body was hauled up on the trestle
and Oficer Brennan who lives near by,
tried to resuscitate him. and succeeded in
getting out a large quantity of water
DIR. Titus was summoned and placed the
body over ? barrel. but his EFFORTS
were unavailbg, although large guam
tfty OF water was got out. Coroner Ask
am was sent for and ordered the body
sent to the parlors OF the Seattle Under
taking Company, on Third street The
pockets were searched, but contained
nothing but several old papers.
When taken out of the water. the body
was found to be in an upright position.
with the head bent little forward, Civ
ing it the appearance of being stuck in
the mud. This fact strengthens the sui
eide theory. because if the body had fall
en- off the bridge sideways IL would never
have been found standing up.
Russell had been drinking heavily for
about six weeks. and was at times very
respondent. although he possessed an I'M
usually bright disposition. He has been
r.ooming for over six months with Tom
Scott, an employe of the free employ
ment bureau. in the Overland lodging
house, over the Salvation Army head
quarters, ana on lllTsId5 HiSlfN slaltcA
TO break his cot to pieces Scott was IN
the room, and asked why he was break
ing his bed. Russell said: al won't need
it any more after tonight" Scott stopped
him. and tied the broken cot together
with some rope. He slept in the bed that
night. but did not show up Friday night.
Yesterday morning about II 80 he walked
into Codricks saloon and asked the bar
keeper for a small glass OF beer. which
was handed to him lie drank 1t and
after few minutes went out the front
door That is the last seen of him by his
friends until they saw hts rigid body ly-
ing on a slab al the undertakers.
Russell has been working as porter
and roustabout for Codrick for about
a year, and had the reputation of
being an honest worker. He was
a hard drinker at times, and for this
had lost several good places in the city.
For over two years he was porter a the
Western Central Labor Union headquar-
tiers. but got angry and left one day be-
cause Secretary Middleton would not let
him have some money while drunk. He
was a small man. ard was about % years
Of age. His family lives in Stockton, Cal,
and is said TO be highly respected.
The coroner Will probably hold an inquest
at the parlors OF the Seattle Undertaking
Company on Monday afternoon.