The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-17
SUICIDE OF AN EMBEzzLER
Romantic Story of an Everyday
Tramp.
G. j. Moss Robbed the Woman Who
Loved Him.
Rather Than Go to the Psnitrntiary the
Man ChIoroformsd Himsels-A-
Perris Scandal.
Special to THE HERALD.

special to THE HERALD.
RIVERSIDE, Jan. 16.-An embezzlement
CAGE from Perris, which occupied the
attention of Justice Milla' court in this
city during Monday and Tuesday, had
tragic sequel this morning when Charles
j. Moss, the accused who had been held
for trial on the charge Of appropriEting
several thousand dollars belonging to
Mrs. S. j. Rowlsy, o prosperous widow
with whom he had been living for aevs
ersl years, committed suicids rather than
take the chances of spending term in
the penitentiGry.
Moss first made his appearance in
Perris some three years ago. He was
then a tramp. Mrs. Rowley gave him q
nights lodging and food. Although any
thing but preposeessing in appearance,
Moss speedily Inspired passion in the
widows heart, and on the day after his
arrival she agreed to live with him.
She is the recipient OF governmen
pension, which would have been for
feitsd by marriage, and it was on this
account that the infatuated woman con-
sented to union not recognized by law.
In this way they lived together for sew
eral years, until the widow discovered
shat MoBs had made away with several
thousand dollars of her money and was
attempting co get possession of her
ranch. Then she had him arrested.
After the court had held him for trial
Moss started with Constable Metz for
Ferris to secure bail, and failing in this
Metz took his prisoner to his (Metz's)
house. AT o'clock this morning Metz
heard Moss snoring. Later on going to
the room he found the man breathing
stertorously. His hands were cold and
it was impossible to arouse him. The
constable summoned a physician, but
when he arrived Moss was dead. Under
his pillow was bottle partly filled with
chloroform. In his valise was a vial Of
strychnine. 1t waa chloroiorm that had
caused death. The drug, it has been
learned, was purchased by Moss some
time ago in San Bernardino, but for
what purpose Moss provided himself
with the poison can only be conjectured.
Suspicion ia suggested, however, that he
may have planned to murder the woman
whom he had dsspoiled of money and
thus get possession of her property.
The antecedents of the suicide are a
complete mystery. To people with
whom he came in contact ct Perrin he
told various stories. He said that he
had been q mining operator in Montana.
Mrs. Rowley had for come time lived
in state of constant dread lest he
should do her bodily harm. She was,
however. 80 completely under his infu-
ence that she feared TO leave him or at
tempt to get rid OF him. When abe was
informed this morning that he was
dead she exclaimed: "Well am awful
glad TO hear that" She at once left for
Ferris to regain possession Of her ranch.
When Moss was arrested hs had put
her out of the house and placed a man
in chsrge OF the ranch with orders to
hold possession and admit no one ex-
cept on an order from himzelf. Mrs.
Rowley had consulted Attorney L. d.
Powell and he wss preparing to take
steps to evict the intruder from her
property. but when he learned that
Moss was dead abe concluded that there
would be no opposition to her taking
charge of her own property.