The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-05-21
Disheartened Over the Loss of
a Fortune In LuckleSs
Speculation.
DEATH RATHER THAN POVERTY
Ny Wife Has Gone; l Will Soon Fol.
low" His 0minous Words to
Neighbors.

LOS ANGELES, CAL. May 20-With
method in his madness" and with plans
pre-arranged even to the minutest detail,
Charles W. England, lawyer of limited
acquaintance in Los Angeles, but greatly
esteemed where known, committed muir
der and suicide at his home on an emf
nence of East Los Angeles last night, and
the double tragedy has shocked and horri-
fed society of every grade. This young
man and brilliant attorney, made desper-
ate by fancied grievances and wrongs at
the hands of former associates in the bank
ing business al Lonoke, Ark, shot and
killed his frail but handsome wife, TO
whom he was markedly devoted, after she
had retired for the night. The ball from
3S-caliber revolver passed through her
head from temple to temple, and she died
without struggle.
Alter this shocking deed England busted
himself for some time in writing letters
and visiting neighbors, where he made
strange and ominous remarks about the
departure OF my wife already" and that
he would soon 90, too. One of these neigh
bors-C. F. Veitch-he asked TO look after
his stock, chickens and other belongings.
He gave Ve1tch the following note for 4.
S. Halsted, a young attorney in the office
with Hon. T. E. Gibbon and England,
room 316, Byrne block, this city:
Ny Dear Haisted: As you have doubtless OBJ
served, life has been very sad to me since
have been in California; so much so that I
have determined 10 throw the burden of. Ny
darling wife, whose life my sadness has dark
ened, has just departed from me, and I expect
TO join her in & few minutes. I desire you to
80 --lr1,
and administer on ny estate.
l have not time 70 write more. Sorry did
not get 10 talk with or at least write you more
fully. Please send the inclosed telegram early
tomorrow morning. Have the undertakers
take charge OF our bodies ct once.
Your friend,
c. W. ENGLAND.
He also inclosed with the note the fol-
lowing:
Send telegram as follows: 81. E. Englsnd.
Little Rock, Ark: C. ". England and wife
both dead. Letter By mall He will under
stand this, as I wrote him Saturday, and he
| ought 10 get my letter tomorrow noon.
After quitting Veitch's presence he met
q Mrs. Smart, another neighbor, and in
quired about her husband, saying:
II shall go away soon; have arranged
all of my affairs. Ny darling wife has
gone already
The lady inquired: when do you ex-
pect 10 return, Mr.. England?"
Never. We are going away for good -
Prophetic, true words! This was the
last time England was seen alive, for he
walked back TO his home and there COM
pleted mis- deed of life-taking by sending
q bullet through his brain. This morning
Mr.. Yeitch went to England's place to at
tend to the stock he had promised to look
after and seeing the front blind up looked
into the bedroom. There lying on the
side OF the bed nearest the window was
the body OF woman covered BIZ q sheet,
while by her side, with his hands crossed
over his body, lay England. The alarm
was given st once and the Coroner notified.
Business reverses were no doubt the
cause OF the tragedy. at one time Eng
land was president OF a banking institu-
ton at Lonoke, Ark, and was wealthy.
He lost all through unfortunate opera
tons and then came to Los Angeles with
his wife. He went into Mr.. Gibbons law
Office and built no good practice. He soon
purchased little home and seemed always
TO be happy and contented.
The J. E. England referred to in the
| message to Mr.. Halsted is a brother, who
| telegraphed instructions TO have the bodies
inferred here.