The San Francisco call., 1896-03-17
SUICIDE At BERKELEY,
Michael Wickham, a Despondent
Miner, Blows Out His
Brains.
Mysterious Markings on Town Houses.
Final Debating Contest.
Charter Day.

BERKELEY, CAL, March 16.-Wlth
bullet wound at the inner corner OF his
left eve, the remains of man supposed to
be Michael Wickham of TIC Larkin street,
San Francisco, were found this morning
on the university grounds by John Irwin,
a gardener on the campus.
The body when found was warm in
places showing that the man had not been
dead long.
Inquiry at the drygoods store in San
Francisco by Sergeant Moffett elected the
information that man answering the
description had been rooming in the house
of Mrs. Butler, 716 Larkin street. Mrs.
Butler was seen and she said the old mans
name was Michael Wickham, miner from
Montana. He came here about year ago
to get cork leg, as he had his right foot
crushed in the mines, and his leg had to
be amputated above the nkle.
The old man had been despondent for
some time and on Friday he told the bar
tender in saloon at 800 Larkin street that
he was tired of life. Shortly before noon
Saturday he asked the owner Of the saloon
as to the time the boats left this side of
tie bay for Oakland, and that was the last
Wickham was about 60 years of age He
has brother, c. B. Wickham, CONNER
cial House, South Dakota, who has been
notified of the suicide.
An inquest will be held tomorrow.
Those Mysterious Markings.
BERKELEY, CAL, March 16.-The mys-
terious markings on residences in Berkeley
that have been reported during the past
few days continues to arouse a good deal
of discussion, especially in A. P. A. circles
1t is asserted that the marks appear only
on the houses of Protestants and members
of the American Protective Association,
and that two signs have been used
one for the residences of A. P. AS and the
other for the dwelling places of other
Protestants. AS a consequence there is
much gossip among local members of the
Protective Association, some of whom de-
clare the mysterious marking to have been
done for some purpose of discrimination
by agents of Catholic societies.
On the other hand, 1t is said that the
marking is all practical joke and that it
is the work of tramps, who are known to
have methods of indicating to one another
by marks the houses at which calls for aid
will prove profitable. The marking is SO
general, however, extending over large
part of Berkeley that it would seem to
have been done for purpose.
How the marks were made in so many
cases without the pencil or chalk user be-
ing observed is something of mystery.
The marks are in most cases easily effaced,
and this has been quite generally DONE
A local member of the A. P. A. stated
to-day that he had rubbed out the mark
that was placed on his door,,and that any
one attempting to replace the strange sign
would meet with a warm reception.
Fire at West Berkeley.
BERKELEY, CAL, March 16. - Fire
broke out in some unaccountable manner
this morning in the attic of the premises on
Fifth and Delaware streets, West Berke-
ley. The place was forme erly occupied as a
bakery, but at present is untenanted. The
Beacon Fire Company responded to the
alarm which was given few moments
after the discovery of the blaze and in
short time the firemen succeeded in extin-
gushing the flames.
The fire damaged the roof of the build
ing to the extent of about $3.50. One Of the
firemen claims to have discovered some
paint rags in the attic. and he attributes
the cauze of the blaze to spontaneous COM
bustion.
Class Day Committees Named.
BERKELEY. CAL, March 16.-Presi-
dent H. c. Wyckoff announced to-day the
several committees which are to have
charge OF the oass-day exercises and the
senior ball. The class-day committee on
the forenoon exercises. are: Flaherty,
Warner, OConnor, Miss Symmes and
Miss Little; those who will have control
of the afternoon performances in the am
phitheater are: Russ, Damn. Fisher,
Bush, Miss Whipple and Miss Farnham.
The senior ball committee will be as fol-
lows: Power Hutchins, Arthur Brown,
John Howell, Miss Mitchell and Miss
Sweet.
Post Lenten Party.
BERKELEY, Call, March 16.-The va
rious Greek letter fraternities of the uni
versity are planning for ball to be given
in Harmon gymnasium on April Is. The
committee who have. the affair in charge
are: Fl. P. Veeder c. r. Morse, A. +.
Williams, Stewart Rowlings and Fred S.
Knight. Its promoters say that it will be
the swell function of The spring season. 1t
is planned that german shall constitute
one of the features of the party. L ne fra
terniiy houses will be thrown open for the
reception OF the guests.
At Stan ford This Year.
RERKELEY, CAL, March 16.-It has
been decided that the intercollegiate field
day will be held this year on the Stanford
track. The date for the meet has not vet
been set, however Heretofore all the field
days between these two universities have
been held on the Berkeley cinder track.
Lecture on The New Man.,
BERKELEY, CAL, March 16.-Rev.
Anna Shaw will lecture at Stiles Hall next
Thursday evening on The New Man."