The San Francisco call., 1896-02-29
SHE TURNED ON THE GAS
Suicide of Mrs. J. Fonclere, a
Dressmaker, at the Mira
mar Hotel.
She Was Despondent Over the Death
of a Friend-Letters of
Explanation.

Mrs. j. Fonclere, a widow, aged so years
and dres shaker by occupation, suicided
by asphyxiation at the Miramar Hotel
some time on Thursday night. She first
took chloroform, but that did not have the
desired effect and then she turned on the
gas. The body was removed to the
Morgue. The deceased left these explain
atory letters:
Tuesday evening, 25th February, 1896.
Dear Nile. Constance MOredu: l cannot bear
the grief of the death of my best friend. She
gone, existence seems to be so arid, desolate:
II was being from my friends that made me so
lonely; l have no longer the courage to
struggle, and l come 10 bid you a last adieu.
Please take care of everything that I leave
and see that Nine. Chevalier is paid; for YOUR
self choose Whatever will be agreeable to you.
If you can, give some little souvenir to my
nephew; you will find letter from him and
ms address in my box on the bureau Tell him
that am dead without telling him the details.
! should be sorry that he knew the truth. II
letters arrive from France. send them back.
Tell them am dead and nothing more. Good
by, my dear friend; don't weep for me; think
that am happier than you know. You more
than anybody else know how ! have suffered,
and think how long a time L have been sem
sible of the dispositions which l have expert
enced, aud II had not feared to affiict my old
friend too much | would have finished my life
with hers, but to-day she is mere no longer
and existence weighs upon me- Adieu. Ac-
cept my last kiss. Your friend J. FoNcTERE
PSI add a few words after having received
letter here full of interest from my friends at
Veveyr. should like that they know OF my
death, but above all that they know nothing of
the manner in which it has happened. Please
write and tell them that am dead; that my
death is attributed TO q severe shock, as
for instance, the death of my dear friend
having received their letter the eve of my
death. have already written my letter and
don't wish to open it 10 recommence II again.
As to the other letters which will be received
please return them in men tioning th c fact that
| am dead. For my nephew, the dear boy
please write him lew lines and tell him as [
have already indicated before. Send him
some souvenir Thanking you in advance for
your kindness, good-by once more, or, a. least
au revoir in a better world. Your friend. /
have made my little will to avoid anybody's in
terposing i'll the disposition OF the things which
leave; this will simplify the matter. You have
nothing with which TO inter me. See that il is
done by the city.
The will referred to is as follows:
This is my will. I bequeath to Mile Con-
stance Moreau everything that l possess and
that is contained in this room, such as linen
dresses, books, pictures and the little pieces OF
brlc-a-brac and trunk and everything that is
in it.
Done this 26th day of February, 1896, at
San Francisco, Hotel Miramar, room 65.
NINE. VEUvE J. FoNCLERE.
Another letter reads as follows:
February 25, 1896
Ma Dear Friend. | am so lonely