The San Francisco call., 1896-05-06
DEATH BY STRYCHN|NE.
George Haag Ends His Life Be
cause He Is Sad and
DeSpondent.
The Terrible Deed Was Committed in
the Presence of His Dying
Friend.

Without money and with only one
friend in the world George A. Haag COM
mitted suicide yesterday in room so, Muir
ply building, by swallowing nearly half
an ounce of strychnine. 1t was desper-
ate remedy to apply to life's failures, and
doubly sad one, too, when it is known
that the deed was done in the presence of
dying woman-the suicides one remain
ing friend.
Haag is comparatively stranger in San
Francisco. He first came to the City two
years ago and has since earned precari-
Gus living as solicitor. He was never a
brilliant success, but he managed to make
enough to keep body and soul together.
In the meantime he met Mrs. Nellie
Parker, a comely young woman, who pro-
tested to be a medium of the amplified
kind. The two struck up an intimate but
patonic sort of friendship whicn lasted
until Yesterday. Whenever Haag was in
hard luck he called on his mediumistic
companion, and she generally managed to
cheer him on to renewed efforts.
Some weeks ago Haag suddenly found
himself in the worst kind of bad luck. He
was willing to work, or at least so say his
few acquaintances, but he could get moth
ing to do. Mrs. Parker cheered him all
she knew how, and in measure sue
ceeded.
Then Mrs. Parker was suddenly stricken
with an illness of so serious character
that she was forced to take to her bed.
Financial reverses and the critical con-
dition of his friend preyed heavily on
Haap's mind. Mrs Parker was suffering
from heart trouble. and when with each
passing day he called and found her no
better he grew correspondingly morose
and despondent.
Shortly after noon yesterday Haag
called al Mrs. Parker's room, No. 80, in
the Murphy building. DR.. Jones was in
| attendance, ard OF him the unfortunate
solicitor inquired as to his friends condi-
ton. He was told that her condition was
critical, only absolute quiet and careful
nursing could pull her through.
Without a word Haag turned on his
heel, and walking to one corner OF the
room, pulled from his pocket a vial con-
tanning nearly half an ounce of strych-
nine and swallowed unobserved all but
two OF three grains. Then he walked
back to the bedside of his friend, and after
a moments or two sank heavily into q
chair near by. The nurse noticed Haag's
pale drawn features and nervous twitch-
ing of the fingers, as from pain.
Going hastily to his side she wrenched
from his fast-tightening grasp 3 small vial
with the word "Strychnine" printed in
bold letters across the curved surface.
DR.. Jones took in the situation imme-
diately, and not having the necessary
restoratives at hand made wild rush for
the nearest drugstore.
The physician was not absent ten
minutes, but when he returned the last
convulsion of death was ended. Haag
had taken enough strychnine to kill ten
men, death coming in exactly thirteen
minutes after he swallowed the powerful
potion.
The tragic scene came very near proving
fatal to Mrs. Parker, but DR.. Jones, by
diligent effort, succeeded in restoring her
to consciousness and giving her at least a
temporary lease of life. He said last
night, however, that he thought her final
recovery impossible.
George Haag was "a years old and q
native of Story County, Indiana.