The San Francisco call., 1897-01-03
UNSTEADY AIM
SAVES HIS LIFE
Deputy City Clerk Winter
of Stockton Attempts
Suicide.
Fires at Himself Five Times,
but Is Only Slightly
Wounded.
Too Much New Years Cheer Respon
.sible for the Desire to End His
Career.

STOCKTON, CAL, Jan. George Win.
ter, the assistant City Clerk, made an in
effectual attempt al S:45 o'clock this
morning to commit suicide at room 4,
over the Chicago saloon, by shooting him.
self with a revolver. He was suffering
from nervous excitement as the result OF
too much indulgence in New Years
cheer.
Mr.. Winter went to the saloon about
$3.50 O'Clock and entering the office in
which the public sideboard is kept called
for glass of whisky, which was given to
him by one OF the bartenders. He was
not under the immediate effect of intoxi-
cants at that time. although it proved
later on that he was suffering from the re-
suit of a spree.
'Now give me some paper" said the Of
fetal as he set his glass down.
What kind of paper?' asked the bar
fender.
Writing paper"
1t was for his dealh message
Little dreaming of the object of the re.
quest the bartender handed to him a
tablet of writing-paper, and Mr.. Winter
asked for room where he could be alone.
He was directed to the private apartments
near the CaIifornia-street entrance to the
place. After few seconds he came out
and remarked that he would prefer some
other room. Being told that there was a
lodging house upstairs, where ne couIu
get bedroom, he went up and engaged
ore from the landlady, remarking that ne
would not need it more than two hours.
The proprietress who had not been ex-
90
and who had an old dress on. excused her
appearance by saying that she had been
up late the preceding night and added:
"I had too much New Years"
II guess that's what's the matter with
me. too" replied Mr.. Winter.
He stepped inside and closed the door
Hardly minute had elapsed when five
SHOTS rang out in quick succession from
his room. The Iandlady who had gone
to her room to prepare for the day, ran
screaming through the hall ana down into
the saloon to call for help. As she reached
the end of the corridor Winter opened his
door and called after her.
Come back. come back, I'm not hurt
Come and see,' he shouted.
But fled Ell the faster, suppostng her
lodger had suddenly gone insane and that
the next shot would be aimed at herself
'Mr. Winter left the room and walked to
the street. When the people from the
saloon got up to the apartment they found
on the table note signed by the assist
ant clerk and reading as follows:
.sF!! / have killed myself No explanation ne0''-
Ehis note one of the barkeepers tore up.
A few minutes later Mr.. Winter returned
with friend evidently in search of the
nole. While they were in the room the
official was heard to say to his COM
paEion;
something with me- l am crazy, there's
mo use talking"
In the room there is bureau with a
b. large mirror. 1t stands in the corner
between the north and east walls, and the
would be suicide evidently stood in front
OF the mirror with the pistol leveled at his
head when he fired the shots from his
revolver. Ali of the bullets missed him
except one. That plowed furrow across
his forehead. Winter was taken to Jail
and charged with insanity.
After the attempted suicide it was
learned that when Winter left the clerks
Office Wednesday afternoon he informed
Clerk Campbell that he was going to col
leci two city licenses, amounting to bout
500. At 5 o'clock Mr.. Campb II locked
the office and went home, leaving 5000 in
the safe. When he opened the vault this
morning he found that only $50 was left.
At"the opening OF the office to-day Winter
caIfeG on the clerk and said in effect that
: he had spent over $500 of the city money
, at the gambling tables while drunk
"Wednesday night. 1t is supposed that he
COLLECTED the 500 from the licenses and
. took $l2O from the city vault after Mr..
Campbell went home Wednesday evening,
which would make 1920 all told.
Winter is well known all over San
Joaquin County. He IS the present secre-
'tary Of the Democratic County Central
Committee and has been leading light in
number OF local organizations.