The San Francisco call., 1897-03-14
FOUND DEAD
IN A TUNNEL
Charles Woodhouse Killed
by the San Rafael
Local.
He Was a San Francisco Lock.
smith and a Member of the
English Colony.
Mrs. Nye cf Corte MADEIRA, Who Lust
Saw the MAJ, Says He Acted
in a Peculiar Manner.

Charles A. Woodhouse, locksmith EN-.
ployed by the Will q Finck Com pany, 816
Market street, was killed, probably by a
train, in the long tunnel under McCue'a
Hill, in Marin County, Friday evening,
and his mangled body was discovered
yesterday morning by q trackwalker.
The facts surrounding the death OF
Woodhouse point to a mystery, and
the officials of the North Pacific Coast
Railroad say that they believe the man
committed suicide. The relatives of the
dead man deny this and say that Wood
house was in the habit of taking trips into
the country, and they believe the train
overlook him unawares.
Mrs. Nye, who lives near Corte MADEIRA
station, was the last to see the man
alive. She says that on FRIDAY evening
she noticed Woodhouse walking on the
track toward the tunnel, and called the
attention OF her son to the fact, saying
that the 5:45 train from San Francisco
would overtake the man in the tunnel.
Mrs, Nye SAYS she noticed that the man II
was wringing his hands and muttering to
himself.
Engineer John Driscoll and Fireman
John Williams were in the engine on the
trip connecting with the 5:45 boat from
the City. and they both assert that they
looked clear through the tunnel and
failed to see any person on the track.
The body when taken in charge by
Coroner Eden yesterday morning was in
a terrible condition. The head and both
arms had been severed from the body and
the features horribly mutilated.
Besides card containing his name and
address, 510A Jones street, there were
found silver watch and 81 10 in change.
Superintendent r. ID. Shoemaker OF the
North Pacific Coast road said that the
coat ami hat belonging to Woodhouse
were found lying on the side OF the tunnel
uninjured. Woodhouse must have been
standing between the uprights in the
tunnel and wnen the train came through
either lost his balance or threw himself
before the engine and was killed.
1t was learned yesterday that Wood
house left the City Friday on the 1:45
boat to San Rafael. He left a card on tho
door of his department in Will & Finck's,
stating that he would return at 2:l5 P. NJ,
but whether the message had reference TO
Friday or yesterday Mr.. Finck could not
say. The deceased, who is about As years
of age. told his son and daughter that he
was going across the bay and would not
be back until late in tho evening.
Yesterday they received the distressing
news that their father had been killed by
the San Rafael local train. The family
profess absolute ignorance of the purpose
Of Woodhouse's trip across the bay.
Those who know him personally reject
the hypothesis of suicide A. highly i'm
probable.
He was q man OF quiet habits and re-
spected bv every body. His position with
Will e. Finck was an assured one and he
had served the firm for nearly eight years.
He was an Englishman by birth and q
member of BurnaDy Lodge, Sons OF st.
George since it's foundation twelve years
ago. and also of ST. Georges Club. His
wife died three years ago and he has since
lived with his son, a young man OF Il.
and his daughter, girl of Il
The funeral will take place Tuesday,
under the auspices of that society.