The San Francisco call., 1897-07-17

Goat Island she jumped from the upper
deck OF the vessel, but luckily went clear
of the paddle-wheel. The steamer Pied
mont was passing at the time and ooth
she and the Oakland were at once brought
to a stop and boats were lowered. The
Pied mont was the nearest to the drowning
woman, and in few minutes the llie-
boat had picked up Miss McNeal.
As the Oakland was on her way to San
Francisco and the woman could be at
once removed to the branch Receiving
Hospital on East street, she was sent to
this City and at once taken charge OF by
the hospital force.
During lucid interval she said that
some years ago she and her mother had
worked in the children's home on Frank
lin street. While her mother held that
position they lived comfortably. Her
mother lost her position, however, and
then they had to depend for living on
whatever sewing they could get to do.
For a time they made enough to keep
BODY and soul together, but matters we MT
from bad to worse. until finally they had
TO take refuge in the Almshouse.
"We were both treated well there, said
she, "and | did whatever l could to as
sist about the place. On August 5, 1895,
my mother died and / had to leave The
institution. / again tried to get work as
a seamstress, but failed. Then q friend
advanced me enough money to buy q
small stock OF notions, such as needles
and thread, knives and scissors, and odds
and ends, and with them l started out
and ever since have made fair living.
repaid my friend the borrowed money
and besides saved up few dollars. Last
Novem Der | went 10 live at 633 Green
street, and on June last l was drugged
by young man and betrayed. When l
came to nv senses ! was so overcome with
shame at the disgrace that had been
brought upon me that l made up my
mind to com nit suic de. l several times
went to the waters edge, intending 10
lump in and end it all, but could never
screw my courage to sticking point
yesterday l wandered down 10 the ferry
and bought a ticket Tor Oakland, deter
mined in my mind to Jump overheard
when the ferry boat reached the N iddle OF
the bay. Again my courage failed me and
l landed with the passengers on the other
side OF the bay, but Immediately went
back on the steamer again. This time |
determined TO do it. AMI when the steamer
Oakland was passing Goat Island made
the plunge. L rememter nothing more
until | was back On the deck of the
steamer and half dozen people we're
doing all they could to bring me around.
| suppose 1 will be better, but if l do it
Will only De u LtInS Wuen L
will make another attempt"
When Miss McNeal was brought to the
receiving hospital The doctors had to do
everything for her, as there is no matron
there. There we're many remarks made
about this state of affairs, and rybody
was of the opinion that the Supervisors
should al once do something toward recti-
fying il. "Since the hospital has been
opened says DR.. Deas, ''at least half a
in every instance mntron would have
been Invaluable. On this occasion the
woman had to be undressed, put to bed
and otherwise attended to, all of which
would be much better and more expedi-
tiously performed by woman. The
Board OF Health has asked the Board of
Supervisors to appoint matron, but so
far nothing has been done In the matter,
I hope that at the next meeting OF the
board the matter will be taken up and
that the evil will be remedied."
At9P NJ. Mss McNaal was so far recov-
cred as to be able to be removed to the
Receiving Hospital in the new City Hall
in the ambulance. where she will have the
attendance OF a matron, when she will be
discharge.
At the lodging house where the young
man lives who is accused by the would
be suicide it was stated by the landlady
ludL MISS NlC4NChi Huo oSAck oo II oAlO WSiS
deranGed for over week and during this
time has suffered several hallucinations of
a peculiar nature. The lady in question
also said that Miss McNeal has been cared
for partially BY the Associated Charities,
but that for obvious reasons this support
has of late been Withdrawn.
The accused man denies in toto the
statements made by the woman and
asserts his belief in her insanity. He has
the name at TIE clearinghouse of being an
honest hard working man, and the
charges made against him ere scoffed at.
He and others assert that the woman,
while laboring under an undue excite
ment yesterday afternoon, at last ran out
OF the house with incoherent remarks to
the effect that the next time they gazed
on her they would tremble, which state
ments have since been taken to mean that
sh he con te m MI ted SELF q esIruci iQn