The San Francisco call., 1897-11-18
]. M. Berkley, a Young
Electrician, Leaps From
the Bay City,
He Soon Disappeared Beneath
the Waves and Was Seen
No More.
The Cause of His Act Is Unknown
Left Letters BY Which He Was
Identified.

John NJ. Berkley, an electrician VINO
resided with his parents at l59 Corbet
road, plunged from the deck of the ferry
steamer Bay City into the Day last even
ing at 1880 O'Clock, and it is thought thai
his body was carried out TO sea by the
ebbing tide. Why he chose to end his life
no one knows, but from the circumstances
surrounding his leap into the death
giving waters 1t is known that he did mol
commit suicide on the impulse, but went
10 his death after deliberate premedlta-
ion.
Last night Just as the Bay City was
about 10 start on her trip across the bay
at 1880 O'Clock Berkley walked aboard and
took up station on the lower deck near
the Stern rail. He was not nervous, but
paced dp and down win cool deliberation.
When the boat started he glanced
around as If to find whether or not his
actions were attracting attention, and
then drew off his Overcoat and placed il
on the rail. As soon as the boat had
cleared the slip a few hundred feet he
pIcked up his coat and tossed it toward
the center Of the deck, to make sure that
il would be recovered ami from the
papers IN il his identity established. He
then leaped lightly 10 the TOD of the rail
and plunge into the water.
1t was quite dark, but he was seen to
sink bv some of the passengers. The
boat continued on lis course and the sui
eide was seen no more. As soon as the
captain of the boat was Informed that a
passenger had jumped from the boat he
ordered a cutter lowered and a search was
made but no trace Of the suicide could be
found.
The overcoat was picked NJ, and on the
return OF the steamer TO this side it was
placed in the hands OF the Hart Dor Police
and was sent to police headquarters.
There it was searched and several letters
were found. Among them was one ad-
dressed TO Miss Laura MCDJnougb,
Glen Park avenue. 1t is thought that
this letter contains a solution 20 the myS-
terry surrounding the cause OF The young
electric ans self-imposed death, but this
VIII not be known TO certainty until
after the letter has been placed in her
hands by the police, who now have 1t in
posse ssion. ThKee letters of recammen-
dation-one from the Ellison Electric
Light and Power Company, one from
Charles H. Phillips, 638 Market street,
and one from Benjamin Bangs, admins
traitor OF the estate Of KATE Johnson-were
also found, but they simply told a story
Of the young mans abluty in life and
have no bearing on the motive OF his
death.
Miss Laura Mcdonald, the lady TO whom
the suicide left Il note, was seen at hei
residence at Gen Park avenue.
The first knowledge We hat OF MIR.
Berk.eys death" said Miss Mcdonald
was v hen Mr.. Crockett brought The let
ter that he left for me. 1t was great
shock, as l never dreamed he would dc
such a thing. l was engaged to HIM two
years ago.
He was then IS and 16. After an en-
gagement for a year l found that did
not care for him, so | broke II off.
Last week he called at the house, and
he called again to-day, but l refused tc
see him. he renamed conversing Nitu
my mother, and company having arrived
l had to go downstairs.
He acted peculiarly, and l excused nv
self and returned TO my room. When
leaving he said gOod-by to my mother,
adding thai it was the last visit he would
make.
Il did not for a moment dream that he
was going to take his lite. ."
The letter which the young man left on
The boat before his fatal plunge is written
in a rambling, iDcoherent manner. 1t is
as follows:
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. Z, 1897.
Ha, ha! my bra is running to die Water.
Dear Laura, as you have refused 10 see me
to-day some day you Will be very sorry.
taught you your first love. diu not deceive
you had been told oy others.
Tney wrote to you and all SUCH Nellie
made a bad mistake when she wrote 10 me; i
vas not her fault, some ole wrote to her.
ForgiVing my mamma forgive my enemies
and hope they viii live long and hope JacB
viii not be so 1oolisn IS l have been. Very
truly, your loving JOE.
From 1895 til death. o how lonely tht
waves look with their lovely smooth ripples
JOE.