The herald., 1898-06-14
TOOK CARBOlIC ACID
B. GOLDBERG COMMITTED SUI
eide YESTERDAY
Worry Over Business Troubles Had
Made Him Dependent and Led
to the Act

Worried with business troubles, B. Gold
berg, Russian Jew, committed suicide
yesterday afternoon by swallowing guam
tity of carbolic acid in his room at dl61s
East First street. His body, still warm
was discovered about o'clock, but he was
past all aid.
Goldberg held the position Of "shochat.
which, being interpreted, is an inspector
of meats used by orthodox Jews, to learn
II the flesh has been prepared according to
Mosaic law. Some time ago he invested
$40 with Maldel Horwltz on North Soto
street TO conduct a chicken farm, dairy and
mart for calves. The partners got alons
fairly well for while, but one day Gold
berg noticed that some of the chickens were
missing and naturally asked Horwitz what
had become of them. He was told that
they had been transferred to Horwitz' s
other place. Nothing further was thought
of the occurrence until some days later
Goldberg discovered that several calves
were missing. He again inquired OF Hor-
WITT where the animals were and was In
formed that they had been sent to join the
chickens, as the feed was much better.
This explanation did not satisfy Goldberg,
who, it is said, accused his partner of try
ing to defraud him. Horwitz has no legs.
both limbs having been cut off at he
highs, but his deformity did not prevent
him from resentins the imputat!on upon his
honesty. He seized stick of wood and
struck Goldberg, knocking him down. The
family of Horwitz rallied to his support,
and by the time they had finished discussing
matters with Goldberg the latter was badly
used up.
After this Goldberg moved to the room on
East First street. A number of attempts
were made to bring about reconciliation
or at least a satisfactory understanding be-
tween the former partners In order that
Goldberg might be enabled to get some re-
turns from his investment or secure his
capital but the efforts of the old mans
friend were not rewarded with success.
He called at the police station several days
ago to get advice, but the authorities there
were unable to aid him and he went away
more discouraged than before.
No one, apparently, had any idea that
Goldberg contemplated taking his own life.
Yesterday. when M. Mendelsohn, an ac-
quaintance, said he would go and see how
Goldberg was getting along, it was not with
any apprehension that he entered the old
mans room. Mendelsohn then discovered
goldberg lying on the peo UNCONSCIOUS.
Help was summoned but the man was past
all earthly aid. Deputy Constable Mug
nemi guarded the remains until the arrival
of the coroner, who had them removed to
the undertaking rooms of Dexter Samson
where an inquest will be he'd today.
But little was known of the deceased, and
the exact reason for his taking his life is
a matter of conjecture. He left no letter
explaining his act. but as he was in poor
c:rcums tances financially, It is probable
that the weight Of these troubles so preyed
upon his mind that he decided to end them.
He was man about so years of age and had
no family in this city, but is thought o
have relations in the east. Goldberg had
resided in Los Angeles about three years
past and was very familiar figure. The
fact that one of his class and race suicidet
is very unusual.