The San Francisco call., 1904-10-04
FIGHTS FRIEND,
KILLS HIMSELF
Charles Branin Hacks His
Own Throat in Maniacal
Battle to Commit Suicide
CUTS LORENZO SHIMAN
Struggle With Mailman Oc-
ours in the Presence OF
bis Mother and a Sister
Oakland Office San Francisco Cali

Oakland Office San Francisco Can,
lO1s Broadway, Oct 8.
In the presence OF his mother ana
g sister and after a desperate battle
with his friend Lorenzo Shlman'
Charles Branin, a copyist in County
Clerk J. p. Cooks Office. committed
suicide at 3 o'clock this morning Dy
cutting his throat with razor at ms
residence at San Lorenzo. Branln was
deranged from drink and worry over
money matters. He lived only few
minutes after the deed was accom-
plished.
During the struggle with his friend,
Shiman was badly cut on the face and
hands. Branin had procured razor
from a bureau, and il was in an ef-
fort TO take the keen-edged weapon
away from the demented man that the
struggle occurred. Branin managed
10 break away from Shiman's grasp
and 10 slash his own throat from ear
10 ear before the other man could
reach the crazed copyist.
The young mans mother and sister
had been called to the room TO quiet
the raving sufferer. It was while they
with Shiman were soothing him that
Branin suddenly jumped out Of bed
and grabbed the razor from the bu-
reau- Shiman sprang at his friend
him. The pair struggled and fought
until Branin got away by hacking his
csptor over the face and hands with
the blade.
For several days Branin had been
acting strangely. Yesterday morning
he went to the Shiman place and de-
manded a revolver, saying enemies
were trying to kill him and his moth
er. Shiman refused to give his friend
~s.1# II ,aI
with the young man to- the Branin
home, where he remained with him
until his death During the night
Branin was restless and often arose
and excitedly paced the bedroom floor.
His companion as often induced him
TO return TO bed. Shortly before 3
o'clock Branin again left the bed and
IL was soon afterward that the end
came.
Behind the story Of the suicide lie
variety Of contributing causes. Among
them was Branin's morbid fretting
over a suit that was brought against
him by Q. W. Fisher, an assignee of
creditors Of Captain William Roberts
Of San Lorenzo.
For some reason not explained
Branin had made a great ado over
the litigation and had become very
Respondent, fearing he was going TO
lose the case.
AS he was abundantly supplied with
means IL could not be understood why
he should seem so bothered about the
suit. Branin had not been at his post
in the County Clerks Office for a week,
devoting his time to the case, which
had been on trial He told Deputy
County Clerk William ZambreslIy that
he would commit suicide If he lost.
Branin then started on a drinking
bout and wound up at home in a very
nervous plight.
Shortly before the big Klondike ex-
citement Branin went to Alaska and
struck rich claims, cleaning up about
500. 900. He returned to San Loren
20, built q pretty home and estab-
lished a stock farm and racing stable.
He was well known among horsemen
and was accounted a good fellow, lib
eral with his money and generous to
those who needed help.
Two years ago he welded a Miss
Baxter Of Berkeley. She is with her
mother in the college town, having
presented her husband with a son.
Branin was % years old. He leaves
besides his wife, child and his mother,
two brothers and two. sisters, who are
John, William, Mamie and Grace
Branin. Deputy Coroner Geary of
Haywards took charge Of the case.