The San Francisco call., 1904-04-26
SONS QUARREL
OVER MOTHER
Mrs. Franklin LawtOn Dies
Because She Would Not
Be Dependent Upon Them
WRITES FAREWELLNOTE
Frederick Addresses Sharp
Letter to His Brother,
Charging Unflial Acts

Harassed by poverty and broken
hearted over the fact that her two
adult sons were quarreling concerning
her maintenance. Mrs. Franklin Law
ton killed herself by inhaling illumi-
mating gas last Sunday night in her
apartments at the Audubon, 11O5 Hyde
street. Her body was found yesterday
morning lying upon a lounge in her
room with one end Of a rubber tube
under her arm. the other affixed 20 the
burner
The unfortunate woman had been
supported for some time by her son
Frederick. who occupied the apart
rnents with her. Owing to reverses
Mrs Lawton's board and room bill had
run behind, and at the time Of her
death it amounted TO 500 Her inabil-
tty TO pay the bill worried her. Her
son Frederick was not at home on
Sunday night.
The following letter. addressed to
him. was found clasped in her hands.
Ny Darling Boy The best. noblest and most
q unselhsh thst mother ever had forgive me.
dear one. but what about 20 do isl
Nei viii be-the best for you and for me.
Since the sunstroke ! have never really felt
been tirles when my head feels strangely.
and ] an impelled 10 do things foreign 70 my
-tature Rather than be a burden 10 YOU. for
! an satisfied this viii end IN insanity. I am
anxious rQ 81 while YOU remember me as your
shim rs. well as your darling mother. May
God preserve and hestow upon you his richest
MOTHER.
Among Mrs. Lswton's effects was
found the following copy Of a letter
written by her son Frederick to his
brother Louis.
san Francisco. Feb %. leO4.-Mr. Louis n
Lewto1-Si Sir. I'm reply 10 YOUR letter OF Febrl-
arr 1a. I desire 10 cali YOUR attention 70 the
1sct that YOU have IN no manner been relieved
vel a. = rsscai,se ,o,, ssvy f. - ebirl[ to,,r
outv. claiming other responsi hlitiea demand
the fruits of your labor. you seem m feel that
you are entitled to lightly brush aside duty
that all men have recognized ana observed since
men were born Of women.
Nere it not beyond your power Of compre-
hersion sou could never have been guilty Of
gift ar thar. which was intended 10 make
your mother r warm winter dress. which she
really needed, in order 20 compel me TO give
10 YOU a paltrl S22 which you claim TO have
spent on her during the period OF two months
when I was not providing for her Shame on
don't believe there Is a convict in any
r7enitentiary I'm this country who would be
mother for my personal misbehavior I'm order
10 force the naymcnt ~ S22 unjust
aim. Mlen-l promised 10 ndN YOU TINS money
7 fully realized how unjust the claim. but then
believed you had been kind and considerste "a
her but since learning OF your contcmhptible
actions in not only wishing 10 get your mother
of your hands but inserting advertisements IN
the papers for q position in menial capacity
Tor her-your mother-besides this cloth busi-
ness, I have changed my mind, and ] shall not
pav you anything. and I hope that l may
never hear from YOU again nor see you again
So long j am alive. Yours truly.
FREDERICK ". LAWTON.
This was in replv to a dunning letter
sent the writer by his brother. The
dunning letter was on note paper with
sbe Palace Hotel letterhead and the
address Louis L. Lawton, SOS Bush,
the Kenilworth."
The brothers called at the Morgue
yesterday afternoon and wept together
when they spoke Of their dead mother.
o Mrs. Lawton was the widow Of a
Hell-knoNn member Of the San Fran
cisco Stock Exchange.