The San Francisco call., 1904-06-09
Popular Captain Dies
in His Room at
Angel Island.
Army Circles Are Shocked
by Tragic Close Of Bril-
liant Career.
Complications With Women Are Given
as Cause for the Officers
Desperate Deed.

captain Frederick 5. Wild, commits
sary officer of the Thirteenth u. S. In
fantry, ended his life some time after
O'Clock yesterday morning in his
quarters at Fort Mcdowell. Angel Is
land. He was seen to enter his room
by a private soldier about O'Clock and
few minutes later a pistol shot was
heard, but as these reports are fire.
quently heard on the island no par
ucular heed was paid to it. Later in
the day, between the hours of u and l.
the captains Chinese servant. having
occasion 10 enter the officers apart
ments, was startled by the sight of
his lifeless bCdy lying on the floor and
beside it a revolver. Assistance was
Immediately summoned, but those who
readily responded quickly realized that
death had already claimed the officer.
The body of Captain Wild was part
ly dressed, plainly suggesting that he
had not retired during the night. and
facts later developed would support
this theory. An examination of the
body revealed wound in the chest,
where the bullet from his army re-
volver had entered and penetrated his
heart.
CAUSES SENSATION.
Captain WiId's death has caused a
great sensation in army circles. From
what can be learned and from reports
undoubtedly authentic, it appears i'm
a direct way that a woman was at
the bottom and the cause of his
death. When Captain Wild came
home from the Philippines two years
ago he brought with him $4,000
Shortly after his arrival here he be-
came acquainted with Mrs. Evelyn
Pittman. From that time until now
she has resided in a luxurious fiat at
sorry that elegance and refinement
could suggest is there.
grand plano, a pianOla. gorgeous
tapestries and everything that the en-
vironment of wealth could give decor
ates the dainty flat. Some months
ago 1t is reported that the captain
commenced to feel that he could not
keep up the strain and often in the
presence Of his friends in the Bohe-
mian Club he was wont to assert that
without money a man should not live.
While he assumed a jovial air at the
club, 1t was apparent to all his friends,
and they were legion. that he was la
boring under a mental strain.
MRS. PFTTNIAN ABSENT.
The beautiful fiat at 1904 McAIister
street was deserted last night save for
the presence OF Mrs. Muir, the mother
of Mrs. Pittman Mrs. Muir was ter
ribly shocked when she learned OF the
death Of Captain Wild, and at first re-
fused to believe that he could have
taken his life. She said her daughter
had brought his picture to her while
she was living in Canada and asked
her what she thought of him. Mrs
Muir replied that while she liked his
appearance as man, she did not think
he would make a good husband He
looked too severe. Mrs. Muir said Mrs
Pittman was IN Oakland and would not
be home until some time to-day.
The last seen Of Captain Wild by his
army friends in this city was shortly
before midnight Wednesday, when in
company with a number OF other off,
GERS he was enjoying the jinks that fol-
lowed the meeting of the Military
Order Of the Carabao at the Occidental
Hotel. If he was contemplating suicide
then his manner did not in any way
suggest the fact to his friends, who left
the hotel with him when the meeting
adjourned. On Montgomery street the
captain bade them good night and in
dicated that he purpOsed to return to
the island. This ne evidently did some
time before morning. The first intima-
ton his friends on this side Of the bay
received of his death was late yeSter-
day afternoon. when a telephone mes
sage from the island conveyed the in
formation that his body had been dis
covered. with a pistol lying by its side.
SOLDIER WITH MESSAGE.
Shortly after the news reached the
city by telephone a colored soldier.
dental Hotel and hurriedly asked the
clerk for the address of Mrs. Edith
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