The San Francisco call., 1904-07-02
Knockout Drops
Believed to Be
Cause.
autopsy Reveals
Conclusion of.
Brain.

Mystery surrounds the death OF John
]. Hill, a civilian clerk in the United
States quartermaster's department as.
signed to duty in Manila The dead.
man was picked up IN AL unconscious
condition at AIS yesterday morning at
Beale and Mission streets and con-
veyed to the Harbor Hospital. without
regainihg consciousness he died at ASS
in the afternoon and his body was re-
moved to the Morgue.
Hill, who was about 30 years OF age.
has been connected with the quar-
termaster's department in the East for
some time. but on June he was trans
ferred, by orders Of the quartermaster
general in Washington, from the supply
depot In st. Asaph. Va. to Manila and
instructed to leave on the Government
transport Sherman yesterday,
Hill arrived from Washington, d. c.
on Wednesday and registered at the
Grand. On Thursday he applied at the
l quartermaster's department on New
Montgomery street aud received his
transportation. Further than that the
quartermaster's department saw moth
ing Of him.
The dead man sent his steamer
trunk from the Grand Hotel on Thurs
day night and paid his BILL UP TO and
including yesterday morning. At the
time he ordered his trunk sent to the
transport he joked with the porter
about his trip to Manila and appeared
in good spirits. He then had money
and tipped the porter. whose quick
ear discovered the clink Of other coins
as the tip was given.
LEAVES GRIP IN ROOM.
The chambermaid visited the room
occupied by Hill early on Thursday
evening and Strengthened it up. Later
she found Hill had returned and used
the room, as the pillows were dis
turbed and cigar ashes were on the
floor. He had. evidently gone out and
purchased reading matter. copy Of
an evening paper being on the table
with a magazine. The dead mans
satcheI was also on the table, fully
packed with light articles. showing
that he had expected to leave in the
morning.
At $3.50 yesterday morning Ernest
Derham, a lamplighter living at 2131
Powell street. was passing along
DCciAC SlA CEl MAlEAA AlC uAoNONELtu Tic
man lying. on the sidewalk just north
of Mission street. Derham informed
Policeman ]. II. I-elms of the harbOr
force that the man was there Helms
went at once to the spot indicated and
found Hill unconscious and breathing
heavily. The patrol wagon was called
and the patient taken TO the Harbor
/ Hospital.
THOUGHT 1T WAS POISON.
DR.. r. c. Hill, the surgeon in charge.
thought that the man might be suf-
fering from poison, as he was having
| spasmodic convulsiOns. The stomach
was washed out, and a great portion OF
the contents removed. The case was
booked for Developments There were
no indications OF bruises on the body
nor any outward show OF a fracture
| of the skull
When the clothing of the man was
examined a bunch of keys. a penknife
and a few trinkets were found IN his
pockets. but at first no watch or
money. Further Investigation showed
small wallet in the inside pocket. and
| in that was the transportation fur
nished by the department, few clip
pings from New York papers Of 1901.
/
from the Grand Hotel and 81. s.. s. and
/ 50 bills of ancient date issued BY East
ern banks. No other VaIuabies were
on his person. That fact suggested
/ that the man was assaulted and
: robbed.
/ Is LEFT BEHIND.
AS soon as it was learned who the
man was word was sent to the trans
port Sherman and the ships surgeon
called at the hospital to decide whether
Hill could be taken on board and treat
| ed there. After an examination. Dr.
SnOddy of the transport refused to re-
ceive him on board. as he deemed it a
serious case. The Police Department
was notified of that action and an ef-
fort was made 10 get Hil's trunk
ashore but it was piled among so many
Others that il could rot be found before
the Sherman cast off her lines at Il
o'clock. Hence anything that would
go toward clearing up the mystery. IL
there is anything in his trunk TO do So.