The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-10-16
DIES CURSINC
HIS BELOVED
James Tayendale Threatens
to Haunt Actress Gladys
Grey After His Death
WRITES HARSH REBUKE
DeSpOndent Clerk Ends His
Life After Reading Note
From His Sweetheart

With a curse upon his lips and a
threat that his ghost Will haunt the
woman he loved, James Tavendale
passed out Of life last Friday night.
His body was found in his bed yester-
day morning at 337 Eddy street. One
end Of rubber tube was between his
teeth and the other end affixed to a gas
burner. On the dresser near the bed
was note to Gladys Grey, an actress
/ at the Casino Theater, in Sacramento,
in which the following passage occurs:
For remember, even If 1 am gone,
will still be able to watch you, and as
you have sent me to death so 1 will
wait and watch for you unless you turn
over an entirely new leaf"
EMPLOYED AS CLERK.
Tavendale was a furnishing goods
clerk and had been employed some time
ago by Eagleson and Weinstock & Lu-
bin. From correspondence found among
his effects 1t was evident that he loved
the actress, whose real name is Roberta
Warner. and that he had been sending
her money from time to time. Her in
temperate habits and her GOODNESS to-
ward him had disguised him, and
there is no doubt that he took his life
while under a spell of melancholy.
The following note from the girl was
found in the room:
SACRAMENTO, Oct. 10, 1S94.-My
Dear George: Received your little bum
die of sunshine, which was brought to
me by Mabel and Margie this morning.
1 have been very sick a-bed for over a
week with very high fever, and 1 am
very sorry to say that whisky was the
cause Of it. 1 shall have had a nurse
one week to-day, also a doctor. You
: often told me if ever l needed a friend
1 could find one in you. 1 am financial
( ly embarrassed. George, dear, will you
help me? Nurse says 1 must not sit up
any longer, so will say good-by. With
fondest love and kisses plenty, l am
ever your little GLADYS.
Mabel and Margie send their re-
CARDS.
LETTER TO GLADYS.
The following letter from the suicide
was also found:
1887 Eddy, Oct. IL.
MY dearest Gladys, or shall 1 say
Roberta-for you know you're my dear
est, no matter what you take for a
stage name-I know you will blame me
for this and all the subsequent ex-
posture, but, loved one, what does it all
matter what the public say or think,
anyhow? Sweetness, couldn't you have
given me one loving word instead of
turning me down, as you did at your
room door on that eventful Saturday
evening? All, well, loved one, it is all
over now, and let all the blame rest on
poor, unfortunate George. You know
we'll that 1 would have made you a
good husband instead of haunting me
as you did and making me out to be a
fool, and worse. Well, darling, remem-
Der, if you by any chance should be
questioned about this affair you know
strictly nothing-simply that L was one
of the many suckers that passed
through your hands, and you can rest
assured that there will be nothing from
me. Now, dearest love, I think you
ought to take a tumble and quit the
game. Try and settle down to a quiet
home life, and don't hurry yourself into
the grave, for remember, even If l am
gone. I will still be able to watch you,
and as you have sent me below, so l
will wait and watch for you unless you
turn over an entirely new leaf. Every
time you get drunk 1 will certainly
haunt you, but If you lead a good life
from now Orwell, I won't have lived
in vain Good-by, dearest Think some
times of me as the man who died for
you. GEORGE TAVENDALE.