The San Francisco call., 1904-07-24
DIVORCE SUIT
CAUSES DEATH
Albert Putnam Takes His
Life When He Learns That
His Wife Is to Leave Him
DRINKS CARBOLIC ACID
Terrified at the Result of
Her Action Woman Cries
for Him to Come Back
Oakland Office San Francisco Cali,
lo16 Rroadway. July %.


1915 Broadway. July %.
Because his wife. Carrie l. Putnam,
began an action for divorce against
him, Albert Putnam Of 1867 Market
street took a dose OF caIboiic acid
some time last night and died at the
Receiving Hospital this afternoon
about 4 o'clock The loss Of his wife's
affection and the trouble he had
brought upon her and their two chill
dren made him believe that he was
menace TO then as well as to himself.
As expressed 81 two notes. which he
left, explaining the reason for his act,
he felt himself an 0utc2st
Putnam was served with a copy Of
the complaint yesterday and during the
day his wife left their home and taking
their two children. q girl and a boy of
nine and seven years respectively,
sept at a neighbor's house not far
away, She was fearful, however, Of
the effect her act might have upon him
and al o'clock this morning sent over
10 The house TO see how he was. Her
fears were fully justified. Putnam was
found lying on a bed in an uncon-
scious condition. By his side was an
empty bottle labeled "carbOlic acid"
Ii is not known at what hour Put
nam took the poison. The letters were
dated July % and it is thought that
probably he had finished writing them
before midnight. What time elapsed
after he finished his writing before he
took the poison is uncertain AS soon
as he was found a call was sent in for
the police patrol and he was hurried
10 the Receiving Hospital. where Stew
ard Harry Borchert Immediately set to
work to do what he could to save the
mans life The effects Of the drug,
however, had gone too far and after
lingering until the afternoon Putnam
died.
The letters tell their own story and
show that while he knew he had done
wrong he seemingly had not been able
10 control himself 1t the times when
he abused his wife ard frightened her.
The first one is as follows;
Oakland. Cal, July %.
My dear wife and babies-I find that
] am q failure IN every respect. 1 am
10 good whatever, only to throw away
what little we have and make every
river and see what there is over there.
The way ] have acted here I have lost
every body's friendship and the love Of
my wife and children. So 1 will bid
You oil gcod-by, with kisses. The l. O.
@ 2. viii bury me. Nay God be good
l. you all ALBERT PUTNAM.
"P. S.-You want TO let r F. Jack
scr know your address so he Will not
have any excuse for not paying you.
Cood-by. A PUTNAM"
Before taking the fatal potion.
however. Putnam wrote another let
ter. in which he asked the forgiveness
OF his wife for what he was about to
do and tod her to let the children
forget him II they could. It reads as
follows:
Carrie: Forgive me for this act
Cod viii reward you for your good
ness. You must try and get the in
surance. 1 think you viii get il all
right. 1 hope so. Good-by. the last
time. Let the children forget me If
they will. a. P"
Putnam yesterday went to B. +.
Woolner. Mrs. Putnam's attorney, and
intirnated that he might end his own
Efe.
Putnam's actions had been such of
late. that his wife feared to live with
him. They were married twelve years
ago at Plscerville and had lived at
BOca and Truckee. He had been su-
perintendent OF an ice plant AT Ice
land. Cal. OF late. however. Putnam
had been acting strangely. He was
very profane and Jew into violent fits
Of anger Mrs. Putnam finally be-
came afraid he might do her or the
children violence and took the step
she did to get separation. He had
often threatened 10 commit suicide.
She was heartbroken when she heard
OF what her husband had done and
followed him TO the hospital, calling
upon him not TO die, but to come back
70 her again. Putnam leaves property
10 the value OF $1,000. besides .. life
insurance policy.