The San Francisco call., 1905-02-18
SENDS BULLET
THROUGH BRAIN
f. L. Moore, a Los Angeles
Business Man, Takes His
Life in Ferry Building
FAILS TO LEAVE NOTE
President of Western Com
mercial Company's Rash
Act Shrouded in Mystery

| The sharp report Of a pistol in the
ferry depot about noon yesterday dis
turbed the busy throngs Of men and
women as they passed hurriedly on
their way. A moment later the almost
lifeless body Of r. L. Moore, promi-
nent business man Of Los Angeles, was
found lying face downward in a lava
tory of the waiting room on the second
floor. He died on the way to the Har-
Dor Hospital.
A 3S-caliber bullet had crashed
through his right temple The weapon
was found tightly clutched In Moore's
right hand. No note was found.
Moore came to this city several days
ago on business, and 1t Is thought that
financial cares prompted him to seek
death.
Moore was president OF the West
ern Commercial Company Of Los An
geles, and a man of note. He was
about 40 years old, tall, broad shoul-
dered and of handsome appearance.
Several emblems Of the knights Temp
lar were found on. his person, indicat-
ing that he was a member In high
standing.
Several Cancelled checks aggregating
more than $4,000 were discovered in the
inner pocket of Moore's coat. One was
for $1,000 for the payment Of q note
on tho Farmers Bank Of Los Angeles.
Two others for $500 each on the same
bank were also for the settlement Of
debt Besides, there were checks for
smaller amounts on various banks Of
the southern city.
Joseph Sibesta, 635 Folsom street,
heard the shot, and he notified PATROL
man Van Kuren of the Harbor Station.
The officer rang for an ambulance, but
Moore died on the way to the hospital.
The body was removed to the Morgue
and a telegram was sent to Los An
geles.
Moore had evidently planned the TAX
ing of his life, for the pistol which he
used was evidently purchased few
days ago. A box containing forty-flve
cartridges was found in the coat pocket
Of the dead man.
Moore came here with his wife about
three weeks ago and registered at the
SevenoakS Hotel on Sutter street. He
was known to be in straitened financial
circumstances. His wife is prostrated
by the sad news of her husbands rash
act. The dead mans son will arrive
in this city to-day. The body Is at an
undertaking parlor on Van Ness ave-
nue. and will probably be shipped to
Los Angeles for burial.
WE'LL KNOWN CITIZEN.
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17.-Frank
L. Moore (not Gus), who COM
mitted suicide in San Francisco to-day,
had for fifteen years been a we'll
known figure in the wholesale district
of Los Angeles and as president of the
Western Commercial Company he had
amassed fortune. He was a man
who paid strict attention to business,
attracted but little attention to him
self and was one Of those conservative
men whose opinion was asked on most
important business matters and who
was considered a substantial citizen.
He had never been prominent before
the public, although the extent Of his
interests was such that he was well
known to the Los Angeles business
world. His credit was without limit
and he was interested in a number of
enterprises other than that to which
he devoted all of his time.
HEALTH HAD FAILED.
Two months ago his place of busi-
ness was destroyed by fire, along with
several other large stores on North
Los Angeles street, but the loss was
| we'll covered by inurance. The strenu-
Gus efforts which Moore put forth after
| the fire to catch up for the lost time
| which had caused his business to suf-
fer brought him to the verge of nerv-
GUS prostration, and a month ago he
was obliged to cease all work and
place himself under the care of a ply
sician. He did not improve in health
and a trip to Honolulu was decided
upon. With his wife he left Los An
geles three weeks ago for San Fran
cisco and since then only occasional
letters had been received from him. To
his associates in the company the news
Of his suicide caused no surprise, be-
cause he is said to have threatened his
| life unless his health improved. He
was not a prominent Knight Templar,
In fact was not a member of the local
commandery, but only of the Blue
Lodge. The body will be brought here
for burial.