The San Francisco call., 1905-01-21

OAKLAND, Jan. 2o.-Harry w.
Lynch. principal of the Centerville
Grammar School and an educator Of
prominence in California, met death to-
day under circumstances which cloud
the case in a shroud of mystery. With
the side of his head and face blown off
by shotgun charge, the weapon lying
near him, Lynch's body was found at
$50 o'clock this morning in a field two
miles from Centerville by two dairy
men, F. T. Dexoto and Joseph Nevis
The corpse was lying near fence
along the county road. The muzzle of
the weapon pointed at the mangled
head. sfhe Stock was at Lynchs feet
and inside the lower rail Of the fence.
The general indications seemed to show
that the schoolmaster had accidentally
killed himself while dragging the load
ed gun though the fence, over which
he had climbed to wander after birds.
Lynch seemed to be in his usual good
spirits this morning when he left home
in his customary way to go to the
school. But after arriving there he
took horse and buggy shortly before
8 o'clock and drove away. On his jour-
ney Lynch stopped at the residence of
Richard Blacow. He met Mrs. Blacow
and from her borrowed a shotgun and
two shells, only enough to load the
weapon. Lynch told his neighbor he
intended to go hunting. He was not
seen again alive.
Deputy Coroner Francis, who was
summoned to take charge of the body,
declared that his investigation satisfied
him that Lynch had been accidentally
killed. Francis found no letters nor
any other evidence that Lynch had in
tended to commit suicide, although the
circumstances under which he went
away appeared unusual
At the school Lynch's absence gave
rise to alarm. It was not long after
he had departed that the news was sent
lto Miss Treadwell, the teacher tempo
srarily in charge, regarding the finding
of Lynch's remains The dead princi-
pals wife was also notified, and she
was Frustrated by the shock.
Lynch had long been an active work.
er in Republican politics in Alameda
County. He was a candidate six years
ago for the Republican nomination for
County Superintendent of Schools, but
was beaten by s. w. Waterman of
Berkeley. T. o. Crawford defeated
Waterman at the election. At the last
county election Lynch won the nom
ination, but Crawford defeated him.
Lynch made hard canvass and spent
considerable money. His defeat great
ly worried him, but his friends do not
tAlAAh IL COaAo lldNC PlCyC CQ dPOA IlS
mind sufficiently to have induced a
thought of suicide.
In recent business venture in the
musical line, Lynch did not fare well
financially, but even this does not give
sufficient cause in his friends eyes for
an act of self-destruction.
In educational affairs Lynch had
been active. He was an authority on
school questions, particularly in the
matter OF district school government
At county and State institutes and
other educational assemblages he was
always a leader in the work. He was
As years old and had conducted schools
at Centerville for many years Besides
his widow he leaves four young chill
dren. He was brother of DIR. W. F..
B. Lynch of Elmburst. Lynch was
identified with the Woodmen of the
World and was known in fraternal cir
cles throughout the State Coroner
Mehrmann will hold an inquest.