The San Francisco call., 1907-03-07
bANKERPUTSAN
END To HIS LIFE
WITH A BULLET
Charles Kinkelin Shoots
Himself in Home
at Ross
CAUSED BY ILLNESS
Dread of a Sanatoriurn
Leads to Tragedy
Across Bay
WIFE NOT INFORMED
Had Crossed to the City,
Leaving Husband
Alone
WIFE NOT INFORMED

While suffering from acute melan-
cholia Charles A. Kinkelin, formerly
foreign correspondent of the London,
Paris and American Bank, sent bull
let into his brain last evening at his
handsome residence in Ross Valley.
From an upper window in his home
he had observed the approach of DR..
H. c. McLenahan of DIR. GARDENERS
sanatorium of Belmont, where Kinke-
lin had been confined for several
weeks. Fear that he would be taken
back to the sanatoriunl gripped the
weakened mind of the banker and as
the physician and his companions
rang the door bell shot told them
of, the tragedy within. Fastening into
the house by the rear door, they found
Kinkelin in dying condition. a bullet
hole in his head. He fingered but half
an hour KinkeIIn was home alone
at the time. His wife. who is a daugh-
ter of w. p Fuller, the late capitalist,
was not informed of the tragedy last
night
Until The disaster of last April Kinke-
lin was alert and active in business af-
fairs. He owned a beautiful home at
1927 Webster street, besides his resi-
dence in Marin County, and maintained
offices in the Kohl building. The shock
of the April disaster had a noticeable
effect upon his mind. Although he
came from Ross daily to San Francisco
with food for his friends and rendered
them all possible assistance. it was ap-
parent that he was undergoing a great
change His condition grew worse, un-
til he developed a case of pronounced
melancholia. He gave up his business
affairs, sold his San Francisco home
and became morose.
Mrs. Kinkelin, after consultation
with friends and relatives. placed her
husband in the sanitarium of DR.. Gar
diner at Belmont for treatment He
entered the institution in December,
and apparently improved under the
treatment. Two weeks ago it was
thought that the banker had regained
his strength. and he rejoined his wife
in Ross Valley. He was in excellent
spirits, and Mrs. Kinkelfn was so
happy at his recovery that she ar
ranged an evening party. at which her
friends assembled to congratulate her
and her husband on the latter's return
to health. Kinkelin was the jolliest
member of the party, and it was
thought that all trace of meIancholia
had left him.
A few days ago. however, the banker
showed signs of returning weakness.
His wife grew alarmed and anxious and
consulted with Franklin P. Bull, rela-
tive. Bull suggested that DIR. McLen-
ahan of DR.. Gardeners sanatorium visit
the patient. Accordingly he had ar
ranged to have the physician call at
the Kinkelin home in Ross with Frank
and George Fuller. brothers of Mrs
Kinkelin. During the morning Mrs.
Kinkeiin had come to San Francisco
with her two daughters. Her husband
had accompanied her to Sausalito and
had then returned to Ross.
Last evening Mrs. Kinkelin's two
brothers. in company with DR.. McLena-
han and Franklin Bull. crossed the bay
to Ross. AS they approached the Kim
kelin residence in company they were
perceived from an upper story window
by Kinkelin. At the sight of the ply
sician was seized with the fear that