The San Francisco call., 1908-04-09
PAY TOO SMALL
FOR MARRIAGE,
LIEUTENANT DIES
Army Officer Shoots Himself in
Dependency Over Mea-
ger Income
Support of Mother and Sisters
on Sl,5O0 Proves Heavy
Enough Burden
David A. Lindsay Chooses Death
Rather Than Live His
Life Alone

First Lieutenant David A. Lindsay,
signal corps. u. S. A, committed sui
eide in his quarters at the Preside
yesterday morning at IL o'clock. His
death is q tragic commentary on the
neager pay allowed by the federal
government to the officers in its serv-
ice; for underlying the suicide and
!. explaining It is q story of young
mans melancholy superinduoed be-
cause his salary OF $500 year was
insufficient to support his dependent
mother and two sisters and permit
him 10 assume the added responsibility
of married life. He loved a girl in his
birthplace. Philadelphia. but could not
hope 70 marry her while he followed
the martial profession.
So Lieutenant Lindsay chose TO die
tuesday he destroyed all his papers
she letters from the girI in PhiladeI-
phia, the pictures which he always car
ried with him. the ksepsakes from heI
and from his mother. Yesterday morn
ing ne borrowed q revolver from the
company sergeant. Offering the expla-
nation that he wanted 70 shoot al q
target. Then lie went 70 his quarters
IN the Tennessee camp and shot hinseli
in the right temple. The ball came oui
behind the left ear. Lindsay must have
died instantly. but his body was not
found until o'clock in the afternoon
WINS HIS COMMISSION
The deceased officer was Of the Ffrs,
fursstry. but was on detached service
vita Company Z. Signal corps For
three years he was stationed at Renicia
barracks. and six weeks ago was trans
ferred 10 the Preside. Lindsay entered
the army during the Spanish war. serv-
ing as a private and in the noncom-
-nissioned grades in the Second artil-
lery until August S. 1900. when he re
osivso his commission as a second lieu
tenant and entered the infantry
While Lindsay was popular among
his fellow Officers his moody and eccen-
tric eoaduot came IN for considerable
notice, snd at Beaicia SO peculiar and
queer were some OF the actions OF the
yourg solder that an examination was
oFoered 20 determine his fitness for
serT1ce. The commissions report was
favorable 10 the lieutenant ana he con
Sinued his duty and his daily post life
Apparently he was suffering from some
minor mental worry.
sFoRosE AND MOODY
for weeks the soldier would be
r1orose and duh. scarcely speaking tc
Fs associates Then he would deveior
~ soIly turn an6 mingIe most arably
with his fellow officers All this time
She correspondence with the Philadel-
phia girl continued But marriage wa.
no nearer for the subsltern on The
unesger United States army pay.
Lindsay was detailed TO the Preside
January 20 with his company. which i.
AT the post he gained the reputation
of being quiet and attentive 70 duty
he attended some social functions. ap-
pssTinE occasionally during the latter
part Of the season at Mrs Inez Short
Whites balls But he took no part ir
the Esyer life OF the city's cafes. which
is affected by many young officers Of
fever responsibilities.
Ten days ago his condition changed
suddenly. and from being an efficient
and conscientious ofacer. paying every
attention 10 his duties. Lieutenant
Lindsay became absolutely indifferent
20 his work
Is TRAGEDY'S WARNING
This queer conduct was a forewarn.
ing OF yesterdays tragedy.
( Colonel John A Lundeen. command
ant OF the Presidio. and Colone
George II. Torney. in charge Of the
general hospital at the Presidio ex-
pressed great distress last evening over
the death OF Lieutenant Lindsay. They
spoke OF him as a studious. efficient
oficer. quiet and earnest in his duties
They could assign no cause nor motive
for his suicide. Il was from friends ID
Benioia that the romance OF the PhiIa-
delphia girl and the tragedy Of small
pay wss learned.
The body OF Lieutenant Lindsay was
removed from his quarters TO the NOR
tusry chapel at the Presidio general
hospital and viii be prepared for ship
ment 70 the Philadelphia relatives. In
the family IS said 10 be brother who
IS a clergyman. Lindsay was born in
Philadelphia July II, 1875. and was
educated at Girard college. from which
he was graduated IN 1892
PLAN NEW BUILDING