The San Francisco call., 1909-02-08
Old Man Becomes Crazed When
Object of Affection Informs
Him of Another Affinity
Mrs. Mary Thomas of Stockton
May Die, but R. J. Hammock
Viii Recover
A. P. Reinhart, Oakland Police
man, Mentioned as Third
Principal in Tragedy


jealous lover, Mrs Mary Thomas
~ for whom q wealthy Stockton
lumber merchant committed sui
eide IN the Palace hotel in San Fran
cisco i've years ago, is al the emergency
hospital with three bullet wounds in
her head. The shots were fred by
r J. Hammock OF Iakeport, 66 years old,
who then turned the revolver against
himself and fred three bullets at his
own head. Mrs. Thomas viii probably
die, but Hammock viii recover.
Hammock, who is Lake county pio-
neer. and Mrs. Thomas, who was the
proprietress OF the Aloha lodging house
in this city. had been living together
Tor two months. Hammock heard to-
day that the woman had been receiving
the attentions OF Policeman Reinhart,
and In a jealous rage he shot her.
Finds Woman Unconscious
with blood flowing from the wounds
in his head Hammock walked into a
drug store IN Sixteenth street and
asked for poison Policeman John Muir
ray placed him under arrest To him
Hammock told his story. Murray
fastened to Mrs. Thomas rooms, 524h
Sixteenth street. and found her uncon-
scious in a pool Of blood She was
taken to the hospital, but cid not re-
gain consciousness.
Filled with remorse Hammock broke
down IN the hospital and related the
circumstances. He said that he had
discovered that while the proprietress
% the Aloha was bestowing her real
affections on Patrolman August P.
Reinhart Of the Oakland department,
she was accepting his costly presents.
He also said he discovered that Mrs.
Thomas had husband in Stockton
who is a carpenter.
Hammock lived in Lake county all
his life until a few months ago. He
was a policeman at Lakeport several
years. and has three sisters there.
Two are the wives OF attorneys, and
the third is Mrs. c. NJ Crawford. wife
Of the superior judge OF Lake county
Lost Money On Races
Three months ago Hammock came
TO Oakland to play the races He had
few thousand dollars and at first
won. Two months ago Mrs. Thomas
bought the Aloha house. where Ham
mock lived. and they became friends
The friendship ripened. and Hammock
said that when he heard Of Policeman
Reinhart's visits to the place he became
desperately jealous.
She is the kind of woman with
whom man would become infatuated -
he explained.
Hammock lavished gifts on her, and
in a short time was penniless, so great
was his affection, despite his SIS years
few days ago his jealousy led him to
attempt suicide. He turned on the gas
IN his room. and his attempt was frus-
trated by discovery
Pawns Watch to Buy Revolver
Yesterday Hammock demanded that
Mrs. Thomas give up her third affinity.
She refused. and IN a note to him the
name OF Reinhart was used. Then Ham
mock pawned his watch and bought a
revolver. This afternoon he made his
demands anew. The woman ignored
them. and the shooting followed.
In Hammock's room the police found
q note containing instructions to L FL
Boggs 20 have his body cremated and
sent to Lakeport. For this. he wrote
he had provided money.
Reinhart has been a policeman for
two years, is married and has two
children, and has enjoyed an excellent
reputation.
Chief Wilson made no comments on
the implied misconduct Of his suhaltern
merely saying, We VIII get the truth"
Mrs. Thomas has two sons, one Is
years old. named Daniel. living in oak
land. The other is with her husband
at Stockton.
Policeman Reinhart declines to dis
cuss the affair or to tell of his acquaint-
snce with Mrs. Thomas.