The San Francisco call., 1909-03-04
EVENTS THE COUNTIES BORDERING THE BAY OF SAN FRANCISCO
BOOK KEEPER ENDS
LIFE WITH POISON
PercixaI L. BrOmweII Leaves
Bride of Six Months and Kills
Self in Lodging House

OAKLAND, March s.-An inher-
tied tendency toward self-destruc-
tion is offered in explanation for
the suicide OF Percfval L BrOmwel.
book keeper for the Springfield marine
insurance company. who ended his lie
yesterday morning in a Sixteenth street
lodging house. Bromwell was the son
of the late Colonel Louis l. Bromwel.
whose death was self-inaicted IN the
rooms OF the Elks' club in Oakland.
little more than a year ago. Colonel
Bromwell was president OF the Cahfor-
mia insurance company
Young Bromwen, who was 33 years
old and married Ieft his home at $50
Ninth street. Oakland. Tuesday morn
ing to come to his work in San Fran
CISCO He complained Of feeling i'll. but
his young wife, who was Miss Mary
kfndlen of 1921 Union street. Alameda.
did not think her husbands illness was
anything but a slight headache. When
BrOmweu failed to return to his home
Tuesday night Mrs. Bromwell became
alarmed and sent several telephone
messages to friends in San Francisco
in the hope of learning the where
abouts of her husband.
DEATH FOLLOWS FAMILY
The news that he had committed sui
eide came as a shock to his wife and il
was especially severe on his mother,
Mrs Fannie BrOmwell. whose bereave-
mentS in the last few years include the
death of her husband and two sons
Bromwen went to the Fern lodging
house, 1892 Sixteenth street. owned BY
Mrs. Annie Tibbles, early Tuesday
evening He was acquainted with Lii
liam Smith, young woman who is en-
ployed in the Standard restaurant in
California street and with whom he has
been friendly for some months. He was
unable to see Miss Smith when he
called Tuesday evening and he engaged
room OF Mrs. Tibbles, stating that he
would talk with Miss Smith in the
morning. This was the last seen OF
Bromwell in life.
Yesterday morning at o'clock Miss
Smith found note under her door as
she was about TO leave her room to go
TO the restaurant. The missive was
from Bronwell. who said that he want
ed to see her
The young woman knocked on the
door OF his room and BromweH an
swered that he would meet her in the
parlor in half an hour Miss smith
waited for him until 9 o'clock and
when BrOmwen failed 10 appear. she
again went TO his room. The door was
unlocked and after knocking and re-
ceiving no answer she entered the room.
DYING FROM POISON
Bromwe1 was found unconscious. "
ing on his bed. Beside him was a bot
tie which had contained carbOlic acid.
The young man was taken to the cen
trail emergency hospital. where he died
an hour later
Miss smiths statement to the police
was that she and BrOmwen were
friends before he was married and
that he frequently called to see her. She
said that few days ago he sent her
two postal cards from Mill Valley say
ing that hes wanted TO see her. as he
felt respondent. Miss Smith also in
formed the detectives that a week or
more ago Bromwell told her that he
was discouraged and that he was de-
termined TO commit suicide. The young
woman said that she persuaded him not
TO carry out his intention and that she
feared he would kill himself yesterday
unless she talked to him.
Miss Smith could not offer any rea-
son for BromwelHs act. although she
said that she believed domestic trou-
bles might have prompted the deed.
BROODED OVER FATHER
Friends Of BromweIl in Oakland and
San Francisco assert that the death OF
his brother Harry about four years
ago. which was caused BY Bright's dis
ease. as well as the suicide OF his
father, continually preyed on his mind
and made him morose
Mrs. Percival Bromwel. who has
been made a widow less than six
months after her marriage denies that
her husbands home life was unpleas-
ant She is the sister OF the Misses
Annie and Elizabeth Kindlen. both OF
whom are chief operators in the en-
ploy of the Pacific telephone and tele-
graph company. BrOmwell and his
wife boarded with his mother. S5s Maj
ison street, but lived in their own home
in Ninth street.