The San Francisco call., 1909-10-02
CUSHING'S SUICIDE
DUE TO I'LL HEALTH
Family Life and Financial Af-
fairs Gave No Cause for
Dependency
Many Messages OF Coincidence
Received by Wife, Who Is
Frustrated by Tragedy
Especial Dispatch 10 The CALI

SAN RAFAEL, Oct. 1.-The family of
Sydney B. Cushing, who committed sui
eide yesterday afternoon in the grounds
of his summer home at Mill Valley be-
cause of i'll health, received many mes
sages and visits of coincidence here to-
day. Besides having been president of
the Mil Valley and Mount Tamalpais
railroad Gushing was one of the best
known citizens of the county.
Mrs. Cushing was able TO receive only
the Oldest friends of the family. The
shock of her husbands tragic death
completely prostrated her. Although
he had been subject to fits of melan-
eholy since May L. when he suffered
stroke of paralysis, no intimation of
his intention to take his own life was
ever given. Mrs. Cushing, who is nat
urally of a cheerful disposition, made
every effort to awaken him from his
periods of dependency and there ap-
pears to have been nothing in his home
life which would lead him to commit
suicide.
LAST PARTING CHEERFUL
Yesterday morning Mrs. Cushing ac-
companied her husband to Sausalito,
where they parted. she to attend a
luncheon at the Hotel st. Francis and
he to go to Mill Valley on business for
the railroad of which he was president.
He was then in the most pleasant frame
of mind and talked upon a variety of
subjects in light. untroubIed manner.
The family is certain that there was
no cause for Cushings suicide save
dependency brought on through i'll
health. The theory of financial troubles
is without weight. as he left a comfort
able fortune. William Kent, the we'll
known millionaire of Kentfield, who
owns the controlling interest in the Mill
Valley and Mount Tamalpais railroad,
has been notified of cushing's death.
SUCCESSOR NOT ANNOUNCED
Kent recently went east to place his
son in Yale university and will not re-
turn for several days. so that the ex-
throw some additional light on the
cause of Cushing's act can not be sat
isfied at present.
Kent and Cushing were great friends,
as the latter began life in the Chicago
wheat pit with Kent's father, and was
the sons chief business adviser on this
coast. Who Cushing's successor for
the presidency of the railroad will be
has not yet been learned.
GRAPE FESTIVAL POSTPONED
In San Rafael, where Cushing's
friends were among the most prom
inent, the impression prevails that sick
ness was the sole cause of his act. The
body was brought from Mill Valley to
the old Fourth street residence of the
family early this morning by Coroner
F. f. Sawyer. Through the night Mrs.
Cushing was comforted by her two
children, Dolly and John. James Jen-
kins. to whom Dolly is engaged to be
married, was also present.
The funeral will take place tomorrow
afternoon at . O'clock from the home
here, Rev. j. NJ. Cutting of st. Pau1's
Episcopal church will officiate, and the
burial will sbe at Mount Tamalpais GEM
etery. The funeral has been arranged
by f. E. Sawyer.
Out of respect for the Cushing fam
lily Mrs. A. E. Kent of Kentfeld. the
mother of William Kent, has ordered
the grape festival which was to have
taken place there tomorrow, postponed
for a week. The wedding of Dolly
Cushing and James Jenkins has also
been put off for year.