The San Francisco call., 1909-02-14
WOMFNSAY
MURDER IS
ATTEMPTED
Pierre LafOn, OF Uncertain Past,
Accused of Putting Ar
senic in Beverage
Secure Warrant for Arrest of
Mysterious Student and
French Teacher
Mrs. Gertrude COffman and Dr..
Sarah Armstrong Figure
in Peculiar Case
BIackmaiI, Says Accused, Who
Promptly Leaves to Eyade
Law Officer

n TOT in Stevenson's fancfful tale OF
M 'Dr. Jekyn and Mr. Hyde" Is a
more bafiing or mysterious story
spun than was revealed yesterday
morning in the issuance OF a warrant
for the arrest OF Pierre Lafon, as years
of age, student at the College OF Physi-
clans and Surgeons. boarding house
manager, member OF the French nobn-
ity. teacher OF the Freneh language and
globe trotter OF unknown past. who is
charged by two women with having at
tempted to poison them by placing
iodine OF arsenic in their tea while they
gossiped over the steaminE beverage
DR.. Saran B. Armstrong. a Chicago
physician now residing at the Lick
house. Fifth and Mission streets, who
came to California TO take the state
medical examination and failed 10 pass
it. swore to yesterdays warrant. Mrs-
Gertrude COrman Of 1926 Suttsr street.
a widow lately OF Portland, Ore, and a
former partner OF Lafon In a lodging
house. says that her life vas attempted
at the time Lafon.s alleged EFFORT To
poison Miss Armstrong was made.
EIudes the Warrant
The complication began at 1907 Z
Mission street. in a roominE house. and
came to climax in another LODGING
house at sSs Golden Gate avenue. near
Laguna street, where Iaton was Hv-
/ ing until a few hours after the warrant
was issued yesterday.
Al Williams. baiIir OF Judge WeIIer-s
court, went to the Golden Gate avenus
residence to serve the warrant and to
put Lafon under arrest yesterday
afternoon soon after L o'clock. I.afon
was not at home He returned to the
lodging house about O'Clock. learned
that the authorities were searching
for him and left soon after. He has
disappeared into silence as barinx
as the one from which ne emerged sew
eral months ago. TO take up the duties
Of lowly lodging house landlord.
Lafon said yesterday to a representa-
tive OF The Call. during the interval
between the time the police called at
his home and his disappearance. that
he came of a high French family. He
is graduate OF the University OF
Lyons and has made himself known 70
n MerOu. the French consul at san
Francisco. and the prominent members
OF the local French colony. by whom he
is regarded as a gentleman OF educa-
tion and attachments Mrs. Corman.
who acted as his house keeper. and
later went into partnership with the
strange Frenchman. says that he ire
auently received letters from New Or
leans and Napa- 1t is known that the
man received remittances OF substan-
tiaI size, some close to $1,000. from
France. What lies behind these flashes
Of light from his obscure past no one
can say,
Love for Mrs. COffman
Notes from Laron to Mrs. corman
show that he entertained wild pas
sion for her. and in the love laden mis-
sives the enthralled man shows how
entirely his whole life was dedicated
to his love. A devouring Jealousy alter
mated with his passion. but even while
to4A - ScoAVuS uouDtSs the ueAOlOnE
lover. spurned though he knew his sult
to be. assured Mrs. Conman that he
would forgive her anything. and inn
plored her to become his wife.
What San Francisco knows OF the
strange student-landIord-I lover is made
known BY Mrs. CoTman who knew him
so well for several months. What the
world knows the world may tell later.
San Francisco can but guess at it.
The alleged poisoning was attempted
December 4. last. in the kitchen of the
lodging house at sss Golden Gate ave-
nue.. In the dining room Miss Arm
strong and Mrs CofTman were at din
ner. while upon the kitchen stove. in
the next room. their tea was simmer
ing. Lafon. Mrs. Corman said yester-
day. went through the room and
glanced al the women. Then he walked
to the kitchen and remained there 50
quietly for time that Miss Armstrong;
according TO the story she tells her at
torneys. got up and started into tho
rear room-
AS she pushed open the swinging
door. she. declares she saw I.afon drop
S2inE some red powder into the teapot.
sawe Of the powder, in his agitation,