Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-08-23
SIOUX FALLS MAN
CONlMITSSUICIDE
Samuel NJ. Bear, Theatrical Man,
Takes Poison on Street and
Dies al Once.

A stranger by the name Of Samuel
M. Bear whose home is at Sioux
Falls, S. d., committed suicide at
Willmar last Thursday by swallowing
cyanide of potassium, falling to the
sidewalk in a dying condition while
in company with the chief of police,
and Sheriff Peter Bonde.
1t seems that Mr.. Bear had been
Willmar his headquarters for
several days. being employed as trav-
cling salesman for a gasoline light
ing concern. A couple Of days prev
ious to the tragedy man by the
name of L. Tuttle came to the police
here asking that Bear be arrested,
as he was wanted in South Dakota
for certain irregular dealings. He
was told that no arrest could be made
without warrant, whereupon Mr..
Tuttle said that if the police could
keep an eye on Mr.. Bear for a day or
two, a man would be up from South
Dakota to attend to the matter Of
Bears arrest.
In the meantime Landlord Nickel
son heard the rumor that something
was wrong about the man and pre-
sented his bill for board, some $40.
This seemed to excite Bear greatly
and he wanted to know what was the
cause Of the hotel mans dunning him
at this time, and when told, became
very much agitated. He said he was
going out to raise the money, but
went to Carlson Bros. drug store,
where he bought and signed for two
ounces Of cyanide Of potassium,
stating that he wanted it for devel-
oping photographs. Upon hearing
that the man had bought deadly
poison Landlord Nickelson's suspic-
ions that the man had suicidal inten-
tions became so strong that he called
on Chief of Police Gilbertson. They
took a small bottle from Bear, which
however, as it was afterwards prov
EN-, was medicine and not the poison
just purchased, which was in solid
form. -. ~ = -.
Not daring to leave the man to
himself, the police decided it prob
ably best to lock him up. He was
taken to the sheriff's Office where he
conversed with the officers for two
hours in a most rational way, scoff-
ing at the idea that he intended sui
eide. When it was learned that
Bears home was in Sioux Falls and
that he was acquainted with several
of the railroad men who are on the
Sioux Falls run, Sheriff Bonde sug-
gested to him that he go home in
company with some Of his acquaint~
ances among the train men. This
was agreeable and shortly before
train time Bear in company with
Bonde and Gilbertson started for the
depot. On their way they met Con-
ductor Hackett who knew Bear and
had been notified. He was on the
other side Of the street and as he
crossed over and accosted Bear with
a friendly greeting, the latter unex-
pectedly sank to the side walk. He
was picked up and carried into Dr.
Frost's Office where antidotes were
administered at once but they failed
and he died in a few minutes. Tuck
ed away in the watch pocket Of his
trousers were found several small
chunks Of the cyanide. He evident
ly had, unnoticed by the officers
swallowed piece of the drug, the
they are puzzled to know when it was
done as they had kept an eye on hin
all the time. AS cyanide Of pottas.
sium is one of the most deadly anc
rapid poisons known, it is believed
that he had deftly smuggled it into
himself just at the moment that thei1
attention was attracted by the ap'
proach of Mr.. Hackett on 5th St.
just as the victim lay dying at tn.
doctors Office, Mr.. Dreyer Of Bel
leview, S. D., arrived on the seen.
with afore mentioned Mr.. Tuttle
He had just been looking for the off.
GERS, so he claimed, to bring abou
the arrest of Bear and secure a set.
tlement, having been ION the searcl
for the man since before the 4th Of
July.
Whatever Mr.. Dreyer's grievances
could have been against the unfor.
tunate man, they were not to be set
tied by an earthly tribunal. Samue
Bear had decided on change o:
venue and had recklessly thrown
himself upon the mercy of tn
Highest Court.
The remains were taken to tn
Peterson undertaking parlors wher'
they lay until the next day. Corone
Branton decided that no inquest wa!
necessary and the body was taken tn
next day to Sioux Falls by Mr.. Harr.
Pomeroy, a brother-in-law Of tn
deceased. l-.,, ~. -.a.
! Mr.. Bear had for years been ;
lWellknOwn theatrical manager a
Sioux Falls, was at one time said t,
have been wealthy and to have been
candidate for public Office. He wa