The San Francisco call., 1913-08-04
After Penning Pathetic Let
ters of Farewell to Wife
and Sister, William M.
Rhodes Kills Himself in
Room in Hotel Oakland
Rented the Night Before
PARTED FROM MATE
SEVERAL MONTHS
''With Realization That / No
Longer Have Your Real
Love and Conpanionship,
All My Energies Seem to
Have Been Sapped,' He
Writes-Death by Poison

OAKLAND. Aug. s.-After pennieg
pathetic letters OF farewell to his wife
and sister. William NJ. Rhodes, formerly
of 1884 Sutter street San Francisco.
real estate man OF that city. killed HIM
self in room on the fourth floor of
the Hotel Oakland which he had rented
the night before. by drinking a glass
Of whisky containing cyanide of potas-
stun crystals late this afternoon.
Rhodes was found lying on the bed.
On a stand beside him was a whisky
bottle In the bottle were number of
white crystals.
Deputy Coroner Bert Sargent. who
was hastily summoned, examined the
crystals and at once pronounced them
to be cyanide of potassium
Rhodes is the head of the William
Rhodes Real Estate company. with Of
fees in the Russ building in Mont
gomery street, San Francisco. His
wife is manager of the BRAGG COM
pany. 162 Post street. San Francisco,
which is stamped linen and design
ing concern.
Three letters. which had just been
written. were found in Rhodes pocket.
LETTERS TO WIFE AND SISTER
One to his wife. bidding her fare
we'll clearly indicated that he had
killed himself, as did also the second,
addressed to his sister. Miss Rather
inc S. Rhodes. Hamilton. Madison
county. n. Y.
The last letter was to the manager
of the Hotel Oakland. in which Rhodes
evidently attempted to give out the
impression that his death was from
natural causes
The letter to his wife told of his un-
happiness in their separation. of his
loss of ambition and of his hopelessness
of a brighter future. 1t read as fol-
lows:
Ny Own Dear Lady-The last few
months have been unhappy ones for
YOU and cruel ones for US both And
see no future brightness. for with the
realization that I no longer have your
reafs love and companionship. all my
energies and ambition seem TO have
been sapped and only an intense bitter
ness and unrest remain.
Il have written home that am
going on long journey. think they
VIII --~i-e and ask you TO visit them.
fo~ hey love you. I know you 80
worthy of their love and affection.
4 hope you can read this. but the old
foolish tears viii spill over so l can
hardly see the penned words.
oh my dear dear love. the happiest
years OF my life were with you, my
darling sweetheart wife-Billie.
GOING ON LONG JOURNEY
The letter to the sister read as fol-
lows
Ny Dearest Mavourneen Katherine
Kate-I am going on a long journey. I
know you will be grieved to hear that
the dear little Frau and don't seem
to hit it off at all well together the
last few months. simply can not
adjust myself to be without her COM
goodby.
sWon't you write her one of your
own. loving letters and perhaps she
would make you visit this fall I
know my faults are legion and she is
worthy Of all your love and affection.
In great distress. your loving WILL"
Rhodes rented the room late Satur-
day night. He did not leave the room
q ALL During the early part OF the
afternoon ne had several drinks sent
Up to him.
The remains were removed TO the
local morgue, where an autopsy will
be performed early tomorrow morn
ing.
Word was sent to Mrs. Rhodes by
the attaches of the morgue.
Inquiries at 1894 Sutter street last
evening showed that William NJ.
Rhodes had left that address five
months ago and as the apartment
house has changed hands since that
date emo trace of his family could be
obtained.