Death in CA in 1871: John W. DAVIS, Sergeant in Co G, 14th Reg USA
Am not related but may be of interest to someone who is. I have no further info but additional newspaper extracts may be found atURL:
Vern D
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Transcribed by Dee Sardoch;
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Stockton Daily Independent
Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA
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>>Thursday, 4 May 1871<<
SUICIDES in SAN FRANCISCO -- The 'Call' of Tuesday contains the following account of 3 suicides in San Francisco:
Sunday night, about 9 o'clock, a French woman, named Marie GERARDIN, committed suicide in her rooms in a small alley leading off Broadway, near Dupont, by taking laudanum. About 6 years ago, the deceased was employed in the capacity of a waiter-girl in what was then known as the
"Thunderbolt" saloon on Kearny street, near Pacific. A farmer from Los Angeles saw her in this saloon and offered to marry and give her a good home in the lower country. She favored his proposition, and in the course of a few weeks, managed to get from him the sum of $1,900, which was all the money he had. When his money was gone, she gave him the cold shoulder, and refused to marry him. One night the farmer visited her in the saloon, sat down beside her and told her he had come for a final answer on the question of marriage. She flatly refused him, when he drew a Colt's 5-shooter and fired at her, the ball entered her head in front of and a little above the right ear. The man then turned the weapon to his own head, and before any one could prevent him, fired it, the ball entering at the back of the right ear, penetrating the brain, and causing death in a few minutes. The woman did not die, but when she recovered, her hearing was impaired. Ever since that occurrence she was known as "Deaf Mary." On several occasions she has attempted to take her life, but was unsuccessful until Sunday night.
Yesterday morning John W. DAVIS, formerly a Sergeant in Company G, 14th Regiment of Infantry, U.S.A., was found dead in his room at the Philadelphia House, on Bush street. A gland was sufficient to show that he had committed suicide by cutting the arteries of his right arm with a razor that was found on a table in the room. Near the razor was a letter addressed: "'Call' office, Frisco," and it read as follows: "The 'Daily Call:' Publish this letter for me. I am going to fill a suicide's grave, and may God forgive me. I have left $1,000 in the bank at Portland for the Orphan's Home. May the children who receive the benefit of it be men for the good of society. John W. DAVIS." For several days previous to his death he gambled his money very freely, and on Thursday night lost about $500 at a faro table. He was last seen alive by a servant girl in the house, who went to his room to make up his bed. He was still in bed, and told her he did not care about having the room cleaned at that time, and that when he wanted her he would send for her. The Coroner was notified, and took charge of the remains.
Constantine CARTER, a native of France, aged 72 years, was found dead in his room in Polk alley, leading off Stockton street, near Broadway. There is reason to suppose that the deceased put an end to his own life. The Coroner has also taken charge of his remains.