Copied from the San Francisco Call, November 18, 1897

Copied at the California State Library, Sacramento, Oct 8, 2009

TRANSCRIPTION

SOUGHT DEATH IN THE BAY

J. M. Berkley, a Young Electrician, Leaps From the Bay City.

He Soon Disappeared Beneath the Waves and Was Seen No More.

The Cause of His Act Is Unknown

Left Letters by Which He Was Identified.

   John M. Berkley, an electrician who resided with his parents
at 159 Corbett road, plunged from the deck of the ferry steamer
Bay City into the bay last evening at 7:30 o'clock, and it is 
thought that his body was carried out to sea by the ebbing tide.
Why he chose to end his life no one knows, but from the 
circumstances surrounding his leap into the death-giving
waters it is known that he did not commit suicide on the impulse,
but went to his death after deliberate premediation.

   Last night just as the Bay City was about to start on her trip 
across the bay at 7:30 o'clock Berkley walked aboard and took 
up a station on the lower deck near the stern rail. He was not
nervous, but paced up and down with cool deliberation.

   When the boat started he glanced around as if to find whether
or not his actions were attracting attention, and then drew off
his overcoat and placed it on the rail.  As soon as the boat had 
cleared the slip a few hundred feet he packed up his coat and 
tossed it toward the center of the deck, to make sure that it
would be recovered and from the papers in it his identity 
established. He then leaped lightly to the top of the rail and
plunged into the water.

   It was quite dark, but he was seen to sink by some of the
passengers.  The boat continued on its course and the suicide
was seen no more.  As soon as the captain of the boat was
informed that a passenger had jumped from the boat he ordered
a cutter lowered and a search was made, but no trace of the
suicide could be found.

   The overcoat was picked up, and on the return of the steamer
to this side it was placed in the hands of the Harbor Police
and was sent to police headquarters.  There it was searched and
several letters were found.  Among them was one addressed to 
Miss Laura McDonough, 7 Glen Park avenue.  It is thought that
this letter contains a solution to the mystery surrounding the
cause of the young electrician's self-imposed death, but this
will not be known to a certainty until after the letter has been
placed in her hands by the police, who now have it in possession.
Three letters of recommendation---one from the Edison Electric
Light and Power Company, one from Charles H. Phillips, 638
Market street, and one from Benjamin Bangs, administrator of
the estate of Kate Johnson---were also found, but they simply
told a story of the young man's ability in life and have no
bearing on the motive of his death.

   Miss Laura McDonald, the lady to whom the suicide left a note,
was seen at her residence at 7 Glen Park avenue.

   "The first knowledge we had of Mr. Berkley's death," said
Miss McDonald, "was when Mr. Crockett brought the letter that he
left for me.  It was a great shock, as I never dreamed he would
do such a thing.  I was engaged to him two years ago.

   "He was 18 and I 16.  After an engagement for a year I found
out that I did not care for him, so I broke it off.

  "Last week he called at the house, and he called again today,
but I refused to see him.  He remained conversing with my mother,
and company having arrived, I had to go downstairs.

  "He acted peculiarly, and I excused myself and returned to my
room.  When leaving he said good-by to my mother, adding that 
it was the last visit he would make.

  "I did not for a moment dream that he was going to take his life."

  The letter which the young man left on the boat before his fatal
plunge is written in a rambling, incoherent manner.  It is as follows:

                              SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 7, 1897.

    Ha, ha! my brain is running to die water.
    Dear Laura, as you have refused to see me
  to-day some day you will be very sorry.  I
  taught you your first love.  I did not deceive,
  as you had been told by others.
    They wrote to you and all such.  Nellie
  made a bad mistake when she wrote to me; it
  was not her fault, as some one wrote to her.
  Forgiving my mamma I forgive my enemies
  and hope they will live long and hope Jack
  will not be so foolish as I have been.  Very
  truly, your loving                JOE.
    From 1895 till death. O how lonely the
  waves look with their lovely smooth ripples.
                                    JOE.