Tragedy in San Francisco.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1038, 18 February 1882, Page 4

Tragedy in San Francisco.

■George S. Reed Assassinates His Mother-In-Law and Daughter. I The Mvhderer Temporarily Insane ■ from Overwork. I A mournful and terrible tragedy occurred nt the Mission, San Francisco, j recently,'flie details of which make it; one of -the most painful that has happened in that city' for years. Georue | 8. Heed, a young man 31 years of age, an active, industrious, and honored employe of Macondray and Co., the ’ merchants of Sansome-street, resided with his family and relatives at the house of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Gorman, 2,049 Mission-street, near Seventeenth. For the past two weeks he has been sick through overwork, caused by the pressure of business, and for two or three days OUT OF HIS MIND AT TIMES. Yesterday he took to his bed almost prostrated, but in the evening conversed brightly and cheerfully with his intimate friends, who were in hopes that a little rest would restore him to health. Three years ago he lost his wife, to whom he was devotedly attached, by death, and upon each recurring anniversary the sad event has preyed upon his mind. So far as the Post reporter could learn by a hurried visit to the house of mourning, in which all were in deep distress, and yet busily engaged with the dead and dying, it appears that a little before •eight o’clock Reed left his bedroom in his night shirt, and encountered his mother-in-law, Sarah A. Smith, as she was about to enter or ‘leave the bathroom adjoining with his little daughter, Ella S. Reed, aged about eight years. He at once raised his revolver, and SHOT THEM BOTH. Mrs. Smith received the ball in her left breast, about an inch above the nipple, and died in twenty minutes. The poor child, who was her father’s pet, was shot through the left lung, ■the ball passing entirely through her little body. She was alive at 10 ■o’clock, but her life is despaired of. Reed immediately shot himself twice, once just below the left nipple, and the second time through the right temple, the ball coming out on the other side of the head. He died about two hours afterwards. Mrs. Smith and little Ella were at once moved into their rooms, and medical help was promptly procured, and the Coroner notified of the tragedy. THE NOISE OF THE SHOOTING At once attracted an immense crowd around the house. Officer Harry Gardiner, of the Seventeenth and Howard-streets Station, was promptly on hand, and placed the house under police surveillance and drove away the crowd. Mr Reed was universally esteemed in the neighbourhood, and by a large circle of friends, who appreciated his earnest and manly character, and the outspoken grief and tears of the many friends in the house testified to the high regard of all. The interior spoke of a happy home, and one arranged in quiet but well-to-do taste and comfort. He leaves as a survivor, his son about 7 years of age. It is the universal belief of all who knew him that he was in a state of delirium, arising from overwork aud grief at the loss of his wife, Since the death of his wife, as beforesaid, about three years ago, Mrs Sarah Gorham, his sister-in-law, and a daughter of Mrs Smith, had been in charge of the house and his children. He was of a very excitable and nervous temperament, but had continued at work until yesterday, when he was so worried about his business that he remained at home and took to his bed. Usually he has slept in the front room with the children, and in the bureau of that room he keeps his revolver, a Smith and Wesson, No. 4 calibre. Last night, however, he slept in the next room, Mrs Gorham sleeping with the children, as it was better that in his EXCITABLE AND NERVOUS MOOD he should be kept from all noise. About 7 o’clock this morning Mrs Gorham went into his room and asked what he would like for breakfast. He said he felt better and would like a a good one. Mrs Gorham went downstairs to prepare it, taking Freddy, the son, with her, and when it was ready asked Freddy to go and stay with “ papa.” He did not go, for almost immediately afterwards three shots were fired. She, without knowing why, went partly up-stairs and SAW REED FALLING. She ran downstairs again shrieking for help. As she ran back into the house, she met Ella, or as she was called, “ Tiney,” coming down the stairs, crying, “ Papa has killed me 1” She at once laid the child on a lounge, and sent for a doctor. Going upstairs she found her mother. Mrs Smith, lying in the hall way, She was moved into hoc room, and died within fifteen minutes. Reed was moved into the front room, and died about 9 o’clock. When he was first found the pistol was lying near his right hand and just under the mat of the bathroom door. A bullet was found in the wall near the head of the stairway, which was opposite to the bathroom. Little Ella states that she ran out of her room in her night dress, to “ kiss papa. He caught hold of me, shot me and then himself.” At another time she said :

“ When he shot me he had a hole in his head, and grandma was lying on . the floor.” As Mrs Smith was heard. ; washing in the bathroom alim .-t Ulf : mediately before the first shot v as fired, it is surmised that Reed shot her first, then himself through the head, then Ella and finally himself again. 1 he deceased has been of late years engaged in attending to the Custom House and other important outside business of the firm. He was very indefatigable and a hard and faithful worker. Of late he has complained of [ being run down, and his whole appearance betokened overwork. Late on Thursday afternoon, in leaving for his home, he declined an invitation to enter a saloon with a friend, and remarked that he was very ill, but that he did not know what ailed him. He looked exceedingly pale and worn, and his friend feared that he was on the verge of a severe illness.