WILLIS

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Friday, August 19, 2011 at 05:50:24 :

Marin Journal
Thursday, May 18, 1905
Page 2

Dropped Dead on Mount Tamalpais

Sunday afternoon at 1 o’clock on the trail to the top of Tamalpais and several miles above Mill Valley Frank H. Willis, of San Francisco, dropped to the ground and died almost instantly. He had often made the trip up the trail without inconvenience, and when he started he was in the best of health. As the maximum heat reported from the weather bureau station on the crest of the mountain was only 73 degrees Fahrenheit, the prostration was most remarkable.

Mr. Willis, who was forty-three years old, was accompanied by his son. When he suddenly sank down his son rushed to his side, but Mr. Willis was dead before help could be summoned.

Dr. Spottiswood was the first physician to attend the case, and he decided that the heat and the exertion of climbing the trail had caused a sudden rupture at the heart.

The body was carried down the trail to the Scenic railway track, where a train conveyed it to Blythedale. Deputy Coroner Morrison took charge of the body. In order to get it to San Francisco as soon as possible it was taken to Sausalito, where Justice of the Peace J. H. Pryor hastily summoned a jury. In the meantime the son continued to the city in order to break the news to his mother, who is an invalid.

At the inquest Dr. Spottiswood testified that death was due to heart disease, aggravated by the heat and overexertion. George A. Moore testified to what the son had told him regarding his father’s death. The jury retured a verdict in accordance with the doctor’s testimony. The body was then taken to San Francisco.

Mr. Willis was an old and trusted employee of Goodall, Perkins & Co. of San Francisco for many years. He resided at 1602 Vallejo street, San Francisco.