NEYLON

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 05:30:50 :

Marin Journal
Thursday, May 14, 1914
Page 8

Cuts Throat With A Pocket Knife

Friday evening at about seven-thirty o’clock, while attempting to find the eggs that his hens had stolen away to set, John Foge of Petaluma Avenue stumbled across the prostrate body of a suicide. There is a dry creek that runs from the rear of Mr. Foge’s home across an adjacent lot owned by Mr. Lund and rented by Mr. Foge for pasture land. It is a spot seldom visited by anyone except in a search for eggs and perhaps for that reason chosen by the self-slayer. Frightened, Mr. Foge telephoned F. E. Sawyer, coroner, who was at that time absent on a similar case.

Investigation disclosed two incisions in the neck of the deceased. It is apparent that his first attempt at suicide was unsuccessful. The second on the other side of his neck severed a vital cord and his purpose was accomplished. By the decomposition setting in and the fly-blows on his eyes, it was evident that he had been dead at least two days. In further search the instrument of suicide, a pocket knife, was found by Mr. Foge’s son near the body.

The deceased, Joseph Neylon, was identified by his brother, James R. Neylon of 232 Mather street, San Francisco. He was fifty-nine years of age, the black sheep of the family and more or less a wanderer. He is supposed to have been employed one day at the St. Raphael’s church. The remains were shipped to San Francisco for burial.