"The Kansas City Post" (Missouri) Monday, July 27, 1908 TOSS OF A COIN SENDS HIM TO HIS DEATH Los Angeles, July 27. -- The toss of a dime sent John W. O'BRIEN, Shakespearian student, mining expert and globe trotter to a suicide's death Saturday in an apartment house on Grand avenue. O'BRIEN was well known in St. Louis and Chicago, having visited both cities frequently. Goaded to the deed by financial reverses and possibly by a suicide pact, which was hinted at in letters from a friend found among his possessions, O'BRIEN seated himself in front of a large mirror and fired a bullet through his heart. On the floor by his side was found a dime, lying "tails" up, and on the table a note saying he would flip a coin to determine whether he should kill himself or not. Among his possessions was found a volume of Shakespeare's works, besides numerous note books and newspaper clippings concerning the writings of the English author. Many of the passages were marked. The letters which hinted at the suicide pact were from G. W. LANGFORD, an official of the Philippine Fishing company in the, Philippine islands. In one of these, dated March 25, 1908, LANGFORD advised O'BRIEN against getting married, saying that "such entanglements would bring grief and sorrow to dear ones when the time came for them to fulfil their pledge to each other, unless fortune soon smiled upon them." Many letters in the same vein were found. ================================================= (I have no connection with this person but I'd appreciate knowing if you found this posting helpful.) John W. O'Brien, Kansas City, MO =================================================