The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-05-01
tloNrcIpE.-A tragedy was enacted


10 our usually peaceful aud quiet city,
on the night of the oath, which caused
shudder of horror to run through the
entire community. The facts as narrated
to US are about these: About 8 o'clock
on the evening of Saturday last, Mr..
John A. Simms, reputed sporting
character, entered the saloon Of Mr. Wm
Glrd, on Second street, and asked Mr.
Gird to take drink, which invitation
was accepted. Mr. Z. L. Turk, barkeeper
of the saloon, wa. busy attending to
rattle which had just come off at the
saloon, and Mr.. Gird stepped behind the
bar to DO the honors. Ipoa this, Sinims
remarked (witncsses disagree as to the
exact language used by SimmsJ, in SUBJ
stance, that if he had barkeeper he
would see that he waited on customers.
Dir. Turk remarked, probably you don t
like the barkeeper. Simms answered, |
don't, and witnesses say, made 4 motion
if to draw his revolver. Thereupon
Iusing the language as given to us).
Turk said draw, at the same time
reaching under the counter, bringing out
his revolver and commenced firing at
Simms." Turk fred at Simms four or
FIVE times, three of the shots taking effect
1t is supposed that the FIST shot para
lyzed Simnls, as he did not succeed in
getting his revolver out of its scabbard.
Simms slowly retired from the bar, after
the first shot, and sank to the floor, dead
The shots were fired rapidly and with
great precision. One shot went directly
through the heart and came out near the
back bone; another shot went through the
right arm between the elbow and shouL
der, not injuring the bone, and the third
entered the body at the navel A. n.
moned jury, on the same evening, who,
from the evidence adduced, found that
deceased came to his death from woun is
inflicted by pistol in the hands of E. E..
Turk. The Sheriff took charge of the
prisoner until Monday, when Prelimin-
AIRY examination was had before S. a.
Johns, County JUICE. From evidence
adduccd before this Court it appears that
Simms had threatened the life of Turk,
both before and on his entrance into the
saloon. Among other things, witnesses
testified that after entering the saloon on
the evening in question, deceased said
(using rather harsh languasc) that there
was man in the saloon that had to go
down on his knees and apologize, OF one
of them would be dead before twelve
o'clock. After full hearing OF all the
evidence, Judge Johns decided that the
killing was done in selfaefeuse, and
ordered the discharge sf the prisoner.
II was truly lamentabie affair, and we
hope its like may never occur again to
disturb the even current of events, and
shock the sensibilities OF our heretofore
peaceable and iaw-abising community
MANUFACTURES. - Compelled to a
strict and close attention to business since
our residence in Albany, we have had
little time to devote to looking up the
various interests that go to build up and,
if we may use the expression, give tone
TO this community. Hereafter we shall
take "spin" occasionally, and note our
observations. On Thursday last, our at
tention having been called to a bran new
thorough-braos wagon, and learning that
cur friends, Nessrs. Wadsworth & Fox,
were the artists who had done the brush
work, we dropped into their shop few
moments to see what was what The
skop Of our paintist friends was filed
with various four-wheeled vehicles in all
the various stages of completion some
of them "primed," others painted and
striped, and others again shining as
ing ceat Of the best varnish. There can't
be nothing prettier than bran new red
wage1.l The vehicles were of the very
best construction, and for beauty, strength
and durability, are unequalled anywhere
The woodwork of these wagons was ex-
ecutea by Messrs. Kuhn & Adams; the
blaeksmithing by Mr.. s. Miller, and the
painting by Messrs. Wadsworth & Fox.
These geBtlemen show by their work that
they thoroughly understand the different
branches of their business, and intend,
by good, honest work., to entitle them
selves to the patronage of tE;s community.
Success to honest industry, say we.
FrRE ENGKNE.--The Ere engine
bought by the city tor the use Of Albany