The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-17
THE FATE OF JOSIAH BACON.
KILLED By 4 DENTIST AGAINST WHOM
HE MAD BROUGHT SUIT
DR.. Chnin,nt Surrenders Himself 20 the Po-
lice md Confesses that he DId the shooting.
but Declares that n wns Accidental.


but Declares that II was Accidental.
SAN Francisco, April 16.-Dr. Chalfant.
dentist. the supposed murderer OF Josiah
Bacon. surrendered himself at the Central
Police Station this morning. He is haggard
and worn in appearance. having been roaming
about the hills in the suburbs Of the city since
Sunday without food or rest. He has made
statement Of tho circumstances connected with
tho death Of Bacon TO the following effect:
"On Friday last Bacon brought suit against
me for the infrlr cement Of n patent subjected
me n n very harsh examination in court, and
threatened to have me committed for contempt.
I was much exercised in mind over tho matter.
and called at Baldwin's Gotel several times to
see Bacon about IT, l did not find him until
Sunday morning about o'clock. At first the
interview proceeded moderately but Bacon
soon changed his tone and became very over
bearing and arrogant In the excited state of
my feelings ! drew pistol from my pocket.
with a view Of compelling respectful treatment.
but with no intention of firing at him.
Harsh words followed. the dispute waXcd
warm, and. In my excitement. the pistol went
ofl-how / hardly know. but not with inten-
ton on my part Bacon fell; ran to him and
raised his hcnd.. lie said. Don't lie rose TO
his feet and fell again. and instantly expired.
| remained in the room a few minutes. ex-
pcctng the people in The house would hear the
shot ana come at once 81 the room. No one
came. found the hall outside deserted, and
supprcs sing the first impulse to report the case
at the ollcc Of the hotel. went to the police sta
tion to give my self up. found no one in the
upper office. and not being familiar with
the building. left after while and walked
about the streets scarcely knowing whrro
until / found myself near the railrOad ware
houses in the southern portion Of the city; |
snt down there and remained nearly al day,
then went to the Sacramento House on Third
street, where remained until this morning"
thalfant has the appearance Of one who has
suffered greatly from mental distress bus tells
his story in n straightforward. manly way that
INDUCES belief n iis truth on the part oi llctc;-
tive J. 'es. TO whom the statement WAS mado.
BosTON. April lG.-rhe ~ sass nation oiD osiah
Bacon. treasurer OF tho Goodyear Dental Nul-
canite Company Of this city. in san Francisco
last sunday. Is still the subject of comment here.
Several dentists interviewed to-day say that even
lar he began suits against them. and often drove
them out of business. In other cases he began
suits when there was no reason Tor II. and, be-
10 unnecessary logal costs. DENTISTS using
ccllulOid. a compound also used for plates. were.
70 all kinds Of trouble by Mr. Bacon, who came
to be known as Old 81" Bacon. II is alleged
that every person known to get new set of false
getting the name OF the dentist and il rub
ber was used and the dentist furnish
ROYALTY or had not a license, then his
hour of woe was Mt hand. In several instances
1t is said. old 81" induced women wearing
false teeth to have new sets made by dentists
whom he suspected OF playing sharp on him
In such cases he. furnished the women with
the money TO pay for the teeth. and when they
were made and delivered the dentists werc.sued.
Ia one instance. by this process n dentist in
Court street was sent 10 Charles street lail.
Some OF the dentists sayahat. although not
countenhncing the murder. Bacon's end could
not have been otherwise. ms all felt that he
would in time meet some impetuous man who
would kill him. On the other hand. the officers
OF the company say that Mr.. Bacon had to be
exacting 10 protect their interests in his duties
OF collecting the royalties OF the company. They
say that tho dentists had come to look upon
him "a the company. and those not paying up
engendcred the most bitter feelings against
HIM. They allow that Mr. Bacon had to
resort 10 many devices TO get evidence against
some men who were known 10 be infringing
upon tho rights Of the company. which was
obliged 10 prosecute them in order to protect
those who were willing to pay the royalty. They
say further that Mr. Bacon was fully aware OF
the threats made against him, but paid little
heed TO them. Threats To Kill him had been
made 10y some OF the dentists OF this city. They
say that Mr.. Bacon was n good hearted man.
and II he erred at all IL was in his honest pur-
pose TO do his duty TO his employers.