Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-19
SHOOTING AFFRAY.
Bait" Roche Seriously Wounded by
William Griggs.

About O'Clock last evening difficulty
occurred on Third street, near P, between
William Griggs and Bartholomew Roche,
which resulted in the latter being shot
twice and dangerously, if not fatally, hurt.
With the exception Of the principals, no
one seems TO know how the trouble origin
ated. They were seen fighting on the side
walk in front of Griggs' house, and during
the difficulty. Griggs struck Roche on the
forehead with Ratchet, intiicung wound
which bled copiously subsequently Griggs
went into his house and locked the door,
but Roche picked up long pole,
broke in the lower panel OF the
door, and then crawled through the
opening into the house. There he
encountered Griggs, the fight was
renewed, and Griggs used pistol. Two
shots were fired. One bullet struck Roche
on the right arm, inflicting slight wound,
and then passed into his side, probably
into the cavity of the chest, as the physi-
clan who attended him could not find it
with probe. The other hit him in the
region of the stomach, glanced around
without doing serious hurt, and was cut
out from his back. The wound in the
chest, though dangerous, is not necessarily
fatal. Roche was very much intoxicated,
and either could or would not tell why
the fight took place. He frequently used
bad language to those questioning him. at
times thought he was going to die, and at
Others that he would not, threatened to
"get even" with Griggs. and again said he
didn't blame him. He is man about
tifty-one years of age, a hard-worker,
but addicted TO excessive drinking,
and when under the influence of
liquor very abusive and quarrelsome. He
has a wife and two grown children-a son
and daughter His wounds indicate that
he had his right side towards Griggs when
the shots were fired, and that the pistol
was close TO his arm when he received the
injury in his arm and chest.
A reporter called upon the prisoner at
the City Prison, about an hour after the
shooting. The latter said his name was
William Griggs, native of Ireland. He
came to the United States in 1871 served
i'll the United States army during the Mexi-
can war; came to California in the early
days of the gold excitement, and was in
terested in the squatter riots in this CITY.
He is now employed as an engineer at the
Pioneer Box Factory, on Front street. and
resides at 1G0S Third street, between p and
Q. He has wife, but no children, and is
6S years OF age. His wife is employed as
COOK at Inc residence OF well-knOwn
merchant He said he did not wish
to say anything about the tragedy
until after he had talked with his
attorney, stating that he had sent word to
Grove l.. Johnson, who he desired to en-
gage to defend him. In general CONVEX
sation that ensued between the prisoner
City Attorney and police officers present
Griggs said that Tim Roche was a loud
mouthed and bad individual when under
the influence of liquor, and his neighbors
evaded him at those times as much as pos
sible. Roche and his family lived on the
alley back of Griggs' place, their back
yards adjoining Griggs left his work at
the factory at the usual hour went home,
and was splitting some kindling wood on
the back porch, when Roche came in the
yard and pulled up by the roots some
young fruit trees that had lately been set
out. While Griggs was in the house
Roche tried to force in the back door, and,
failing in that, went around and kicked in
the panels Of the front door. When Griggs
ness opened the front door, Roche sprang
inside and dealt the former a powerful
blow in the face. The men grappled, but
Griggs declined to state what followed.
Griggs has the reputation of being quiet,
sober and industrious.