Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-27
YAGABOND VENGEANCE.
A MAN CLAIMS TO HAVE BEEN SHOT
BY A TRAMP.
Fred Gray Has Close Call for His
Life, Whoever Did the
Shooting.

| No little excitement was caused shortly
after noon yesterday by the report that
Fred Gray, who is employed in a saloon
beyond the north levee, had been shot by
tramp on the north levee.
A RECORD UNION reporter who was de-
tailed to investigate the matter found that
the rumor was correct, and the history of
the incident is as follows:
About noon Gray left the saloon where
he is employed and started out to order
some groceries at store on the corner of
Seventeenth and streets. After he had
proceeded short distance on the levee he
was hailed by dirty-looking tramp, who
asked him for dime.
Gray informed the mendicant that he
had no money with him, but told him that
if he would wait there few minutes he
would get him little money.
At this the rufisn became enraged and
declared that Gray lied when he said he
had 10 money with him. Gray repeated
his former assertion as to the vacuum in
his purse and the tramp heaped upon his
head such vile abuse as no man with any
courage can stand with equanimity.
Stung to the quick by the cowardly in
suits of his unknown assailant, Mr.. Gray
gave him one with his right" whereupon
the tramp quickly pulled a revolver and
shot Gray in the breast. The victim was
not armed, but he made rush to seize the
villain, who fired another shot, which
struck Gray Just forward of the right
temple, the bali coming out near the middle
of the forehead.
The perpetrator of the diabolical deed
then took to his heels, and the victim, who
had fallen 10 the ground, with wonderful
pluck regained his energies and started in
pursuit of the rascal
The chase was bootless, however, and the
pursuer soon realized that the best thing he
could do would be to devote a little atten-
ton to his own selfish interests. Suffering
severely from his wounds, and weak from
the loss of blood, be bravely made his way
to the Receiving Hospital, where City Ply
sician Nichols dressed his wounds, and did
all that could be done to alleviate his suf-
fering.
The police were promptly dispatched to
look up the miscreant, but up TO late
hour, unfortunately, no arrest was reported.
After the wounded man had received
proper surgical attention he was removed
to his home, 300 Tenth street, where, at
last accounts, he was doing as well as could
be expected of man who has Just been
''shot hard enough to kill"
WAS IT ATTEMPTED SUICIDE?
The latest developments in the case were
those disclosed by officer Matt Coffey, one
of the party sent out to investigate the
affair, and who was seen by a RECORD
UNION reporter late last night.
In the vicinity of the spot where the
shooting occurred the officers were unable
to find anyone who had any knowledge of
the alleged assault. At point between
Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, near the
levee-very close to the spot where Gray
says he was SHOTS a watchman, who has
charge of the cattle corrals in the vicinity
He was there at The hour when the shoot
ing is said to have occurred, and affirms
that he heard nothing of it.
The officers also visited Nelson's saloon,
close at hand, where Gray has been en-
ploved in the capacity Of bartender. They
were informed by the proprietor that he
had heard nothing of the shots. Nelson
also said that Gray had been on a spree for
several days past, and he laughed at the
idea of his having been assaulted as set
forth by his own story.
1t was learned, furthermore, that pis-
toll belonging to Nelson had been taken
from the bar, and the ball taken from
Gray's body was found to be exactly like
those used IN that weapon.
Both the wounds being from shots
glancing from right to left, would suggest
the possibility of their having been inflicted
by the victim himself, aud the fact that
both wounds were powder burnt serves to
strengthen this theory in the minds of the
officers. After concluding his investigation
elsewhere, officer Coffey interviewed the
wounded man at his residence
what did you do it for" inquired the
officer, with intentional abruptness.
why, didn't-what do you mean?
didn't do it," returned Gray, in a rather
faint and half-hearted manner, but sup
pose it might as well have happened that
way"
you took Nelson's pistol, didn't your"
asked Coffey.
NO, didn't" returned Gray.
"Then how does it come that Nelson's
bullets-one of which l have-is exactly
the same as the one taken from your arm?"
quickly asked the officer.
well" answered the wounded man, 81
suppose it just happens to be the same
size; don't know"
The result of the investigation on the
part of the police seems to convince the
| officers that Gray has been the author of
his own tribulation in this case.