The morning call., 1890-08-30
ONLY TWO SHOTS
Fired From Chen0weth's Pistol
in CarrOll's Office.
A Coroner's Jury View the Remains Of the
Deceased and Scene Of the Shooting.
The Book-keeper's Condition.

Few tragedies in this city have excited so
widespread an interest as the fatal ChenoWeth-
Carroll shooting of Thursday evening. The
subject was the main topic of conversation
yesterday among the politicians, merchants
and the general public, who discussed the des-
perate deed from every standpoint. Among
those who judged most charitably of Cheno-
weth's act, the conclusion arrived at was that
his financial difficulties had so unsettled his
mind as to leave him practically irresponsible
They did not contend, however, that it was
the result OF sudden passion, but on the con-
trary admitted that he must have gone to Car
rolf & office with fixed determination to kill,
Chenow9th had seen Carroll several days
before, and had been pressed for settle
ment, but in consequence of his expensive
habits and the falling off of business, he
was unable to meet the demand. Els was
but the elimination of long series Of
troubles. including his bitterly fought di-
vorce suit, unfortunate investments in the
stock market, heavy losses at the gambling
table. diminished custom at his bar since
the Garness-Arnold tragedy, and conflicts
with his mistress husband. which with a
gamut OF minor miseres. all tended to un-
hinge him. He recently asserted to his
friends that he was being squeezed" and
it Is known that up to short while before
the tragedy he was around among his ac-
quaintances endeavoring to borrow money
to meet some of his steamer-day indebted
ness. In this he was unsuccessful, and
there is no doubt that he then realized he
had reached the end of his resources.
WAS HE INSANE ?
One who was intimately acquainted with
him said Yesterday: 81 have noticed Cheno-
weth's changed manner for some time. In
conversation he continually lost the thread
OF the discourse, his face showed that his
mind was wandering and there was peculi-
arly vacant expression in his eyes. This
was particularly observable since the Gar
ness-Arnold shooting, which took place in
his saloon. | certainly believe he was crazy
when he took bis own and his friends life"
Notwithstanding these claims of the per-
Sonal acquaintance of the slayer there is a
strong sentiment in the community that the
act was one Of deliberate revenge, put into
cowardly execution because halt had been
called in his wild career OF dissipation and eX-
travagance. Ruin stared him in the face.
and because the man who gave him his start
in life desired, after many warnings, TO cut
loose from him, he resolved to avenge his
imagined wrongs with murder and to follow
his Ylcum 10 eternity.
AN UNFORTUNATE POINTER.
To large majority of the habitues of the
Peerless saloon the news of Chenoweth's
financial troubles at first received little
credence. They had seen the place largely
patronized from the very first, had wit
messed its many costly improvements, and
in their daily visits nothing had been OBJ
served that in the remotest degree pointed
to failure. Where the money went was a
t1vln INT 70 hos hob ind
Qhe bar-keepers, for instance) the condition
of affairs was only too we'll known, as his
best men were compelled TO leave him be-
cause of the uncertainty which attended
the payment Of their salaries. He, lived a
high and reckless life, gambled for hs&ry
divorce cost him, dropped $4,000 on a
pointer which it is said a stock Speculation
gave him on Savage. OF this last loss he
spoke with extreme bitterness, and charged
that he had been induced by false informa-
ton to make the investment. To verify
this CALL reporter made inquiries at the
office of Homer S. King u Co. Yesterday.
who. rumor ssaid, were Chenoweth'S brok-
ers, but in the prOprietor's absence from
the city his clerks refused to say whether
or not they had done business for him.
THAT is strictly private" they said, land
we cannot tell you"
EFFECT OF THE TRAGEDY.
the occurrence is the condition in which it
has left Mcdonald, the book-keeper. In
mediately after the shooting he was ap-
pealed to for information, but vacant
stare was his only response he could not
speak, and his questioners saw that he was
entirely unnerved. Among the first
corners were several lawyers and friends of
the Carols, who noticed McDonald's con-
dltion. knowing what effect his utter
ances would have when he regained his
speech, and fearing that In his dazed con-
dition he might misslate facts, they advised
him to keep his own counsel and say moth
ing. These instructions he adhered to. and
in reply to every question after that he
would say. "The attorneys tell me to say
nothing"
As late as last night friends reported that
McDonald's condition was unimproved, and
that 1t would be quite while before he re-
covered from the shock.
THE INQUEST.
Yesterday a jury was summoned to inyesti-
gate the case before the Coroner, and after be-
ing sworn we're brought to the scene of the
tragedy and subsequently to the residences of
both tie deceased to view the remains. The
jury is composed of the following gentlemen:
q. S. Wheaton, 1916 Front street; John III.
Kelly, POI Front street: John Lembke 200
r. ID. Laidlaw, III Front; c. w. Armes, 2S2
Front; William McCastin, Ill California; A.
Elder, i29 California; E. NJ Taylor, 4l6 Clay:
o. Goldsmith, 217 Front; E. b. Partridge,
125 California. The date of the inquest has
not yet been set.
The valuables removed from Mr.. CAROLS
body by the Coroner were handed over yester-
day to his brother and properly receipted for.
Coroner Eaton has decided to retain posses
sion, however, of the money and iewelry
found ON Chenoweth, as he is uncertain to
whom they properly belong He thinks there
will no doubt be contest over his estate, and
that the Public Administrator will doubtless
step in and take charge Of the property.
ONLY TWO SHOTS.
No autopsy was made, as there was no an
parent necessity for one; but from super
fetal examination of the wounds it was dis
covered that only two shots had been fired in
all. The bullet which killed Mr.. Carroll
struck the occipiial bone from behind. and.
passing through the Uranium, lodged in the
wall. In Chenoweth's case the bullet entered
back of the right ear, struck the parietal
bone, struck upward and inward, raised the
skull and passed out, afterward striking n
picture which adorned the Office The fact of
there having been only two shots is further
shown by the presence of three cartridges in
the chamber, OF which only two have been
DISCHARGED. The pistol is a fine 45-caIiber
Colts revolver.
The Peerless Saloon was closed Yesterday
and displayed the badge of mourning. together
with card announcing the proprietor's death.
Chenowetll's remains We're removed in tho
morning to 533 Ellis street, where he has been
living with the divorced wife of Charles AcE-
erson. His interment will take place in Oak
land tomorrow, in the plat where his moth
er's remains are buried
AT the Carroll residence on Van Ness ave-
nue., friends of the afflicted family were con-
stantly coming to take a last look at one thew
knew so well in life and to offer their condol-
ences to his relatives. The funeral will take
place TINS morning from St. 1gnatius Church,
where solemn mass of requeim will he
chanted at 10 80 o'clock. W
st. Mary's Cathedral,
ST. Mary's Cathedral, at the corner of Van
Ness avenue and oFarrell street, is nearly
completed, and will be ready for occupancy at
an early date. 1t will be utilized for the Cath
Ole fair which will be held on October nth
next The formal dedication will take Mace
on Christmas day. The CATHEDRAL will he the