The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-19
ALMOST A MURDER.
A Baker Has His Skull Broken
by a HoOdIum.
Fritz Krehs Quarrels Over Cards and Is
Brought Near Deaths Door-Ef3rts
Made to Save His Life.

Fritz Krehs, an industrious German
baker, drew his last batch of bread from
his oven at o'clock yesterday morning and
said he would walk down town in the cool
air.
Very WE'LL" said his employer, who
owns the Cosmopolitan Bakery on Dupont
street, near Pacific, come home in time for
breakfast"
But Fritz, SOBER honest and unaccus-
toned to the riotious life of the early morn
ings, did not return, and it is very doubtful
if he ever will, alive.
He was attacked and beaten by two young
hoodlums in the Bakers Saloon on Clay
street, near Kearny, and in the melee sus-
tanned fracture of the skull which may
prove fatal. Late in the evening he inl-
proved enough to speak coherently and
make statement TO the detectives.
But his mind kept wandering persistently
between his short and disconnected utter
ances and was soon lying on his back un-
conscious upon cot in the City Receiving
Hospital.
Chief Crowley detailed Detectives Bohen
and Linsky on the case, but after minute
investigation yesterday no trace Of the
hoodlums who had attacked and beaten
krehs could be found. Only a belief that
the fellows are card-sharps was arrived at.
There were four witnesses of the affray and
all distinctly remember the appearance of
the younger man who dealt the baker the
blow that smashed his skull.
HIS SKULL BROKEN.
KrehS left his work after 3 o'clock and
walked to The Bakers Saloon, where he
was we'll known among the members of his
craft. and very popular for his even and
trusty temperament and character. He sat
down TO drink q glass of beer with three
bakers, and they all fell to playing freeze
out at which they enjoyed themselves un-
Til long after O'clock. All this while there
were two hoOulums in the saloon PLAYING
pool and knocking the balls about idly. AT
last one of them, tall, slender, pale-faced
fellow, with tight-fttIng pantaloons and
short coat, and the tout ensemble of young
rowdy who has fallen pitiable victim to the
morphine or opium habit asked to be adj
mltted to the game. There was no objection.
so they played while until Krehs intimated
that the stranger was cheating. Hot words
ensued, and from all accounts Krehs did no
more than demonstrate with the hoodlum.
The stranger retorted with vile names
and Krehs rushed at him. Then they fought
together on the floor, but were separated by
the bakers. The ho0dlums were leaving
ana Krehs also left the place, but as his
enemies passed out the younger one picked
up heavy metal matchbox from the
counter. Outside the quarrel was resumed,
and the unsuspeeting baker got the worst
OF the fight, for before he realized his posi-
tion his skull had been broken by blow
of the matchbox in the hand of the rowdy
Krehs felt that he had had enough of the
trouble, and went back into the saloon,
feeling dizzy. He sat down in chair and
rapidly sank into an unconscious state.
DELICATE OPERATION.
Then the saloon man and his friends be-
came frightened and called in officers Nc
Nulty aud Lyons. who conveyed the
wounded man to the City Receiving Hos
pital. Meanwhile the strange hoodlums
had made good their escape.
A diagnosis of the injury showed that
not only was Kreh'S skull fractured, but
the dura-mater had been deeply depressed
and the vacant space between it and the
skull filed clotted with extrayasated blood.
1t was necessary to perform very delicate
trepanning operation to remove the blood
ami bring back the bone to its normal posi-
tlon. -Four small pieces of skull-bone, each
about the size OF dime, were taken out by
the trepanning instrument ami then the
blood was washed out by the force of anti
septic solutions under pressure.
During the operation and for hours after
the patient was wholly unconscious aud
his right side paralyZed from the effects of
the wound. But once the blood and pres
sure were removed from his brain his con-
dition improved, and in the evening he was
able to speak and move his arms and leg.
The paralysis had left him, and then Drs
Bunker and Wolf, who made the operation,
seemed hopeful for his ultimate recovery.
He made statement TO Detective Colby
which differed slightly from the account Of
eye-wtnesses. He said he knew the name
of his asSailant, but could not think Of it,
as his brain was still clouded and he hRd
not recovered sufficiently TO use it 10 any
purpose.
The detectives were looking for the man
last night. and expect TO have him in prison
in the course of q few days.