The morning call., 1890-08-29

Finding what he had done, Chen0Weth shot
himself. l have told you the whole and
true facts Of the case, and can assure you
there is nothing more to be said about it."
From other sources it was learned that
Chenoweth had been carried" by Carroll
4 Carroll from the beginning for as high as
$4,000. lie was swamped in stocks during
the late stock excitement and lost heavily.
This put him deeper in debt and Carroll
threatened to close out the saloon if he did
not pay the bill in good time or TO take
bill of sale On the drinking place.
A rumor was started that Carroll had
pistol and drew it simultaneously with
Chenoweth but the weapon missed fire.
There is, however, no truth in this state
ment Carroll, it is positively stated, never
carried pistol, and the fact of his having
received his death wound in the back of the
head dispels even the suspicion of a quarrel.
CHENoWErH's CAREER.
Checkered Life in Which Wine and
Women Figured.
Not more than ten minutes after the
shooting the news reached the Peerless sa-
loon, and George Chenoweth, brother of
the deceased. who has been conducting the
business for some time, ordered everybody
out of the place. Shortly afterward he
closed the saloon and refused admittance to
all except a few personal friends.
When seen by a CALL reporter George
Chenoweth appeared to take his brothers
death very much to heart. He refused to
make any statement or answer any ques-
tions, stating that he had nothing to say.
Even after tie saloon had been closed 4
large crowd remained in the vicinity, and
conversed about the tragedy. Many of
them were old friends Of Chenoweth. The
general verdict was that money transac-
tions were at the bottom of the shooting.
Every one who knew the decease saloon
keeper expressed surprise that he should
have used pistol with such deadly effect.
- Gii &c. lAinb tHat ne would have had
the ne-ye, said one, while another thought
iaSL CEeH o"eiA loved the Pleasures Of life
too inuth, and was to- much OF 4 bon
yiyant 70 become The principal Of such a
desperate tragedy.
LOSING MONEY.
One man. in speaking of Chenoweth's
business, said: "SOme time ago Carroll
gave Chenuweth the following advice:
on are losing money. My advice is ior
you to sell out aud let somebody run the
place who can make it profitable Car
rolls advice" the man added. "galled
Chenoweth exceedingly" He also Stated
that for the last sixty days it had been an
open secret that the Peerless saloon WAS
on the market and would be sold at the
first reasonable offer.
John NJ. Chenowetl's life was very
cheekered one. He came TO this city origi-
nally from Arizona, where he is said to
have followed the calling of a gambler.
He arrived in California about twelve
years ago and opened a saloon in Oakland
in conjunction with his brother George.
The venture was but an Indifferent success.
Chenoweth then met Carroll, who being q
man OF means, and taking a fancy to
Chenoweth, set him up in business at con-
siderable expense. Carroll fitted up the
Reception saloon on Sutter street and
mained for some years. The saloon was
Gfterward conducted by John Farley, and
later was sold to eX-Sheriff Peter Hopkins,
who in turn gave way to the present man
ager, NJ. Sullivan
AGAIN HIS FRIEND.
Carroll again started ChenOweth, and at
a cost Of $4,000 fitted up the Peerless
saloon on Market street. AT first the enter
prise was great success, but with the es-
tabllsllmept OF great many other drink
ing resorts II The neighborbood the receipts
rapidly fell off and the saloon became
losing venture, Carroll in the meantime
meeting all Deficiencies.
1t was in the Peerless saloon that the
Garness-ArnoId tragedy took place. This
fatal shooting gave "black eye" to the
place, men about town preferrng TO 60 to
other resorts. Arnold was q great friend Of
Carr0lrs. and ChenOweth at first testified
against the slayer of Garness, but after
ward corrected his testimony, holding that
his foot had kicked against a pistol on the
floor of the room in which the shooting had
taken place.
FAMILY TROUBLES.
During the first years of his saloon life in
this city ChenOWeth was q married man.
having married the niece of Mr.. Peters.
But his business brought hiE: in contact
with the many fast women who frequented
his saloon in the early hours of the morn
ing. These amours came to the ears of his
wife and trouble arose between them. She
began suit for divorce and he filed cross
complaint. Tie case was full of the most
sensational developments. Neither side
seemed to be able to secure divorce. The
case was before the courts for a long
while, first being in one court aud
then in another. 1t was finally trans
ferred TO Judge Leyy's court, where
a compromise was effected. What
the exact arrangement was between them
was never published, but it was stated at
the time that in consideration for divorce
he would settle $1,000 upon his wife. Dur
ing the pending of the suit she filed petit
ton for alimony, over which there was
very bitter contest. On the hearing of this
petition Chenoweth testified that he was
without means, that his saloon business
was Improbable, and that he was totally
unable to pay his wife any alimony.
RECkLESS LIFE.
After his divorce Chenoweth began n very
wild career dining and winning the women he
to entangle. Finally he concentrated
his attentions on the divorced wife OF contrac-
tor, and for over q year has been living with
her He is said to have been very devoted to
her. Some months ago he took her East with
him, they being members of the party headed
by " Boss" Buckley, and Chenoweth was
present at the celebrated banquet where
Kowalski fawned at the wealthy political
trader
Chenoweth lived with Mrs. Ackerson at
533 Ellis street, between HYDE and Larkin.
Many OF his friends claim that he was mar
ried TO her. She was near the Peerless sa-
loon last night and stated that she was
Chenowe.h's wife.
During the absence of Chenoweth in
New York the Peerless was ran by his
brother George, who formerly run saloon
in Sacramento, and latterly in Los Angeles
but failed in both. He has been for some
time in the employ of his brother, who re-
Gently left the burden of the business upon
George.
During the last week friends of John
Chenoweth have noticed that he was irrita-
bic and moody, but did not entertain any
suspicion of the inroads his business diff
fculties were making on his mental peace,
consequently with some it was hard to be-
lieve that the once gay and festive saloon
keeper had really shot his best friend, and
then committed suicide on account of
money troubles. But they had no other ex-
planation to offer for the dual tragedy.
III was stated by man who was very in
innate with the deceased that he had been
driven almost crazy by stock speculatons,
having recently lost very heavily
Chief Crowley stated last night that he
knew two years ago that Chenoweth was
very much embarrassed on account of his |
rash and unsuccessful stock speculations, |
Chenoweth seemed to have mania for |
getting rich suddenly and made reckless
John Chenoweth was good-looking man,
about 35 years of age. He was tall and |
well built, with blonde hair, clear COM
plexi0n and a light yellow mustache. His |
hands were almost feminine. q He was fas-
tidious in his atten tion to the details Of his |
dress. His liglt soYercnat and silk hat |