Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-07

1t was fully go o'clock before the inquest
was commenced. The Coroner, bic
Murphy and District Attorney Johnston
were In close consultation for over an hour
before the case was opened. In the mean
time, every available foot of space in the
Coroner's office was taken up by curious
spectators, anxious 10 catch glimpse Of
the famous criminal and his wife. Many
% the prominent attorneys were present,
besides the counsel for the various defend
ants. Thomas NJ. Marshall, ST., repre-
sented the murderer and his wife, while At
torneys Cox, Reardon and Price took care
of the Clarks. Charles Montooth, Laura
Snowden's attorney, was there, but did moi
take auy active part. Charles f. McKenna
was also an interested spectator, There
we're about 80 people from Homestead
present
The Prisoners Before the Coroner.
The crowds did not have to waitlong. Short
lv alter . o'clock, Fitzsimmons and his wife
we're ushered in bv Grant Miller. Alleyes cen
tered on FitzsImmons. He had the appear
auce Of a Thorough sport He is a slim man,
but has the appearance of great strength He
wore neat suit of black, and his short coat
was buttOned up to his throat His collar and
cuffs were faultlesS, and his black Tie was ar
ranged in exactly the proper knot. HIS face is
large and powerful, one that would attract at
tention anywhere. His mustache is short
cropped, and, like his dark hair, is literally
sprInkled with gray. He wore a worried look
and his eyes kept constantly wandering about
the room. During the trial he took frequent
notes.
His wife seemed weak and leaned heavily on
her cane. Although nos over 40 years of age
she yesterday had the appearance of being at
least 10 wears older. She had a dark shawl
thrown about her shoulders and wore dull
gray dress one sleeve of which had been ripped
open so as to afford access to the wound on her
arm. Her complexion is dark and she has
black eyes and hair.
A little later the Clarks followed, and took
seats beside Fitzimmons and his wife. Mr..
Clark is a man of medium height. with light
hair and mustache. His eyes are deep-set.
HIs wife and her sister, Cora Wyatt are both
rather handsome brunettcs. They were plainly
dressed and did not seem to be much worried
over beng the objects of such general interest.
More Reticence Than Was Expected.
Not near as much was broughi out at the in
quest as had been anticipated. The prosecu-
tIon seemed unwilling to give up anything that
would serve to put the defense on its guard,
and therefore only few witnesses were calleC,
and they were held down simDl- to the general
outline of the crime.
Constable Murphy was the first witness
called. He is still weak from his wounds, and
his hair seems te have taken on a whittier tinee.
His story vas as follows:
ION March q went to Bulls Run, Miffiin
township, IN company with Detective David II.
Gilknson. We went nere TO arrest Fred FiIz
simmons on charges of burglary and larceny on
warrants issued by Alderman McMasters and
Alderman GripP. also had two search war
rants for the house. They were issued OH
March 9. got to the house about $3.50 and De
tective Giikinson did not come until about five
minutes later. / met Mrs. FitzSimmOns and
her little girl at the door. asked her about an
uncle of mine whom knew She was acquainted
with. l also asked her if Budd was at home
anu She said he had been away four weeks and
had not returned. Then l got inside the
kitchen and told her 1 wanted to ar
rest her ana FItzslmmOns. She at once
became suappy and demanded my au-
thOTIty. By this time Gllkinson had
arrived and while I was reaching for the
papers in my pocket. just then a shot was
fired from the other room. 1t grazed my fore
head. looked in and saw FItZsimmons stand
Ing there with the revolver in his hand. We
both made rush for him. Gilkinson had his
head bent low. but by the time we started
three shots had been fired in rapid succession.
and GnkinsOn fell 1 grappled with the an and
got hIs revolver Then his wife rushed in and,
handing linn another, erred: You've got one;
kIll the other!
Shot With the Second Revolver
ali was with the second revolver that was
shot in the breast. When l had emptied my
pistol ! left. Glkinson had nothing but an
umbrella in his hand when he was Shot. When
! returned fitZsmmonS had left. j took MI.
G.IkIusoa'S : diamond pm. his revolver and his
papers. The detective did not move after he
Constable Murphy identified Fitzsimmons
and ms wife as the persons who participated in
the tragedy. lie also offered The warrants in
evidence.
Officer McAlister, of Homestead, was re-
called and again told The story 0I the capture
ot the murderer and the Clarks. He said he had
~ force an entrance from The rear of Clark's
house, and that he found Mr. and Mrs Clark
and Cora " yatt IN a front bedroom.
David h. Gilkinson. the son of ;he murdered
dcJeCtive, next took the stand, and said he had
identified the remains a those of his father,
and also that his father was in good health on
tie day that the murder was committed.
JUEn L. Schmidt, the Homestead ieweler,
was the last witness. He said his store had
been robbed of So U00 worth oil goods-mostly
watches-ou January 29. Detective Gilkinson
worked up the case for him. lie had made the
information ON March before Alderman
Gripu. lie also testified to having the search
warrants issued.
At this point the case was closed. The de-
fense did not ask single question. The jury
retired for about 10 minutes and then came in
with a verdict against all the parties, as stated
above.
The Man Who Caught Firzsimmons.
Next to FItzsimmons and his wife, no one at
tracteG IN ore attention at the inuueSt than
Officer Alex. McAllister, the brave man who
captured the desperate fugitive. lie is a most
praceable looking man. as is shown by his
portrait, presented herewith. thanks to Max
Mueller of the International Portrait Com
pauy of this city. the only fortunate possessor
OF photograph OF Mr. McAllister.
Alex NcA listers life has been very eX-
citing one. lie has been always noted for mis-
tearesSness and bravery and during the strike
Al the Homestead Steel Works he was elected
marshal by unanimous vote of the men. Nc
A!llsters father more than 80 years ago ar
rested in the Allegheny Mountains the no
torlous murderer Reed, who in cold blood took
the lie OF one Mclaughlin. McAllister senior
pursued the man TO the Allegheny Mountains
and captured him. Reed, when caught, had
revolver in each hand, both pointed at Nc
Aliister.
Roland Russell Calvin, the officer who
slSteC IN the capture Of FitZsimmons, was born
on the nlght that Lincoln was aSsassinated,
April y lS65 At the age of 10 he removed with
his f2irllE 70 SLU-Sln City. Cal, where for five
years he followed the romantic and exciting
lie Of a cowboy. AT the end of a five wears
residence IN California. Calvin came with the
rest ~ has family TO Pittsburg and he then
secured employment with the Marine SawIniiIs
Company, NneTe lie worked for a period of
seven wears, learning the trade of a carpenter,
six months ago lie was appointed by the
Borough Cornell OF Homestead as night police
man. Like McAlllsier he does not know the
meaning OF the word Tear, and thew together
have done very effective work in maintaining
rne peace aud creating feeling of security in
the minds of the residents of the Community
Mr.. CALVIN. some three years ago married the
of the late Captain William Bonner,
and Is the father of two interesting and pretty
children.