The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-30
SHOT EACH OTHER.
Richard Kentzel Fatally Wounds
Anthony Schrage.
An Encounter Between Morphine Fiends
Statements Of the Affair Made
by the Injured.

Two pistol shots fired In rapid succession
in the bar-room attached to Meyer Bros. &
Co.'S grocery, at the southeast corner of
California and Dupont streets, created coll
siderable excitement IN that vicinity few
minutes after II o'clock yesterday morning.
Before the smoke had cleared away Bar
nett Meyer, one of the propretors, who was
in the front part of the store, rushed back
into the bar-roOm. Lying upon the floor
were two young men with pale faces and
blood-stained clothes. One of the wounded
was Anthony Schrage, known for many
years as "Tony Shreve," and the other was
Richard Kentzel.
Although one was MORALLY injured and
the other seriously, perhaps fatally, wound
ed, both still held smoking pistols in their
hands, as though preparing for another shot
at each other. The exact cause of the shoot
ing has yet to be discovered. There were
no witnesses TO the encounter, and the men
had been intimate friends tor years. Their
degraded lives had cemented this friendship.
Both were victims of the use of morphine,
and both had been supported for years by
the earnings of fallen women.
SURRENDER OF THE WEAPONS.
When Meyer confronted the PROSTATE
men he demanded their weapons. Each
neither would give any explanation of the
tragic encounter. Poll cemen w. Warnock
and j. c.. Hall had also he ,rd the reports of
the pistols, and beat the record for a block
up Dupont street. They summoned a pa
troll wagon and removed the wounded to
the Receiving Hospital.
Schrage was first 10 be laid out on the
operating table. Police Surgeon Williams
found that pistol ball had entered his left
side, and after penetrating the lungs passed
out through the right side. The wounds
were dressed and the sufferer laid away on
cot. KentZel received 4 bullet in the
right thigh. and tile bone was badly shat
tered
An entry was made on the City Prison
register charging both with assault to muir
hospital. DR.. Williams said there was no
hope for Schrage, and that he could not
live many hours. KentZe was also said to
be in very serious condition. as his con-
stltution had been wrecked from the use of
morphine. The bullet could not be- eX-
tracted from his thigh, and amputation of
the shattered limb would probably cause
his death from the shock.
STATEMENTS OF THE WOUNDED.
For some time after being treated the
wounded men refused to make statement.
h Kent was the first however, TO talk.
rather lost both legs than had this thing
happen. We have been the best of friends
for years. Recently we were off hunting
together in Mondocino County. l returned
to the city last Thursday and he came back
Monday. Last night we met and drank in
different saloons during the evening. While
walking up California street we met bar
tender known as Charlie Schrage finally
accused me of having maligned him to
friend. When | denied the charge he called
me vile name and knocked him down.
1.-The bartender then separated us and
we parted, going off in different directions
After breakfast / went into the saloon at tue
corner OF California and Dupont and took
drink While | was standing near the bar
Schrage entered and drew pistol. | grabbed
the muZzle OF the gun and during the strug-
gle 1t went off. After l felt the wound In
my thigh l drew my own gun and fired. 1t
was all Iony's fault, for lie shot Inc 1rst'
sCHRAGE's VERSION OF THE AFFAIR.
AT first Schrage also SAID that the shoot
ing was his own fault, but when convinced
that he was dying he made the following
statement to Detective Hogan:
MY name Is Anthony Schrage. was with a
barkeeper, whose name l do not know, on Cali
forna street. wien Kentzel came up and deliber-
after was IN saloon on Dupont street, when
keniZei suddenly threw the, door open, and
drawing a pistol shot me In the side, saving.
about me-" | had pistol, but did not have
time to draw it. After was shot | was power
less 10 do anything, and II Kennel Is shot he
shot himself. l lave been deliberately MUIR
dered.
Late in the afternoon Schrage sent for
priest. He also made a will bequeathing
$3.50 TO George O'Neill, his cousin $3.50 to
DR.. Williams, and the remainder of his
estate, which includes S1400 In coin. to his
sister, Carrie, who lives somewhere in the
country.
IDENTITY OF THE WOUNDED.
Schrage's occupation was that of a printer.
but for ten years, it is said. he has been a
lover" gambler and opium "fiend." The
woman with whom he lived died two
months ago, leaving him nearly $4,000 in
bank. This is the estate lie disposed of in
his will
Kentzel is the son of the late Police Officer
Kennel He was the companion of a woman
of Ill repute on Broadway, aud was sun
ported by her earnings