The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-06
A SOLDIERS CRIME.
He Kills a C0mrade and Seri.
0usly Wounds Another.
The Fugitive Murderer Is at Last Captured
in This City-Interesting Story of
Tragedy in Oklahoma.

More than year ago a dispatch from
Oklohoma read something like this:
Private Peter Schneider of Troop X. Seventh
United States Cavalry, Killed Blacksmith Candy
OF Troop and seriously stabbed private. The
assassin has escaped.
The circumstances Of the murder were
never made public, and. as the fugitive was
captured in this city yesterday, they will be
read with considerable interest
1t was on May %, 1880, while the Seventh
Cavalry Regiment was preserving order
among the rush of settlers on the rich strip
of Indian Territory, that an encounter be-
tween the wearers of Uncle Sans uniform
resulted in bloodshed aud death. The story
is best related in the language of First
Sergeant Patrick Spin of Troop L,
veteran. who has been since placed on the
retired list.
After the first rush into the lands that
had been thrown open for settlement the
soldiers had little more to do than to amuse
themselves. This they did with a will. On
the afternoon of May 23 1890, party of the
boys went down the creek about mile be-
low the camp and had 4 lively little picnic.
Some women who had followed the camp
occupied cabins near by and they joined the
soldiers in the festivities.
A WOMAN IN THE CASE.
Schneider was very fond of one OF these
women, and as the liquor flowed freely he
made violent love to Ter. A soldier named
Flemming aroused Schneder's ire by also
paying attentions to the vOman, and blood
would have been spilled then had not others
interfeTed. An hour later Schneider was
playing an ACCORDION, when Candy passed
along ana kicked il out of his hand. There
Dp "a
afternoon that came very near ending in
desperate fights. Although some of the
men were under the influence Of liquor, all
seemed to De in the best OF humor when
they returned TO camp.
That evening Schneider again wandered
down the creek in the direction of the cabin,
accompanied by the woman OF whom lie
was enamored. When about a half mile
from tile camp he encountered Blacksmith
Candy and private, whose name l never
learned. They were probably returning
from the cabin. Well, there was violent
quarrel between the men. Suddenly
Schneider drew bOwie-knife and stabbed
Candy through the heart. The private was
also slashed several times, but subsequently
he recovered from his wounds.
He WAS DEAD.
"The noise of the encounter attracted
First Sergeant Davis Of Company A, Ihir-
tenth Infantry. Davis saw the two men
lying ON the ground and quickly discovered
that Caudy was dead. Why he did not
take Schneider into custody ! do not know
Perhaps he was afraid of the assassin. The
Sergeant told Schneider to remain where he
was until the matter was reported at head
quarters. Schneider said, cOoliy, If that
man is dead. I'm not going to camp He
kept his word, for no sooner had Davis
turned his back than he Scampered off.
Although pursued he easily made his escape
in the darkness, for it was then after II
O'clock. He was not seen in Oklahoma
again.
An investigation of the murder and the
escape OF the assassin was made by the
military authorities. 1t resulted in Ser
geant Davis and two privates being locked
up IN the Euard-hCuSe for several days for
negligence in allowing Schneider TO escape.
This Is all that occurred In connection with
the affair in the Indian country
FACE TO FACE.
Having been retired from the service,
l happened to be in Los Angeles four
months ago. While passing along First
street, near Alameda, l encountered
Schneider face to face. 1t was my inten-
ton to capture him, but before | had made
up my mind as to what course TO pursue he
skunk around the corner and disappeared.
In vain l searched for him, but my search
was not rewarded"
From the Angel City" Spin came here.
and has since been stopping at 1921 Mission
street lie is a man about 30 years Of age
with a sharp, reSolute face. While stroll
ing along kearny street yesterday after
noon his heart gave bound as he saw
Schneider standing near the corner Of
WASHINGTON street in front Of the old City
Hall. Schneider was not at all pleased by
the unexpected meeting BE took a long
breath and turned very pale as he eX-
claimed, IF should go to China l would
meet you"
Spin decided to turn Schneider over to
the, inst policeman, encountered. Being
little acquainted with the city, lie did not
know thai he was within a few yards of
police headquarters. He quickly decided
upon a plan to capture the fugitive, so he
extended his hand and said pleasantly,
Schneider, old boy, how are yOu?"
THE THIRSTY RUsE.
Schneider intimated that he was feeling
rather thirsty, and the two men started
down Kearuy street. Numerous saloons
were visited. and all the time Spin was
keeping sharp lookout for the police. No
blue-coated guardian of the peace hove in
sight, however, and after reaching Market
street Spin retracCd his steps toward the old
City IL IL. AT the corner of Clay street he
suddenly seized Schneider by the arm and
exclaimed, ~ on are my prisonerP Schnei-
Ger struggled violently, and as crowd
began to gather he shook off the hold of his
captor and few toward Washington street
Sergeant SpIlIane and Officer CoOgan of the
Chinatown squad joined in the pursuit and
so N had tile fugitive cornerCd in a Chinese
restaurant at 1UO6 Dupont street. He was
marched to the City Prison. closely followed
by the painting, retired Sergeant. His name
was placed on the small book and he was
owed away in the ''hole in the wall" The
risOner is rs years of age. He is a German
oil dark complexion and shrewd features.
DOES NOT DENY IT.
Yes" said he TO a CALL reporter, sit is
true that | killed Candy and wounded
another soldier, whose name don't know.
We were all drunk a. the time. Candy
knocked me down with an iron bar. and |
then did the stabbing in self-defense.
Where did | go after my escape from
Oklahoma? l made my way through
Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and after a
great deal of hardship and suffering reached
Los Angeles. There l met my nemesis,
Spin. Now that l am captured l don't care
what they do with me. | was a fool or |
would have maze my way out of the country
long ago."
Schneider will probably be turned over to
the Federal authorities to-day.