The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-18
HE SHOT TO KILL.
MurderOus Assault of an
Ex-COnviCt.
FRIENDSHIP WAS AT AN END,
Alfred DAMS Probably Fatally
Wounded in a Quarrel With
Former Companion.

A shooting ARRAY in which Alfred DAMS
was shot and probably fatally wounded by
Alexander Talbot, alias A. j. Fol bes, oc-
Cured at the corner of Grove and Polk
streets shortly after 6 o'clock last night
The wounded man was taken to the Re-
ceiving Hospital. where ne lies on cot in a
critical condition, while his murderous as
saiiant was locked up in the new City Hall
police station on a charge of assault to com.
NIT murder.
viii throw considerable light upon num-
Der of roDberies and thefts which have for a
long time baffled the police.
The cause of the trouble is unknown, as
both men refuse to talk of the affair They
are we'll known to the police as typical
hoodums and petty thieves, who would
hesitate at nothing, and the police think
that it was tie result Of quarrel over the
division of some spoils.
The scene of the shooting was the bar
room Of grocery-store at the northwest
corner OF Grove and Polk streets, owned by
Charles Daehnke, a German, and which
was freauented by both meh.
Daehnke was absent at the time and left
the place in charge of j. j. Barry, who was
the only witness TO the shooting.
V
hood was startled by the loud report of two
pistol shots fired in rapid succession. A
large crowd Immediately gathered, among
them Policeman Z. III. Herring, who had
just reported off duty and was eating his
supper in restaurant near by.
The officer forced his way into the place
and inquired the cause of the trouble from
Barry, who was behind the bar. At first
Barry denied that any shots had been fred
and finally stated that "a kid had fired of
two firecrackers just for fun"
From some bystanders. however, the
officer learned tina. one shot had been fred
in the barroom aud that moment later
young DAMS was seen 10 run out of the
front entrance of the place and attempted
to cross the street. crying that he had been
shot. Before he could get any distance
away Talbot appeared in the doorway with
the still smoking revolver In his hand and
fired the second shot. which brought his
victim to the ground.
A number of his friends assisted DAMS to
reach the Receiving Hospital, while others
hustled his assaiant out the rear entrance
of the place and helped him to escape before
the officer arrived.
DAMS was at once placed on the operat-
ing-table at the hospital. bleeding freely
from bis wounds. DR.. Berry found that
one of the bullets had struck him in the
back near the left shoulder. and striking q
rib had glanced of, finally lodging in the
the pneumogastric nerve. which if cut
would have resulted in instant death.
The second bullet struck the unfortunate
man in the upper part of the left thigh,
passing through and infiicting painful but
not dangerous flesh wound.
DR.. Berry extracted the first bullet from
its dangerous position and DAMS was put
TO bed.
The physicians Informed him of his
dangerous condition, and an officer was sent
for to take his aDte-mortem statement but
1t as with some difficulty that be could be
induced 10 give the name and description Of
the wOuld-be murderer.
Officers were at once dispatched to Talbot's
home at 797 Stevenson street, where be
lives with his family. He could not be
found. but was apprehended an hour later
by Policeman 2. II. Herring at the scene OF
his crime.
Herring was watching the locality, when
Talbot was seen to enter the rear entrance
OF the saloon, doubtless to ascertain the
result of the shooting
As the officer approached he attempted to
draw pistol from his pocket, but was
quickly dis armed and taken to the police
station. where he gave the name of A. j.
Forbes.
Talbot at first denied all knowledge of the
shooting in maudln way, which Indicated
that he was Intoxicated.
When the pistol found in his possession
was examined. however. the police found
that it vas a 38-caliber revolver OF cheap
make. and that two of the i've chambers
had been recently emptied.
He was at once taken TO the bedside of his
dying victim TO be identified.
DAMS without hesitation positively reeog-
niZed him as his assaiIant. but had scarcely
spoken the words when Talbot sprang at the
prOstrate man like wild beast and at
tempted to strike him with the handouts.
with which he was menacled. He was
quickly oyerpowered and hustled off to his
cell.
During the scene Talbot freely admitted
the shooting. and expressed regret that he
had not killed his victim instantly. but re-
fused to give any reason for the crime.
Both DAMS and Talbot are we'll known to
the police as petty thieves. Talbot has until
recently resided with his family at TOT
Stevenson street, but has been disowned by
the family on account of his hayward pro-
pensities.
DAMS has been vagrant for some months
and had no fixed place OF residence He
said that he last lived at the Oxford House
on Third street. which he left some time
ago. and since then has slept wherever he
could find lodging.
Talbot Is a sulky brHte whose face ap-
pears il the Rogues' Gallery at the Central
police station. He is 90 years old, and
native Of this State. A charge of assault
with deadly weapon has been pending
Talbot has served several terms for yarj-
Gus offeDses In the House of Correction and
County Jail and was known as desperate
character.
The men had been constant companions
for the past few months and answer the
description given by a number of people.
who have been robbed lately, of their as
salsntS.
When searched at the hospital a false
black mustache and a pair OF black glasses
were found in DAMS packet, which we're
doubtless used as disguise
This fact leads the police to think that
the shooting was the result of a quarrel
over the division of some spoils which the
two had stolen.
d. j. Barry, the bartender, who Is an i'm.
portant witness in the case, and attempted
TO suppress the facts of the shooting when
CUES toned by the police. was later arrested
by Policeman Herring and locked up at the
new City Hall police station, where he was
charged with drunkenness. but will be
held as witness in the case.
AT late hour last night DAMS was sink
ing rapidly. and the physicians entertain
little nope Of his recovery.