Los Angeles herald., 1892-11-01
An Exciting Encounter on
Spring Street Yesterday.
A Bowie Knife and Revolver Used
With Effect.
The Result of Family Feud- Very
Little Light Thrown on the At
fair--The Story as Told By
Bystanders.

Rowan's real-estate Office. The weapon
used was bowie knife, the blade being
about eight inches in length. The wound
inflicted was on the left side of the neck,
eevering the jugular vein. The blade Of
the knife was driven in up to the hilt,
extending downward to theheart. There
was another stab. perhaps also fatal, in
the left side. Both wounds were about
an inch in width. Blood oozed from the
ugly cuts and from the mouth OF the
dead man.
Acrowd Immediately assembled. Lugo
died almost instantly, and TOUR OF the
bystanders took the body to the morgue.
Figueroa was shot by his antagonist
in the left side, just below the collar
bone, the ball ranging around to the
back of the right shoulder. The weapon
used was a 80 calibre Smith d Weeson
revolver. The bloody bowie knife was
taken from the hands of Figueroa and
he was removed to the police station
by Officer Craig.
The pistol showed that two shots had
been fred. Both weapons are in the
possession of the property clerk at the
central police station.
Figueroa is in the receiving hospital
at the central police station and VIII
probably recover.
1t is believed that when the enemies
met that Figueroa had his knife in his
hand, and seeing the knife Lugo shot
him and was then stabbed to death.
Both are well.known citizens of
Ballopa. and are native Californians.
They are related by marriage. Lugo
was roadmaster at Ballona, where he
also kept saloon. A few years ago
Figueroa kept saloon at the same
place, Just opposite, and there existed
some rivalry between them, but, it is
understood that the real cause of the
quarrel, which led to the double tragedy,
was over family matters. 1t seems that
several years ago Figueroa was ap-
pointed administrator of an estate
valued at about 100000, which be-
longed jointly to the Lugo and Figueroa
heirs. 1t is claimed that this property,
situated at Ballona, was badly man
aged, so that the Lugo heirs failed to re-
ceive their share. Consequently there
has not been very friendly feeling be-
tween Lugo and Figueroa for the past
few years.
A large number of native Californians
visited the morgue soon after the kill
ing to view the remains of Lugo, and
groups stood in the vicinity for several
hours discussing the affair and it's
probable cause. From several sources
came the same information, that the
bloody tragedy was caused over family
troubles, as above stated.
Lugo and Figueroa came to town early
Yesterday morning, but in separate con-
veyances. They were seen together,
and we're apparently friendly. 1T is also
stated, upon what is considered to be
reliable authority, that they played
cards for several hours at cigar stand
on South Spring street, and that it is
reasonably believed Lugo lost money to
Figueroa, and that when the game
ended Lugo went out to search for
some friends to get the money
to paw to Figueroa. This may
have revived their bad feeling,
which had existed for years, over the
alleged mismanagement of the family
estate by Figueroa. Up to late hour
no one could be found who had wit
messed the tragedy; yet it is believed
that the deed was witnessed by one, if
not more.
In an interview with Mr.. Schraeder,
proprietor of the Reception room, near
where the tragedy occurred, he stated to
a HERALD reporter:
'"About 3 O'Clock in the afternoon
Lugo and Figueroa, accompanied by
Deputy Sheriff Carlos Cruz, came into
my place of business; they took seats
in one of the small rooms. In short
while, when the barkeeper returned
from the room, he was very much ex-
cited and had bowie-knife in his hand +,
l asked him where he got it, and he
said he had grabbed it from the table in
the room where the three men sat talk
ing and drinking; l then went into the
room, and as l entered 1 saw large
five shooter on the table; took the
pistol and asked whose it was; Cruz
said that it was his, and asked me to
take care of it for him. l gave it to the
barkeeper, told him to lock it up and
not to give it to any one. l then told
the party that would not permit any
trouble in my house, and as they left
Lugo and Figueroa insisted that should
go with them. The party OF four went
to the Phillip saloon, on Market near
Spring street.
"While there they spoke in Spanish,
Cruz was andeavoring to reconcile the
men, and finally l said to them, be
friends Figueroa extended his hand
in friendship, but Lugo said, NO, l
don't want to be your friend
II then left the three men in the ga
loon and went to my dinner. About 5
O'Clock Cruz came into the saloon and
asked for his pistol, but the bar-keeper
told him that had locked it up and
was away-just as had instructed him
to do, Shortly afterwards, or just few
minutes before the difficulty, Figueroa
came in, and said to me that he wanted
to apologize for his action in the saloon,
stating that he was angry, and had slap
ped Lugo because Lugo had called him
a bad name. Figueroa was sober al the
time; Figueroa then asked for his knife.
I gave it to him, and he put it in the
left breaet OF his coat; it was O large
bowie, the blade being about eight
inches in length.
"He said good night and went out ;
he was alone. In about three minutes
l heard pistol shot; as 1 reached the
front door 1 saw Lugo reel and fall to
the pavement; as l stopped down the
man was gasping in the agonies OF death
a man came up and said, pointing to the
diving man: This man shot Figueroa
before Figueroa had stabbed him. /
asked him if he saw it, and he replied that
he did; that he was just behind Lugo
at the time; do not know the man, and
would not know him now if were to see
him." ;,
Another account is to the effect that
Lugo drew his revolver and fired, and
avidantlv reorattad having done 40