The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-26
G. A. Cove Kills Conrad J. Smith
and Himself.
AN OLD cRuDoe THE CAUSE
Customs Officers Suspended for Illegal
Landing of Coolies at Portland.
A Tfsusaction That Hss Created . Sen
sation-Hsytiaa Republic Brought
the Cargo-A Rigid Investigation to
BE Aads-Coblent.'s Discovery.

PORTLAND, March 25-Conrad J. Smith,
bookkeeper for Levy, Piegle & Co., was
shot and perhaps fatally wounded
about 7:30 tonight at the corner
of Third and Alder streets py
c. A. Cove. real estate dealer.
Cove then blew his own brains out. The
men were standing on q corner indulging
In heated conversation, when suddenly
Cove drew a SS-caliber revolver
from his pocket and began fir
ing. When Smith saw Cove reach
for his weapon he started to run. Goye's
aim. however. was accurate and he hit
Smith in the back, the bali lodging in the
abdomen. After firing two shots at Smith
he turned the weapon to his own head and
fired. He fell and died in q short time.
The street was crowded at the time and
the shooting drew an immense crowd to
the scene. Smith wao taken to the hospi-
tai and Gove's body to the morgue. The
deed was premeditated, as . large knife
was found on the body OF the
dead man. He left q statement &C
cusing Smith of assaulting his wife
several years ago. Mrs. Cove is q we'll
known teacher in the public schools of
this city and about six years ago she was
elected county school superintendent.
The supreme court he'd she was not eliei-
BILE and her husband was appointed to the
position. The shooting created a pro-
found sensation and was the principal
topic of conversation on the streets.
The statement left by Cove is as follows:
SATURDAY, Maich 25, l892-1o whom It NAV con.
Germ: Since am about to attempt a some.
dnav
myself, my life perhaps, pencil
the following for the information Of
those who are interested, or think they are.
Five years ago next August, about the 14th, ].
G. Smith. while was out of the city, began
rooming at my house At the said time said
smith was business partner OF mine
About week after he began
roomink at my house he entered
my wife's bedroom after she had retired, and
attempted to rape her person. He was imme-
diateiy and uncsremoniousiy dismissed from
her room. but fearing business sntangle.
ments. she failed to do entirely
what she should. but allowed him
to remain In the house until my
return, when she at once told me ALL kicked
him out at once. but did not do more. because /
wished to avoid entangling my wife in q way
which might reflect more or less upon her. l,
OF course. knew all concerning the matter and
hereby swear By the Almighty God
that l know (so far - my intellect
allows) that nv 1W4fe~ told me all. since
she informed me at once regarding the matter.
have brooded on the fact of business partner
20 basely acting until am nearly wild. l now
propose to castrats said Smith or kill him to.
night, entirely optional with him. In case
must take his life, will also to avoid further
entanglementa,take my own.
When Smith was taken to the office of
DR.. Young q number of friends who
had heard of the affair followed
him there. 1t was at first thought
that he was fatally wounded.
and . statement was secured from
him before he was placed under the in
fuence OF chloroform preparatory to the
operation Of probing for the bullet. He
said:
Cove for q long time thought I had wronred
him. and We had not been on the best of terms
for three or four yeara Our trouble was in
relation to family affairs. but hs
was wrong in his suspiciona Tho
trouble seemed to prey upon his mind. We
never had personal quarrel This evening he
asked me to go to his Office. at 1924
First street, and talk matters over.
did 80. and remained with him some
time. We then left. and walked mp Washing.
ton street 10 Third. Then We started toward
Alder street, and after going about a block Cove
suddenly drew his pistol and began
firing at me. ran across the
street to Alder. and then up toward Fourth. but
my strength gave out, for had been pierced by
. bullet. aud ! leaned up against . dry goods
box. where I remained until a hack
was secured. and was sent to Dr..
Youngs Office Cove and have been asso.
ciated in business, and have had several little
difficulties. But was never intimate with hfs
wife, nor did ever attem pt to take advantage
OF her. Even believing that may die deny
that ever made any criminal overtures to Mira