The morning call., 1893-04-29

and then said that when NOrthey reached
the back door of his saloon, where lie was
10 meet Thorn for the purpose of fighting in
the alley. Northey put his hand in his hip
pocket and said. You - I'll do
yOu." and then Thorn shot.
This statement is an absolute contradic-
ton of Coefeld's statement, who saw
Northey from the moment he entered the
that at no time did Northey make any
movement TO draw n revolver. in fact, that
he stood at the time he was shot with his
hands up like pr ze-fghter."
Thorn absolutely refused to talk. both
before and after consultation with his
attorney. Late in the evening his wife,
who keeps Il millinery-store on Grant ave-
nue., and who is said to have furnished
Thorn the most of his money, called at the
prison 10 see him. She was greatly af-
fected and seemed from her bysterical talk
to her husband to have been anticipating
trouble for some time
Frank 7. Northey is too well-known a
character in the political and criminal
history Of San Francisco to need more than
a mention of his name to recall to most
newspaper readers his misdeeds. For the
past three months the man is said 10 have
been on a perpetual drunk, and is said 20
have been on the verge Of delirium tremens
when shot. Dick Creighton, his partner in
the jury-bribng business, for which
both he and Nurthey were sent to State
prison, was one of the earliestvi visitors to the
prison to see Thorn, and Creighton volun-
teered the statement that NOrthey was
crazy and had been for three months, but
inasmuch as it is known that the old part
nership between Creighton and Northey has
been dissolved. not without feeling on both
sides, CreightOn's pionship of Thorn
at this time is not surprising.
Frank I. Nurthev, the wounded man,
was indicted in 1886 for the crime of en-
bracery, for having, in conjunction with
Dick (fraip htOn 6yAd n iurV n iDterasr
OF the Sutter-street Railroad Company,
which had been sued by a widow named
Wright for damages for the loss of her
husband, who met his death by falling into
a coal hole careessly left open by the EN-
plOyes Of the company.
The case at the time attracted a great
deal Of attention, and after a long delay
N0rthey was, on the I'd of November, 1887,
found guilty as charged, and twenty-One
days later sent TO the penitentiary at San
Quentin for nine years. In January, four
years later. the convict was released from
prison, having been pardoned by Governor
Waterman.
Prior TO his advent before the public in
the character Of Jury-hXer TO rob widow
Of any rights she might have, Northcy was
prominent as one of many Small-fry polili.
clans who manipulated conventions in the
interest of any boss who would offer the
best cash terms.
Since his release from prison Northey has
ueNOltQ HlWS6ll 10 politics anu BduDllD8
and seemingly has failed in both ventures.
His failures drove him to drink, and only
Wedne sdaY last he drew pistol on Deputy
Sheriff James Hanrahan, who was sent TO
NOrthey's house TO remove some carpets
which he had not paid for.
Thorn is known as gambler only. He
has been connected with several skin"
games, notably the Clock Stock Exchange
under the General Reyes Hotel. which he
left under cloud. He operated on the race
track under his brothers name, Owen
Thorn, and left him. as we'll as NOTthey and
others, deeply in debt by playing races on
credit and failing TO make good his losses.
Late last night another attempt was made
to secure an interview with Thorn, but he
closed his mouth when he entered the City
Prison and to every question asked him by
the reporters replied: go enud see Mr..
KNIGHT, my lawyer. He has told me TO say
nothing"
He said, however. that there had been no
qnarrel between him and Nortney.
His story, as ne told 1t to the lawyer and
as be Will probably tell it in court. is sub
stanlially as follows:
He met Northey in Garcia's saloon and
advised him TO stop drinking.
WHISKY is killing you" he said; leave
1t alone"
Northey called him vile name and they
Quarreled. Thorn left the saloon and ran
around to the little alley in the rear, where
the quarrel was renewed and where Thorn
alleges NOrthey drew a pistol. He then
took his revolver and shot his old COM
panlon through the abdomen.
ThOrn's story is eontroverted by the eye
witnesses, both 10 the quarrel and the
shooting.
When NOrthey was hurriedly taken to
the Receiving Hospital he was suffering
intense pain from the wound, which was in
the left of the navel.
Northey WAS placed on tile operating
bic, where Drs. Berry and Coffman exam
ined his injury. He was very weak from
the effects of the wound and grOaned with
pain as he wrlthed about the table, and il
was frequently necessary for the attaches
to hold him while the wound was being
probed.
Pending the arrival OF DR.. w. II. Mays oil
the Board of Health and Police Surgeon
.SOmers, who had been summoned, NOrthey
reluctantly made an almost incoherent
statement Of the shooting.
lie cOntTadicted himself in lesser details
several times, bat steadily adhered to the
statements that he had been shot by Harry
Thorn and that young Frank Garcia at
whose saloon on Montgomery street the
shooting occurred. had furnished Thorn
the weapon with which the deed had been
committed.
Pm Roner; he's done for me this time"
grGanod the wounded man, and resoutelY
refused TO give any further information until
he was informed that the Injury II light ter
inmate fatally.
well, Harry Thorn shot me in the rear
OF Garcla's saloon Cd account of a gTudgP,
and Frank Garcia gave him the gun TO do
it." he said.
HE owed me money and | told him to
dig 1t up. We had been together all day. l
started 10 60 into the saloon and he stood in
the doorway and shot me in the abdomen.
We were friends, but we fell out Thorn
SAID l was too cute for him, and we fell
out"
Northey was placed under the influence
OF an aneslhetic and DR.. W. II. Mays,
assisted by Police Surgeon Somers and Dr.
COffman, performed the delicate operation
OF laparotomy as last resort to save his
life
The physicians found that the wound
was probably fatal one. The bullet en-
tered the lower abdomen several Inches TO
the left Of the navel, penetrating the abdo-
minal cavity. 1t then ranged backward,
severns seven Of the intestines in its
course, and finally lodged near the back.
Owing TO Northey's weak condition and the
attending danger the physicians made no
attempt to extract the bullet from its odg-
ing place.
The news of the shooting spread rapidly
and Northey's friends aud relatives soon
made their appearance at the hospital 10
inquire after his condition.
Inc attaches witnessed a pathetic scene
when his aged mother and his pretty Young
VIE, 10 whom he has been married little
over a year. made their appearance. It
was with difficulty that the latter could be
restrained from rushing into the operating
room to her dying husbands side, and she
cried piteously when she learned Of his in
juries.
Among the visitors was Jim" Nell.
Northey's partner in the boOkmaklng bust
ness up to few days ago. who was the only
one who could throw any light upon the
cause Of the shooting.
According to Neil's statement Northey
had been In the bookmaking business with
a nan named Connors, but lost $500 In the
veAture. With the remnants OF his funds
amounting TO about $1,000. he offered to 20
into partnership with Neil. and the latter
consented, furnishing the balance of the
necessary funds.
W. to last Tuesday the firm prospered
We were S16SO ahead of the races" said
Neil, lat that time. We took in $685. on
Tuesday and had to pay out SSO1. Northey
had all the money In his charge and guess
started out on time or gambled 1t away
WhIla he Wns DRINK I Ia NJ IIan,a III.