The morning call., 1893-12-13
CONTRACTOR SHOT
Owen MCHugh Wounded
by a Workman.
NOT NECESSARILY FATAL.
Had Threatened to Kill Him on
Sight.
PLAYED THE RACES ON TIPS.
Unsuccessful in Again Getting Work
He Takes Revenge On His For
ner Employer.
PLAYED THE RACES ON TIPS.

Owen McHugh of Kenny & McHGgh.
street contractors, was shot in the right
breast yesterday afternoon about 3 O'clock
by James Mcbride. former employe.
The affair occurred OF ID street, near
Twelfth avenue, where the contractors are
engaged in grading that street for the eX-
tension of the street railroad.
From the stories of those conversaut
with the causes leading up to the shoot
ing it appears that Mcbride was dis
charged by the contractors some two
months ago. since which time he has been
playing the races. He made several ap-
phi cations to be reinsiated. but was each
time refused. On several occasions he
approached both Mc6ugh and Kenny,
asking for loans of money. which he did
not get.
On Friday afternoon Byron DigGins. a
contractor in the same line of business,
drove cut to ID street and informed Me-
Hugh that Mcbride was making talk
about him and threatening 10 kill him on
sight.
''McHugh laughed at these threats"
said Mr.. Diggins last night. He sa id he
guessed he would carry a blackthorn aud
give Mcbride taste of it if he came near
him. An emplOye of mine, Martin
Schaumleffle, told me he had met Nc
Bride downtown, and that Mcbride threat
ened to shoot McHugh on sight. 1t was
then told him of the impending trouble
Il think the whole affair grew out of a
Joke. All the graders used 10 tease Nc
Bride about looking too much at the
ladies, saying that McHugh said 50. He
was moved 10 another portion of the street,
but did not like the change and then he
was discharged"
The only eyewitness to the shooting
was Edmund Kenny, partner of McHugh.
1--WE had just been talking, near the dumr.
TO j. y. HALEY of The Southern Pacific Com
pany." Mr.. Kenny SAID last night, "when,
as he was leaving l saw Mcbride ap-
preaching in company with q short thick
set man. l told McHugh that Mcbride
was coming, and we turned 10 go away in
order to avoid meeting him. Mcbride fol-
lowed up and addressed McHugh. The
latter told him he did not want to talk
with him, ordered him off the grounds and
gave Mcbride push
"McHugh had half turned around to get
away from Mcbride when the latter put
his hand in the In side pocket of his over
coat. pulled pistol and fired two Shots
McHugh was struck in the right side, and
fell In my arms"
After firing the shots, only one of which
took effect. Mcbride started off in north
easterly direction across the sandhills
HIS companion, as soon as he saw there
was going 10 be trouble, went off in the
direction of the Midwinter Fair grounds
and escaped.
Mcbride was followed at respectful
distance by j. Kenny, foreman of the
workmen, and Walter Morris, one of the
employees. He threw away his pistol and
covered 1t with sand. BE afIerward ac-
cOmpanied Officer Thompson back and the
weapon was found.
Kenny placed McHugh in his buggy,
and at once drove to his home at 1898
McAllister street. where he was attended
by Drs. Mclean and Logan. An exami-
nation was Immediately made of the
wound. The bullet entered on the right
side, between the sixth and seventh ribs,
and was taken cut about four inches from
the sternum, or breast bone, where it Law
imbedded in the heavy cartilages. The
wound is not necessarily dangerous one.
according TO the statement of DIR. Logan.
one OF the attending physicians. unless
blood poisoning sets in.
Mcbride was arrested by Park Officer
Thompson and was held till the arrival of
the patrol wagon. when he was taken to
the City Prison.
Speaking of the shooting, he said: 81
went to street this afternoon to get
work. | had been working off and on for
Kenny IL McHugh for the past seven years
and was employed by them about two
months ago.
Nv hen l got to where the men were
working was going toward Mr.. kenny TO
ask him for work, when McHugh. who
was near him. came forward IN a threat
ening manner, and said: L hear you have
been going about saying things about me p
L said: You shouldn't beleve all ven
hear and without saying anything else he
struck me IN the lace, nearly knocking me
over and stunning me. Then as | backed
away he followed me and kicked nue. on the
legs:
am was afraid he would injure me and
pulled out my pistol and fired a shot at
him. | didn't see him fall before walked
away"
Had you any trouble with McHugh
before?"
No." he replied in a hesitatiug way.
II shot him 10 self-defense."
Mcbride had big red lump on his
right cheek-bone where he said he had
been hit by McHugh. He will not be
charged till it is seen whether the wound
proves fatal or not.
Edmund Kenny was asked particularly
about any trouble at ID street Yesterday
afternoon and denied that McHugh struck
Mcbride. He wouldn't harm kitten" "
said Mr.. Kenny, "and particularly tried
to avoid Mcbride as he had been warned
against him." Mr.. Dggins also said from
his knowledge of McHugh that the latter
would be the last one in the world to
commence difficulty.
That Mcbride has been looking for Me-
Hugh for some time Is evidenced by the
fact thai he called at his home during the
week.
Last Sunday night" said Peter Nc
Hugh. brother of the wounded contract
or, Mcbride went 10 my brothers house.
on the northeast corner of McAllister and
Baker streets, and raped at all the doors
aud windows. supposing that by doing so
my brother would come out. In view of
what occurred to-day and the threats he
had made believe it was his intention to
shoot my brother then.
Some time ago. so l was informed, Nc
Bride got "a tip on the races at the Bay
District, and by that he lost 800. Then he
wanted to borrow $50 from my brother so
he could win back his money, and more.
too. but he did not get the money! 1t is
my opinion that that refusal is what an
gered him, and that then he threatened to
get revenge.