The morning call., 1894-11-12
SHOT AT THE TWO
Frank r. Armstrong Was
Jealous.
Early Morning Pistol Practice on
kearny Street, With Some Very
Thrilling Incidents.

Frank R. Armstrong. filled with murder
Gus designs, took shots at TWO persons at
an early hour yesterday morning, but only
succeeded in severely wounding himself.
His intended victims were Miss May
Howard. with whom he had been living.
and Manuel Silva, bartender at the Golden
Gate saloon, go Kearny street.
Armstrong is a whaler and returned
Monday night on the Andrew Hicks after
an eight months cruise. His part of the
lay was $500. and as soon as he received it
Armstrong resolved to have a pleasant
time ashore. He Immediately hunted up
Miss May Howard, young lady with
whom he had former acquaintance, and
they agreed to enjoy the money together
There were high old times for day OF
two, until Armstrong became seized with
jealousy and abruptly declared the bargain
off. In some way or another he became
convinced that an unknown rival had
captured the affections OF the young
woman, and after an unpleasant quarrel
he said he would have no more to do
with her.
This occurred about Thursday evening.
and from that time up till yesterday
morning about 5 80 o'clock Armstrong has
been using his best endeavors to drown
his SORROWS in the flowing bowl.
Kearny street about o'clock yesterday
morning when he met Annie Nolan, a
chum of Miss Howard's who insisted that
the quarrel was all the result of misun-
derstanding and it would be better for all
concerned if they patched up peace. She
finally prevailed upon Armstrong to ac-
COMPANY her to Miss Towards room,
which is over the Golden Gate saloon, $40
Kearny street.
Miss Howard was In bed when the two
entered her room, but got quickly up TO
greet them. Miss Nolan and Armstrong
took seats on the lounge and Miss Howard
proceeded to make her toilet The two
girls were chatting away pleasantly
enough, but Armstrong was moody and
returned a word only here and there.
There was not an indication of danger,
however. and only one of the three knew
of the tragedy contemplated.
Suddenly it came. While the face of
Miss Howard was buried in the towel an d
Miss Nolan's gaze was momentarily
averted, Armstrong whipped revolver
from his pocket and poin ted it at his in
tended victim. At that instant Miss
Nolan turned, shrieked wildly Look out,
MAY! J" and threw up her hands in fright.
Her left hand struck the pistol in tie hand
of Armstrong. the next instant 1t fell to
the floor with a sharp report and both
women ran shrieking in terror from the
room. They rushed wildly to the stairs
and down to the street.
On the sidewalk they met Manuel Silva,
the bartender, who had heard the shot and
ran out TO ascertain what 1t was. They
hurriedly told him what Armstrong had
done. and as they went into the saloon for
safety Silva started upstairs, confident
that his acquaintance with Armstrong
would make it easy to dIsarm him and
prevent further trouble.
Silva jumped into the room aud just got
glimpse of Armstrong standing in the
middle of the apartment with the revolver
raised to a level with the intruder's head.
1t was a critical moment with only one
thing to do, and Silva did 1t. He made
spring at the sailor, grabbed the hand
that held the pistol and bure il downward,
just as Armstrong pulled the trigger.
The struggle began In earnest then, the
men being pretty well matched physically.
They pulled and hauled for about ten
seconds and again the pistol was dis
F, charged, Armstrong this time sinking with
| a groan to the floor. The revolver fell
| from his grasp and Silva Immediately took
possession of it.
Several persons had assembled the stairs
| by this time. and the PROSTATE form OF
| Armstrong was borne to the lounge, where
| it was found that he had received two
| ugly gunsbOt wounds in the thighs, the
| result of the shots from the revolver he
| had intended for Silva.
| A few minutes afterward Officer Barry
was Cdllcu anu At1uStTOnR was DidccU IN
the patrol wagon and conveyed TO the Re-
| ceiving Hospital, where bis wounds were
dressed. Some time later the woman, May
Howard, was taken to the City Prison,
where she is now being held, her name,
however, not appearing on the register.
| Armstrong confessed in the Receiving
Hospital that he had shot al the girl, and
said he had cause to. He bad intended to
marry her, and she had been receiving
the attentions of disreputable characters.
When he RECEIVERS from his wounds he will
be charged with assault to murder.