The morning call., 1894-03-28
WILLFUL MURDER.
Fredericks Charged by a
Coroner's Jury.
Story of the Great Crime Rehearsed.
xlEvidence 4 That the Accused Fired:
the First Shot.

There were comparatively few people pres
ent in the Coroner's Office yesterday morning
when jury was sworn 10 make an inquest on
the death of Cashier William A. Herrlck, who
was killed by w. L. Fredericks. The murderer
was not present. and the inquest was held In
one of the vacant rooms of the old hail.
Harry G. Smith Of Oakland. fl rrick's first
cousin, testified that the murdered mar was 80
years OLD.
Charles b. Melvin, the bookkeeper OF the
Market. street branch OF the Savings Union
WHO was present VIII ell Herrick was shot, Iesti.
he'd that Fredericks entered the bank about
$3.50 O'Clock. HE approached my window
melvin SAID, "and told him TO go to the next
window, l did many times every day 10
people who came to my window first Hewas
smoking cigarette and looked like a respect
able man.
''He went to Mr.. HerTick's window, placed a
paper on tile counter and stepped back while
Mr.. Herrick read II. BY stepping back the man
got out OF my sight. The paper given by him
was The note signed "A Despoudent Man."
The note, which has already been published,
was read 10 tie jury, and the witness con-
tinued: MIR. Herrlck read he note, shook his
head and handed II back TO the man. Then he
turned toward Inc, and, apparently changing
his mind, turned toward The place where his
pistol lay. He grasped the weapon. turned
again and stepped back two PAGES. As he did
so the man exclaimed, Stand back . and (
heard the click OF a pistol. AT the same time L
saw the barrel OF revolver which the man
Il
my pistol and Mr.. Herrck backed away from
the window, STOPPING rs he did so.
Ut was the strangers pistol that clicked, but
he now fired and he bullet lodged In the
counter. he Tired again and struck Herriek in
the breast. Then Herrlck fired ana grasped
my arm convulsively with his left hand 1
swung around and fired through the glass ar
the stranger as he sprang toward the door.
81 grasped Herrick as he was falling let him
down gently, and Sprang after Fredericks who
was running across the street. l fired at him
and yelled Stop that man and then rushed
back tn help Herrick and secure the money
lying exposed. Herrck did not speak once,
but moaned slightly until he died"
Melvin remembered that on the dav OF his
death Herrick had told him OF Confederate
note shown him by stranger, who asked If tI
was good. Fredericks IN his confession stated
that he had made such an inquiry of the man
he afteTwafd shot.
MRS. j. A. Irwin testified that she heard the
shots In the bank and saw Fredericks running
away. DIR. L. X. Emerson testified that he had
made an autopsy of Herrick's body and de
scribed the course of The bullet. The bail was
produced and shown to the jury. L was of the
same callber as the bullets found in Frederick >
pistol.
The policemen and others who pursued the
murderer or witnessed his flight gave theis
testimony, and the jury, after alfew moments
deliberation. returned ihe following verdict:
"We find that William A. HeTuck came to his
death from gunshot wound OF the heart and
lungs, and we further ind that said gunsbo,
wound was inflicted with malice aforefhoughl
and deliberate Intent by one w. A Frederieks
and we charge said w. A. Fredericks with will.
fui murder"
Fredericks was in a cheerful frame of mind
yesterday. III is not known whether he will lose
the sight OF The eye in which a splinter OF glass
Is lodged. Chief Crowley would not permit h i'm
10 attend the inquest on account OF his desper
aye cnaTacter and the strong feeling against him
HIS preliminary examination Will be held II
Judge JOacnlrQSeO's court fO-daV-