The morning call., 1894-05-27
KILLED FOR DEBT.
Clinton Edison Shot by
Charles Becker.
A TRAGEDY IN ALAMEDA.
Owner of the Terrace Baths the
Victim.
FOUR BULLETS ENTER HIS BODY.
Wages Claimed for Three Years
Work and Disputed in Court the
Cause of the Murder.
FOUR BULLETS ENTER HIS BODY.

Clinton a. Edison was shot and killed
by Charles Becker yesterday afternoon in
HOlgren's candy-store on Webster street
Alameda.
Shortly after o'clock in the afternoon
several pistol shots attracted a crowd 10
the scene of the tragedy. Becker stood on
the sidewalk with a smoking pistol in his
hand, and Edson was found lying dead on
the floor of the store.
Becker surrendered his pistol 10 William
Sculy, coOlly saying, II have done it."
He gave himself up without an attempt to
escape to Officer Lawrence, and was taken
to the City Prison.
Mr.. Edison had stepped into Seebeck's
saloon to get a cigar He had no more
than stepped out of the saloon door when
his attention was attracted by Becker in
the rear, and turning partly around be
was shOtin the left breast without a warn
ing Of what was coming Instantly he
began TO run and three more shots fol-
lowed in quick succession, all of the bull
lets lodging in his body. Running into
HOlgTen's candy-store. two doors from
the saloon, lie fell down and died almost
instantly.
The doors of the store were at once
closed to keep out the crowd. and Coroner
Evers was notified. After Coroner Evers
arrived the body was taken to the under
taking paTlOrS of Ross 81 Viewer where
pOSt-mortem examination was held by Dr.
W. O. Smith.
The causes leading up to the tragedy
grew out of business relations extending
over a period of several years.
About twelve years ago the death of Mr..
Haley, fatheT-In-law of Clinton Edison,
by the explosion of a boiler at the Terrace
baths, placed Mr.. Edison in possession of
some property, Of which he became owner
and manager.
During all these years Charles Becker
has been an almost constant and trusted
emplOye of Mr.. Edison at the Terrace
baths.
Within the past few years business at the
baths has been duh aud all Mr.. Edson's
ventures have seemed to turn out disas-
tr0uSly, and IN consequence bills have ac-
cumulated which Edison was unable 10
pay. It seems that Becker's salary was
one of those bills, at least that is the story
told by Mrs. Becker to a CALL reporter.
Mr.. Becker claimed a bill of about $500
against Edison. Mr.. Edison made repeated
promises 10 pay. but each time failed and
Cd the first of this week suit was entered
by Becker against Edison for the amount.
In prosecuting the suit Becker used all the
money be could get together. and losing
what he thought legally belonged to him,
besides the amount used in prosecuting
the suit, he became very respondent.
A week ago last Monday Becker went
~ sec LuoUu dDUub Ills uUUegy ana IN the
alteration which ensued Edison knocked
Becker down. and a charge was entered
- alnst Edison for assault, but was after
ward dismissed.
Finding no legal means for the redress
Of his grievances Becker became desperate
and determined to settle the account 10 his
own way.
This is Becker's side of the story as told
by Mrs. Becker. She said: Mr.. Becker
left home about u o'clock. He said he
did not care for anything but luncheon
until midnight, and went out to the
market and purchased some meat for din
ner.
81 know that he never had revolver at
the house." she added. land he must have
got it somewhere else"
Mrs. Becker shared the feelings toward
Edison of her husband, and, though ex-
pressing regret At the result. thought Ed
son had only received his just deserts.
Inquiries into the legal case made to
the attorneys engaged revealed the fact that
Becker could not substantiate his claim to
any amount against Edison. Becker states
that the reason Tor this was that he him
self had kept no account. leaving it to Ed
sons honesty, and that Edison introduced
false entries into the account. thus causing
1t 10 balance.
Whatever the true facts are in their