The herald., 1894-05-31
SHOT THROUGH THE BRAIN,
The CHASTITY Deed Of a Thir-
teen-Year.O Old Boy.
Frank Giegrich Killed Ten-Year-
Old Charlie Mason.
The Deed the GAUGE Of - Qssrrel-aie-
grich Claims 1t Was an Acci-
dent, but 1t May Bo
Murder.

A 13.year-old boy occupies q cell in
the city prison for having yesterday
caused the death OF 10-year-old Charlie
Mason, who resided with his parents at
S15 Ramona avenue. 1t is probable that
a charge OF murder will be filed against
the lad today.
The name of the suspected murderer
is Frank Giegrich, whose parents live at
500 Bernard street. In a fit of anger or
by accident ne shot Charlie Mason, kill
ing him instantly.
Early yesterday afternoon a party OF
boys consisting of Charlie Mason and
S-year-old brother, Frank Giegrich, Fred
Grass, Willie Van Tress, at 537 Solano
avenue. and James Oohn OF West Ninth
street, none of whom are over IL years
of age, met on the river about three
miles north of the city. Three OF the
boys had gune, and were hunting.
Several OF the youthful sportsmen
quarreled over a trivial matter almost
Immediately upon meeting the other
members OF the party. The Giegrich
lad quarreled with Charlie Mason and
showed him into the river. The little
fellow got out. and, after drying his
clothing in the sun, again overlook the
others.
The crowd had hardly got to the wal
nut orchard OF Mr.. Chavez, near the
city water works, when young Giegricn
began to quarrel with the Mason boy
again. According to the statements oil
the other boys, Giegrich finally called
Charlie Mason vile name. and said !:
~ have good mind to kill you"
He took 22-caliber rifle from the
Grass lad, and, with threats, deliberate
ly aimed it at Charlie Mason. Without
further warning he fred. the bullet TAX
ing effect in the right eye and lodging
in the brain. Charlie Mason iell and
died almost instantly.
Then, turning to the dead boys broth
or, young Giegrich said, II ought to kill
you" The little fellow, who is only s
years old, ran screaming to the house OF
Mr.. Chavez. near bv. Before he got to
the house Mr.. Chavez heard HIM say,
"He's trying to kill me-" The little
boy was weeping pitiully, saying be-
tween sobs that mis- brother WAS killed
Attorney W. I. Williams and son OF
this city happened to be visiting at the
Chavez ranch, and went to the
ecene of the shooting. They took
the boys in charge and carried the
dead lad to Mr.. Chavez house. Young
Mr.. Williams drove to the city and
notified Coroner Gates and the police.
Detective Benson and Officers Bates and
Romans went out to the scene and
brought Giegrich to the city, locking
him up. He claimed the shooting was
entirely accidental, and seemed to regret
the frigh full occurrence very badly.
The body OF young Mason was re-
moved to the undertaking parlor OF Orr
& Bird, on North Spring street, where
an inquest will be held at O'Clock this
| morning.
Frank Giegrich, the boy who did the
| shooting, made a statement to Jailar
johnson at II O'Clock last night. The
little fellow knocked on the cell door
and attracted the j.ilei's attention, " hen
he stated that he wished to tell how the
lad WAS killed. The boy was suffering
greatly, and was badly frightened all
night. He wanted his father to come
and stay with him. He said:
1--WE were going through the nut
orchard, when thu little boy ran up be-
hind me and hit my elbow. | don't
think he did it purposely, as all Ia boys
were running. | told him would shoot
him and pointed the gun. 1t went off
and killed him, out didn't mean to do
it. The other boys had pointed guns at
me, and L didn't know 1T would shoot,
for | didn't think the trigger WAS
cooked. | never saw the dead boy be
| fore, until he met Billy Van Tress and
myself on the river. diun't even know
his name"