The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-27
R. F. SIMPSON, A CONTRACTORS.
FATALLY WOUNDS WILLIAM
BYNON.
THE TROUBLE OVER LEASE
A DOCTOR WHO Wants LARGE PAY.
MENT FOR His SERvIcEs-L. M.
BEAUDRY DEAD.


probably fatally wounded William Bvnon
at the Red House, a resort on the San
PABLO road, Monday afternoon. The ARRAY
was not reported here until yesterday
morning.
Simpson leases the Red House, with
ABOUT seyenty-tive acres adjoining, from
Mrs. Iewksbury of San Francisco and for
year past has sublet the resort to Bynon.
The lease expired on the 10Th inst. and
Simpson and his tenant had a quarrel
about the terms on which it should be re-
newed, resulting in bad blood on both
sides.
During the past week Simpson has been
sowing the ground about the place with
grain, employing several men to assist
him. The cooking for the crew was done
IN lean-to of the resort on a stove be-
longing to Bynon. The latter recently
ordered Simpson TO cease his culinary
operations there and go some place else to
prepare his meals. Simpsons reply was
10 throw out Bynon's stove and install one
OF his own, thus further angering his
tenant.
The trouble eliminated on Monday
W hen Byron ordered Simpson away from
the house, emphasizing his commands by
tiourishing billet of wood, and threaten
ing to brain Simpson if he entered the
house. He was backed by his wife, and
both attacked the contractor when he per-
sisted in entering.
In self-defense the latter drew a knife
and slashed at his assailants as they ham
mered him, but was rapidly getting the
worst OF the encounter when he pulled a
pistol and fired point blank at Byron.
The wounded man gave a scream of pain
and rushed into the house, where it was
found that he had been shot through the
abdomen and was seriously injured
DR.. Camp of San Pablo was hastily sum-
moned, and after q close examination
found the bullet beneath the muscles of
the back, where 1t had lodged after pass
Ing through Bynon'S body.
He gave it as his opinion that the wound
was fatal, though there is a chance that no
lntestines were cut by the bullet and that
the Wounded man may survive.
When Simpson heard the extent of
bynon $ injuries he threw his pistol away
ana walked 10 San Pablo to give himself
up, but was met on the road by Constable
John a. Boquet, who had started for the
scene OF the shooting. He was taken to
Martinez and locked up to await the result
OF Bynon's wound. Later he was released
on $4,000 bonds on charge of assault TO
murder, Thomas Moran of Oakland being
one OF his bondsmen. He refuses to make
statement OF the trouble which led to the
shooting, saying only that he acted in self
defense and did not fire at his assailant
until he believed his life was in danger. He
Is still suffering from the wounds received
IN the encounter.
Simpson is well known in Oakland hav-
ing YOrked as a carpenter and contractor
Tor nASny years. He was at one time a
partner OF ex-Sheriff McKilIican in the
building business. During the past three
or four years he has been engaged in rails
ing stock on the Red House property and
on a farm which he owns on Wildcat
Creek. he IS well-to-do and enjoys the
reputation Of being an honest, fair man,
though somewhat quick tempered.
BynOn was at one time saloon-keeper
IN Oakland, having an establishment on
. Tenth street, which he conducted for two
years. At other times he worked as a bar
keeper at various saloons. he is said to
be man of violent temper and likely to
pick a quarrel without great provocation.
he Is about 90 years of age. MANY offers
OF assistance from Oakland friends have
been made to Simpson, but he seems conf
cent OF being cleared, even though Byron
dies.
His Services Come High.
The expected legal battle between the
executors of the estate of Norris Goldberg
and DR.. Dudley TAFT of San Francisco did
not take place yesterday as per schedule,
th0 ugh score OF physicians were on hand
called as experts TO testify to the value of
services rendered in TEN porarily prolong-
ing the life of an old and wealthy man
Goldberg lived alone in his house at
Highland Park and some months ago was
taken i'll with a disease of the stomach
which precluded the retention of food, and
he was threatened with death by slow
starvation until DR.. TAFT was called in and
performed an operation which enabled him
10 pump food into the stomach. By this
means he was able to keep Greenberg alive
for 80 days. On the death of his patient
l. -~r.rz+s J., Ofa- I
for the period during which he was in at
tendance.
The executors held that the bill ives ex-
orbItant. They will produce testimony to
that effect, while the doctors witnesses
will testify that the services were well
worth the price charged.
Death in the Cellar.
John H. Behrens, who has been en-
ployed as a bartender at Henry Priggi's
saloon, on East street, San Francisco, for
some time, committed suicide on Sunday
or Monday at his residence, 1866 Center
street. He left his home on Sunday as
usual to go to work, and when he did not
return on Sunday night his wife supposed
he had gone on one of his periodical sprees
and would turn up all right in the course
OF time. Yesterday morning che had oc-
casion to go into the cellar of the house and
was Mortified to find her husbands dead
body stretched out on the floor.
A paper labeled strychnine, which was
found IN one OF his pockets, explained the
means he had taken to end his life. His
wife can give no reason for his desire for
death except that he may have become de-
spondent over imaginary troubles, con-
jured up by drink.
Behrens was a German, "a years of age,
and leaves wife and child.
L. M. Beaudry Is Dead.
Death came to L. NJ. Beaudry, a pioneer
merchant of Oakland. yesterday morning.
He had been suffering from the grip for
several days past, and while his family had
hoped for his ultimate recovery the dis |
ease had made such rapid strides during
the past few days that the end was not |
entirely unexpected.
The deceased came to California in 1853. |
engaging in mining in Placer County for
one year. after which he came to this city |
and engaged in the livery business. With |
the exception of two short periods when
he was employed in farming at Golden
Gate he was in business in Oakland ever
since. Mr.. Beaudry was quite wealthy |
his fortune being estimated AT from 5000 000 |