The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-27
THEIR STORY rs DENIED.
The Victims Companions Say
the Crime Was Entirely
UnproVoked.
SHOT THROUGH THE BACK.
A Quarrel Over a Game Of Croquet
Said to Have Caused the
Killing.

SAN BERNARDINO. CAL, june o.
Heating, District Attorney Daley and
Deputy Sheriff Arbios, who went to Hes
peria yesterday to investigate the murder
of William Neal by j. E. Douglass, held
an inquest this morning and returned on
the overland train this afternoon. Neal
owned ranch near Hesperia, was a mar
ried man and about 30 years old, and was
well liked by those who knew him. He
worked many years on the wood ranch of
s. f. Kelly, manager in this city of the
Newport Lumber Company.
Last week Kelly, who was with Neal
when he was shot, loaned Neal 5000 to
make payment on his place. asking no
security, so great was his confidence in
him. J. L. Douglass came from Hes
peria recently and seemed peaceful man.
Though of fine education, he worked at
odd Jobs.
The quarrel started on Sunday over q
game of croquet by Meals children and
others, who got to fighting, and Douglass
separated them. This caused hard feel
ings on the part of Neal, who seemed to
think his children were abused by Doug
lass. On Monday Neal made threats
against Douglass. On Tuesday Douglass
and H. D. Welsh, his employer, started
for Saqumaine, a French town, twelve miles
distant for wood. They got part way
there when they came across two French
men and an Italian with Neal. The latter
said they had bought the wood Welsh was
after, although it had been promised to
Welsh first They stopped to rest, Neal,
the two Frenchmen and Welsh sitting on
blanket spread on the ground in the
clol 10 Il
OF the Frenchmen. Neal placed his hand
GU Welsh's shoulder and commenced talk
ing about the trouble Sunday, but Welsh
said, "Never mind that; we are all good
friends" YES" said Neal, ''you and [
are good friends, but l will kill that man"
pointing to Douglass.
AT this Neal drew revolver, and laying
the barrel across his left arm, fired back al
Douglass behind them. Welsh grasped
his arm and the shot went into the ground.
Douglass then drew his revolver and fired.
and as Neal fell forward sent two bullets
through his back, one piercing the heart
Welshs team was frightened by the shots
and started to run away. Welsh grabbed
| the lines and was dragged one hundred
| yards before stopping the horses. While
after the team he heard the third shot but
did not see it fired.
This is Welsh's testimony, but the old
Frenchman says Neal did not shoot at
Douglass, but in sport fired two shots into
the ground by his side, when Douglass ran
to the wagon and got his revolver, placed
the muzzle against the back OF Meals head
and shot him. As Neal fell Douglass
turned to shoot the Italian, but at the first
shot the latter had run away out of sight
The Frenchman says he told Douglass it
was a cowardly trick to shoot Neal that
way. Douglass said: You and | won't
quarrel, but I'll kill that dago and III
make sure of this fellow first" He walked
up to Neal and, placing his revolver at the
base OF the PROSTATE mans brain, again
pulled the trigger. Welsh and Douglass
got into their wagon and drove to Welsh's
house in Hesperia, where Douglass got
supper. Welsh paid 81 he owed him, gave
him some biscuits and about midnight
Douglass left. 1t is supposed he is hiding
in the mountains. Welsh left word that
Douglass would give himself up as soon as
the talk of lynching is over. Welsh has
been placed under surveillance, remaining
home, as Douglass may call to see him.
Every avenue OF escape is guarded.