The herald., 1895-08-04
FIVE MURDEROUS SHOTS
Three Men Were Injured
But No One Killed
4 BATTLE At THE FORT SALOON
Origin Alleged to Be in Demand
ing Payment of a Debt
ALL HAD BEEN DRINKING
Everybody Was Searched but No
Weapons We're Found
Two Of the Injured Men Make Statements
as to the Origin
eiunc Claims That lilies Struck Him First
While Miles Lays the Blame Upon
the Former All Will
Recover
Everybody Was Searched but No
Weapons We're Found
Two Of the Injured Men Make Statements
as to the Origin

An ugly shooting affair occurred yester-
day evening at tho Fort saloon, la San
Fernando street. in which two men were
wounded by pisto. shots and another
baldy clubbed on the head.
Special Officer J. K. Conlee was on his
beat near the San Fernando depot, about
7:30 when he heard five pistol shots fired
in quick Succession. He rushed to the
Fort saloon from whence the eports came,
and found man by the name of George
Miles standing outside of the door with
blood flowing freely from a wound in his
head. The officer nabbed Miles and
searched him for a weapon. Miles said
he was not armed and that he had taken
no part in the fight. He said that he was
jumped upon by W. H.. Clune, who
clubbed him with the butt of his gun.
Conles next turned his attention to J.
H. Bridges, who was lying on the side
walk bleeding from gunshot wound.
Bridges was also searched by the officer
but no weapon was found upon his per-
son. Meanwhile the other two men i'm
plcated in the row were sean running
away up the street. The patrol wagon
soon arrived and Bridges and Miles were
taken to the receiving hospital.
Officer Ritch started in pursuit of Cl une
and found him at the residence of his
mother in-law on Buena Vista street. 1t
is said that he was met on the way and
helped home by his two sisters-in-law.
No weapon was found on Clune. but he
was bleeding from two Dody wounds, the
bullet entering on the hight side and
passing ont on the left infiicting not
dangerous wound, the other entering the
abdomen near the pit of the stomach and
coming out at one side OF the stomach
1t is considered that neither wound is
serious.
Bridges was found to have one bullet
hole IN him, the shot having entered at
the left side OF the neck and ranging
downward probably into the left arm.
No serious results a:e expected from his
injury. r...
wounds inflicted by the sharp edge OF a
pistol butt.
From what could be learned from by.
ISLANDERS who witnessed the affair. it
started in this manner Miles came into
the saloon and seeing Clune there APP
preached him, and ASKED for the pay
ment of a bill OF $1,000 which he claimed
was due him. Cune denied that he owed
the bill sharp words followed aud Clune
attacked Miles with his pisto'. using it
as club. Clune knocked Miles down,
whereupon Frank Boydston. who il ap-
Clune, jumped upon Miles and held him.
Clune then rushed at Bridges, who was
standing at the end OF the bar, remarking
that he had it in for him, too. A strng-
gle ensued, during which Bridges was
beaten with the pistol and one shot was
fired, which struck a chair back OF the
bar and lodged in the floor. Bridges ran
from the bar room to the sidewalk, fol-
lowed by Clune. Five more shots were
fired outside. after which the injured
men were found as desert bed. During
the struggle in the saloon, the bar keeper
attempted to separate the com batants,
but after the first shot was fired he re-
ti,ed to a safe distance.
Deputy Constable Rogers was on the
scene Immediately after the trouble be-
gan. He says that both Bridges. Clune
and Miles had guns. The police blame
Rogers for not having assisted in quel-
Ing the disturbance. The two men, Ciune
and Boydston. escaped without any at
tempt having been made to capture them,
it is said.
1t could not be learned definitely how
many shots vera fred nor who did all
Of the shooting. The police think there
is still another party to the affair who
has not been accounted for. Certain it is
that Bridges and Miles had no weapops
about them when arrested by the officers.
the wounds on his own body. The case
is very much enwrapped in mystery, and
further developments may lead to inter-
esting disclosures.
Bridges and Clune Talk
Miles stated that just as he and Bridges
were leaving the saloon they encountered
Clune and companion. Without any
warning the latter pulled out revolvers
and began beating him upon the head.
Clune then. pointing his weapon at
Bridges. said. Take that. you" and
fred. The fusillade followed. Miles
claimed he did not have revolver. He
said the cause of the affair had been over
the payment of an account that Clune
owed them.
Clune said thatshe was in the act Of en-
tering the place, when Miles came out
and dealt him powerful blow on the
neck. Just which one began the shoot
ing Clunc couldlnot remember. He knew
only that somebody started to shoot at
him and he drew his weapon and emptied
it.
Regarding the trouble. Clune continued
that he had originally owed bill to
purchased the saloon AS Clune was
tending bar at the Crock, another saloon
several doors below. Kelly promised to
,liquidate Chimes account at the Crock. so
the latter states. not to pay Bridges.
Clune further states that both Miles and
Bridges had threatened his life.
Bridges was the rcprietor OF the saloon
al 1898 San Fernando street. that was
burned out yesterday morning. and Miles
was his barkeeper.
"A! the participants ir last nights
affair had been drinking.
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