The record-union., 1895-04-18
AS TO TIE DEATH OF MRS. HOPP.
Why There Was No Inquest Held by
the Coroner.
Her Dying Statement That She Her.
self Inflicted the Wound. and
That 1t Was Accidental.

On the evening of the 26th of March
Mrs. Martin Hopp. residing with her
husband at 1119 Third street, received a
bullet wound in her left breast while in
her room. All that could be learned
about the affair was that she was hand
ling pistol and that it was accidentally
discharged. 1t was thought at the time
that she would recover, but she fingered
until Monday last, when death ensued.
On the night of the shooting there were
some insinuations thrown out TO the effect
that the wound was inflicted with sui
cldal intent, but Mrs. Hopp herself in
sisted that it was accidental, and so in
formed DR.. Sutlif. She repeated this
after she was assured she could not live.
1t is now alleged that Mrs. Hopp's hus-
band was with her when the landlord
OF the place and his wife entered the
room, and that he was there when the
shot was fired. The body was taken to the
undertaking. Of John Miller (who
IS also County COronerl, and yesterday
was forwarded to San Francisco for
burial.
Martin Hopp. the deceased's husband,
has been greatly depressed ever since the
affair occurred, and on the day his wife
died he threatened to kill himself, but
friends took care of him and he was
quieted.
Deputy Coroner Fenton declares that
he had been unable to learn anything in
connection with the shooting calculated
to disprove Mrs. HOpp's dying statement
that 1t was accidental, and for this reason
and the fact that the cause OF the wom-
ans death was clearly stated in the GER
tIhcate of the physician who attended
hpF-hp pn boi
ing an inquest.
SAID the Deputy Coroner to a RECORD
UNION reporter last evening: LAS cer-
tain statements have been made concern
ing the death OF Mrs. Hopp, wish to
state as briefly as possible the case as l
| qua and do now understand it.
w men we received the remains and re-
moved them to the Morgue we were told
she accidentally shot herself some DAYS
before. ON examining the body l found
pistol wound in the breast. The people
at the house told me to see DR.. Sutliff.
ana also the minister who came to see
Mrs. Hopp. Those gentlemen told me all
they knew was that the deceased had said
at all times the shooting was accidental
II asked MIR. and Mrs. Yaeger, in
whose house the Hops lived, il they
knew anything concerning the case.
They said she told them the shooting was
accidental. To her lady friends Mrs.
IIOpp lOlu Inc same story. 10 Mr.. aeg9r
l said: Have you any theory, or would
you go on the stand and swear the shoot
ing was any but accidentaI?' He replied,
No.
Il would state that the Doctors certifi-
cate, as published, is correct. AS to being
responsible for any claims against the
Hops, would say l have no money be-
longing to them. Mr.. Hopp informed
me before leaving town that he was in
debt TO no one.
Now, these being the facts, I did not
feel justified in putting the county
to the expense of finding out that
which we already knew. As to smother
ing the case, l would say the body lay at
the Morgue from Sunday morning until
Wednesday morning and when the re-
porters waited on US we informed them as
to the facts IN the case. l did not notify the
police that Mrs. Hopp had died, because
dId not, and do not now, believe there
has been crime committed"