The record-union., 1896-01-30
FIRED IN SELF DEFENSE.
Inquest on the Body Of hugo KlaSS, Who
WaS Shot on Sunday.
The Jury Brings in Verdict That
Exonerates Jack Hurley
From Blame.

The inquest on the death of Hugo
Elass, who was shot on Sunday in the
row at the New William Tell House,
was concluded last night
J. 7. McNamara testified that he was
with CooIot, Hurley and Ripley on Sun
day morning when they went to the
bail. After it was over Coolot invited
the crowd to have a drink with him.
They went to the bar and Coolot was
called aside. The first thing he knew
the barkeeper said he wanted pay for
the beer and came outside. Witness
told him he would pay for it, if Coolot
did not. The barkeeper raised some
glasses up as if to throw them. Hurley
lodged and ten or a dozen men sprang
for him and struck him. Ripley was
knocked over on the bar. Witness got
out, but when the boys got together
they heard Hurley calling for help. 1t
sounded as if he was being choked.
Soon Hurley was thrown out and eight
ca ten men followed him out. Witness
saw some men grab Hurley, who fired
the first shot in the air. Then he fired
again. Witness tried to go inside and
someone hit him twice with a cane.
When Hurley fired the second shot 1t
was towards the men who threw him
cut. Then Klass grabbed him by the
neck. Witness did not see Klass until
he saw him grab Hurley. When the
last shot was fired Klass fell.
When the barkeeper came out it
seemed as if men came from all direc-
tions and jumped on Hurley. Ripley was
thrown on the bar and three or four
men were on him. Witness got out
into the street and when he heard
Hurley halloo, Call in helpi" he looked
in and saw Hurley surrounded by men,
who were striking him. The man with
the cane would not let witness in to
get his hat. Three or four men rushed
out Of the saloon after Hurley, who
staggered and held up his hands to
shield himself Then he pulled his pis
tol and shot Everything had gone on
nicely until the row commenced.
When the barkeeper came out he got
between witness and Hurley and the
door. Witness called CoolOt, but be-
fore he could make him hear the fight
commenced. When the barkeeper came
out Hurley did not strike him. They
thought he was going to throw the
glasses and witness and Hurley tried
to get out of the way. Witness offered
to pay for the drinks and no one told
hamRlot to, so far as he heard. He offered
to pay for the drinks, in order to avoid
trouble. There were some other men
drinking at that end Of the bar. Hur-
ley said he had not had his drink.
City Attorney Brown asked what
drinks he offered to pay for, and wit
ness said that it was the drinks that
the man claimed they had had. Hurley
was in front of the beer chest and as
soon as the barkeeper came out ten or
fifteen men surrounded Hurley. Witness
helped Ripley to get out of the saloon.
Several times when he looked into the
saloon he could not seee Hurley, and
when he saw him eight or ten men were
around him, striking at him. Some Of
the men were striking at Hurley when
he came out of the saloon and followed
him till the first shot was fired. After
the second shot he saw KIass grab
Hurley and the latter cried, Keep off;
let me alonel"
Mrs. Josie Schuler was on the side
walk and saw Hurley pushed out Of the
saloon and saw him shoot. She did not
see anyone come out with him.
AS she could not talk or understand
English well she was excused.
Louis Duhain was at the masquerade.
He went there alone and one of the mu-
sicians took him in. He was in the
dance hall when Coolot and the others
came in. They had some beer, and af-
terwards they went into the saloon at
CooIot's invitation. When the dispute
started he told the barkeeper that Coo
lot had ordered it. He went to cali
Coolot and the row started. He saw
some one beating Ripley. over the head
with club and thought he would be
killed. The crowd had Hurley down
and were beating him. He helped
Ripley get out and heard the shots.
He saw the man fall, but was looking
after his friends safety. They caught
hold of Hurley and he said. MY God.
boys, let me alone, am all beaten up
They took him down to the Peerless
saloon, where he tainted away. Rip
ley's head was all cut and bleeding and
Hurley was badly beaten. Witness was
positive that he saw Ripley struck with
a club 1t looked something like a
broomstick. He heard no vile language
and did not see Hurley strike Steiner.
The latter was flourishing the glasses
in his hand and was much excited.
Joseph Marty was at the hotel that
morning. He was in the dining room
He could not remember whether he was
in the bar-room when the fight took
place. He heard there had been a fight