The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-13
The Elder Man Renews a Quar-.
rel and Ignores the Others
Warning.
FOLLOWS HIM AND IS SLAIN.
His Dying Words Denunciation of
the Youth Who Took his
Life.

MERGED, CAL, July D.--Elmer Bolles
was shot and killed by Rix Shafer this
morning at o'clock. The trag-
edy followed quarrel between the
two men. The trouble BEGAN last night
when, after a war OF words, they came to
blows. Bolles was the larger and stronger
man and Shafer ran from him and started
for his home. This morning they met on
Front street. Bolles had been drinking,
and from the story of witnesses he ap-
peared to be the aggressor and insisted
upon taking up the quarrel of the previous
evening. Shafer told Bolles TO attend to
his own business, an warned Bolles that
he had revolver with him and. if neces-
sary, would use it. Bolles called him o
coward for carrying revolver and threat
ened to whip him when he met him with
out one. Shafer then left him and walked
down che street.
Bodies stood for a moment watching
Shafer and then started down the street in
the same direction. He soon overlook
Shafer who, without further talk, turned
and fired The bullet struck Bodies III tine
abdomen. They were about fifteen feet
apart. The wounded man reeled and
staggered to the edge of the sidewalk,
where he sat down. Shafer returned the
revolver to his pocket and walked away.
Constable Mack, who was some distance
down the street at the time, came running
up on hearing the shot. Skater immedi-
ately surrendered and was taken to Jail
Doctors were sent for and every effort was
made to save Bolles life, but he was bleed
ing internally and nothing could be done
for him. He died IN about thirty min
utes. Before rs death he made state
ment to the Officers declaring that he had
been shot by Rix Shafer and that he had
done nothing 10 provoke the shooting.
Bolles had been employed as a laborer
In this locality for some time and was re-
garded as troublesome character while
under the influence Of liquor, although
good-natured enough when sober. When
in his cups he delighted in exhibiting his
great strength. Young Shaier was raised
in this city, where his parents and other
relatives now reside. He has never evinced
desire for hard work, and has generally
been considered as posing for reputation
as a bad man. Although often in trouble
this was his first serious offense.
He has generally been haunting the
streets and saloons, and has been known
W AhoAC bhlSotS VI hHdb lie HOuIu 40 TO
people who came under the ban of his
dislike
The body of Bodies was removed 10 the
morgue, and the coroner summoned jury,
which met at IL o'clock and viewed the re-
mains. The jury then adjourned uutil
Tuesday evening, when the examination
Will be held. In the meantime an autopsy
will be held upon the body. a brother OF
the dead man, Robert Bodies, is living at
Turlock, and other relatives are resident at
Potosi, Wisconsin
Young Shafer had been engaged In an
alteration with another man earlier in
the morning, during which he was struck
on the head with bottle. His adversary
wears mourning on one of his eyes, where
Shafer afterwards struck him with a brick.