The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-12

day spoke regretfully of their former mess
mates untimely end, and that is one of
the reasons why his end was untimely.
Many good man in the regiment had felt
the sting OF Quinn's trained dukes and
though they admitted in speaking of him
Yesterday that he was over ready for
fight, this circumstance detracted nothing
from their admiration. In other respects he
was honest, straightforward and a good
soldier.
There was also woman in the tragedy
who figured rather vaguely. her part being
obscured by the drunken condition OF the
participants in the fracas.
There were four eye-witnesses to the
fatal stroke for which Private James
Kelly is now confined on a charge of MUIR
der. OF these, only one. John P. Jones, is
a particularly competent witness. The
other three-Harry g. Mills, Henry Kamp-
schmidt and John Whalen-were very
much under the influence of liquor.
Kampschmidt declares he was SO drunk
he can recollect nothing. Whalen is
damaging witness against Kelly, but the
fact that he was himself engaged in the
braWl and Immediately after the cutting
ran away and didn't show up till yester-
day morning tends to throw some dis
credit on his reliability
locked in the guardhouse at Fort Mason
Yesterday afternoon, and no one was
allowed TO see them. The men who were
at LARGE were instructed not to talk, and
every effort was made to keep the affair as
quier as possible. At O'Clock Detective
Ben Bohen and Officer Harrigan visited
the fort and the witnesses were brought
before them and examined.
Kampschmidt was the first witness
called. He, however, didn't remember
anything except that he was very drunk
on the night of the 10th. Detective Bohen
feels confident he will remember more
when he wishes to.
Whalen's story WIS that Quinn, Mills,
Kampschmidt, Kelly and himself had had
difficulty in the afternoon. In the even
ing about 8: 80 they went to the City, and
after drinking some returned to the post
about 10:45. They went to the post ex-
change, or canteen, to have glass of beer.
and met the crowd with whom they had
quarreled in the afternoon. They all
started for the barracks and the argument
was continued on the way. Quinn struck
Mills and Knocked him down. Kamp-
schmidt then struck W halen. When Mills
fell Whalen says he saw Kelly make a rush
for Quinn, uttering vile oaths as lie went.
II am not sure whether Mills hit Kelly"
he said, ''or whether Kelly ran, but the
next time / saw Kelly he was behind the
hose reel. Quinn started away to see how
Kampschmidt and / were faring. As he
was approaching me / saw Kelly strike at
him and Quinn staggered toward me, say
ing Jack, l am killed; they have cut my
jugular.' l held him in my arms. The
blood was running from his neck. The
only man / saw near Quinn was Kelly, who
wes then running up the steps into the
Quarters [ could follow him by his W hite
shirt. y Quinn gasped Tell MIN
ME- or something similar, and as Quinn
and / had an appointment at 80 with
Mamie knew what he meant and went to
tell her."
Whalen said he walked about town a
while, went to bed and didn't get up until
6 A. M, when he came back to the post
Mills story differs remarkably from that
OF Whalen He says the whole trouble
was between himself and Quinn. Quinn
stole 81 from a crap game which he was
playing with Mills. Mills demonstrated and
Quinn insisted on fighting. Mills didn't
want to tight and the matter was dropped
temporarily. Later in the night, about
1920, Quinn returned from town with
Whalen and insisted on a fight. NJ ills
again refused, and ali started for the bar
racks. On the way Quinn struck Mills and
knocked him down. He then crawled
away. In the afternoon he had seen Quinn
brandishing a razor and threatening to
hurt any body who molested him.
John 2. Jones told how he had watched
the lighting near the barracks. Just as
Quinn approached Kampschmidt he saw
Kelly run up behind Quinn ana then run
Immediately to his barracks.
Kelly's cap and razor identified as
his, were found near the body of Quinn,