The herald., 1897-06-03
AUTOPSY
WAS HELD
Upon the Corpse Of Isaac
Hoffman
SUICIDE THEORY ABANDONED
SUICIDE THEORY ABANDONED
THE WOUNDS COULD NOT BE
sELE-MELICTED
Aside From the Pistol Used the Of
Acers Have Not the Slight.
est Clue
Associated Press Special wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 2.-Under the
direction Of the coroner an autopsy was
held upon the body of Isaac Hoffman
| the Battery street merchant who was
found in a dying condition last night
on the floor of his private office. as the
result Of which it was almost conclus-
lively proved that three bullet wounds
in his head could not have been self
inflicted. The theory is now advanced
ting in his Office, and after falling to his
knees as the result of a glancing blow
on the temple and a bullet in his cheek,
was shot from above at close range,
the bullet entering just above the tenn
pie and lodging in the mouth. With the
single exception Of the pistol with which
the fatal wounds were inflicted, the po-
lice have not the slightest clue and arc
apparently as much mystified as the rel
atIves of the deceased affect to be.
| Hoffman, his wife and four children,
boarded at 927 Sutter street and Man
ager Harris and the other employees
said that they lived happily together.
though there were rumors Of domestic
discord.
The deceased married the daughter of
his former partner, s. o. Alexander, and
four children are the issue of the mar
riage, the eldest being nine years of age.
This is no suicide" said Abe Hon.
man, brother Of the deceased, last
night. II have been on the closest terms
with my brother and he has talked to me
a great deal about his affairs. Only a
few days ago spent the whole evening
with him and he dwelt at great length
upon certain troubles OF his family-the
relations with his wfe.s family. Herhas
insisted to me for months that he wal
"The firm changed about q year ago
following the death of Mr.. Alexander
The trouble has followed the change in
the firm. Us
MRS. Alexander, Mrs. Honmans
mother, resides at the Occidental Hotel.
She has three sons living-Richard o.,
Joe and Milton. They are engaged in
the cigar business at San Jose.
II am not at liberty to say tonight
just what the trouble was that I refer
to, but 1t will be unraveled as this affair
is probed. I am sure that my brother
was watched and followed" &
Other members of the family expressed
the same opinion Of the tragedy.
The police are avowedly as mystided
as ever regarding the manner in which
Hoffman met his death. Chief Of Po-
lice Lees is still inclined to cling to his
original theory Of suicide although the
autopsy showed that 1t was almost a
physical impossibility that the wounds
could have been self-inf1icted. Acting
upon the theory that Hoffman was MUIR
dered, the. suspicion Of the police turns
most naturally toward Theodore A. FL
gell, who, as far as is known, last saw
the merchant alive. Figell, who is book
keeper, cashier and confidential clerk
for the firm of Hoffman & Rothschild.
says he returned to the Office last even
ing about 6:15 o'clock, remained five min
utes, and then proceeded to the Tiburon
ferry, taking the 6:30 boat for his home
in San Rafael. Figell asserts that he
left Hoffman in his usual good spirits,
and he discredits the idea Of suicide.
The shooting was done with a Smith
s. Wesson revolver, and Figelr admits
that the pistol which apparently caused
the fatal wounds was formerly his but
he states that he sold the weapon to
Hoffman several months ago.. It has
been reported to the police that Figells
books were about to be investigated.
Some gossip regarding the bookkeeper's
free expenditures having come to the
information of his employers. Figell
has virtually been under surveillance
all day, and instead of going to his sub
urban home this evening, he has ar
ranged to remain in the city over night
The authorities do not go to the length
of charging Figelr with the murder, and
are even 10th to admit that their suspi-
cions are directed toward him. but 50
far no one else has come within the
range of police investigation in connec-
ton with the crime The development
OF the theory duplicating Figell is that
some discussion between him and Hoff-
man concerning the bookkeeper's ac-
counts occurred in the Office in the early
evening, and that quarrel ensued, pos
sibly eliminating In the shooting OF
Hoffman On the other hand 1t is urged
that Figell has voluntarily acknowl-
edged all Of the circumstances that have
brought him within the range Of In
qutry, and has from the first refuted
the suicide theory which the police think
would have supplied q convenient loop
hole for guilty man.
Az the Investigation proceede the cir
cumstantial evidence against Figell Is
apparently becoming stronger. Late
this evening he made a statement ac-
counting for his movements after the
close of business yesterday. He said
that after leaving his office he went to
an adjacent gun store and purchased a
SS-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver. the
| 32-caliber pistol which he declares he
sold to Hoffman for IS not long ago be-
| ing too email. He raye he placed the new
pistol. unloaded. in his satchel. left the
bag at the gun etore. ana went to his
safe depirlt box to depceik paper,
(which. however. wss not a bin pocket,
tIAen ~ returned o.the oi1oa 20 procure
6o*tle of Int. 8noIke : fexr 1ninutee With
31G1tnan. IS tn ~ ~ M 4Qi ~ and
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