The herald., 1897-06-02
WHO SHOT
HOFFMAN
San Francisco Police Are
Puzzled
NO REASONS FOR SUICIDE
VERY LITTLE EVIDENCE OF
MURDER
NO REASONS FOR SUICIDE
Isaac Hoffman, Clothier, Found Dead
in His Office With Two Bullets
in His Head
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 1.-The fatal
shooting this evening of Isaac Hoffman,
IL member of the firm of Hoffman, Alex
ander & Co., clothing manufacturers, is
shrouded in mystery. There are con-
f1icting theories Of murder and suicide
and the police as yet know nothing, ex-
cept that Hoffman Is dying in the re-
ceiving hospital with two bullet wounds
in his head. He was found in his Office
by the night watchman, who, discover
ing the door on the latch, entered and
stumbled over his employers body. No
reason Is apparent for suicide, and there
was at first no seeming probability that
murder had been committed. 1t was
subsequently reported, however, that
in the early evening Hoffman and an
other man had been seen to be in ear
nest conversation, entered the Office of
the firm. Only one of these men was
observed to come out, and he made hin
exit on the stretcher Of the patrol wag-
on. No one heard a pistol report, but
as the office Is at No. 2 Battery street
in the wholesale section, there are few
passers-by at night, the quarter being
practically deserted.
Deep mystery surrounds Hoffman's
death. He was not dead when found,
but died on the way to the hospital
When seen shortly after 5 o'clock he ap-
peared in the best Of spirits, but hinted
that domestic affairs had troubled him
lately. If 1t proves to be case of sui
eide this will probably be the assigned
reason for the deed. The firm is one of
the most prosperous in the city, and is
we'll known all over the United States.
About the last person who saw the
deceased merchant was his bcokkeeper,
Theodore A. Figle. Figle left the office
shortly after 5 O'clock but later returned
and when greeted by the watchman said
that he had forgotten something. Later,
on passing the door, the wAtchman test
ed it and found 1t partly open, and OPEN
ing it still further, saw light in one of
the back office, and thinking Figle
might be still at work, half latched it so
that 1T would make a noise If anybody
entered. On repassing the door he
found it in different position and went
inside to investigate. He heard noise,
and on going into the lighted room found
the dying man with one bullet in the
mouth and another through the cheek.
A pistol was also found A third shot
had passed through his hat and lodged
in the ceiling. The police commenced
an investigation Immediately, barring
the doors and refusing admittance to
all, even the reporters. After two or
three hours Chief of Police Lees appear
ed upon the scene and his subordinates
made a report to him, shortly after
which the newspaper representatives
were admitted. To them it looked like
case of suicide. The detectives have
spent the whole evening examining wit
nesses and their action strengthens the
theory of murder, which Is held by the
dead mans friends.
The theory of murder is supported by
a surgical examination of the body,
which showed that the fatal shot was
fired into the left side of the head, the
deceased being right-handed man.