The herald., 1897-04-13
SHOT TODEATH
Early Morning Tragedy in
the Hammam Baths
AN EMPLOYEE KILLED
CONSERVATION Among the Reg
ular Habitues
THE MURDERER SURRENDERS
THE MURDERER SURRENDERs
COMES INTO THE POLICE STA
TION HALF CLOTHED
A Social Card Party Winds Up in a
Fatal Fight Between Two Me-
groes-A Bullet in the
Breast

Shortly after o'clock this morning the
habitues of the Turkish baths, 210 South
Broadway were awakened from their
peaceful slumbers by a prolonged scuf-
fie, followed by three shots fired in rapid
succession. The room was filled with
smoke and during the confusion that fol-
lowed there was hasty donning Of
clothes and a rapid retreat of everyone
who glanced as he passed at a motion
less form, lying prone on its back. with
wide-open, CLASSY eyes-stone dead.
BEFORE THE TRAGEDY.
At just FIVE minutes of 2 o'clock hack
drove up TO the front OF the building and
out Of it staggered Jim Holmes, who
lived on Maple avenue near Eighth
street, and was one of the negro sham
pooers connected with the establish
ment, beastly drunk. He evidently had
a grievance against Joseph Crossen, an
other shampooer. also colored, who was
at that time on duty.
Holmes walked through the reception
room and the door leading into the vesi-
bule from which the entrances to the
hot and steam rooms lead. AS he was
opening the door Crossen. who was
standing near the entrance of the plunge
at the rear, told him not to come In, say
ing
"You cut and beat me once tonight.
don't want any more trouble with you"
Holmes, however pushed open the door
and. brushing past T. NJ Mcclellan, an
other of the employees, grappled with
Crossen and a struggle commenced.
FIRED THREE SHOTS.
The two men fought out through the
swinging doors into the reception room
and fell violently against scale which
stands on one side of the room.
From that place Holmes lifted Cros-
sen and threw him upon a couch on the
right side of the apartment and pro-
ceeded to beat him In a brutal manner.
Crossen begged Holmes again and again
to stop, but his assailant still kept up
the punishment. and at last Crosson
said: "If you don't let up will shoot"
Holmes paid no attention to this and
Crossen fired three shots, one of which
penetrated the left breast of Holmes
and evidently was delivered at very
close range because his coat was badly
burned by powder.
After the shots were fired Crossen
threw his assailant over on the floor and
| Immediately ran out of the building
and gave himself up at the police sta
| ton.
The dead man was found lying on his
back with outstretched arms. and wide
| open eyes. His face was covered with
| blood on one side, but that evidently
did not come from the wound, because
| no blood came from his mouth.
CAUSE OF THE TRAGEDY.
The cause of the tragedy was the In
| reference of Crossen to prevent Holmes
from beating his wife. 1t appears that
| there was small party held last night,
where could not be learned, but both the
principals of the tragedy were present.
| Holmes, taking umbrage at some re-
mark made by his wife, started in to
beat her and Crossen interfered to save
| the woman, Holmes at once turned on
Crossen and after beating him, drew
razor and made a wicked slash at his
throat, which Crossen avoided by throw
ing up his right arm, receiving slight
cut on the little finger of the right hand.
| The two were afterwards separated,
| and Crossen came back to the Hammam
baths and reported for duty Holmes,
however, who appeared to be of an un-
forgiving nature, followed Crossen UP
and met the fate which he evidently
| courted.
THE MURDERER AT THE STATION
| 1t was 2.17 o'clock when CrosHen
rushed up to the desk of Police Clerk
Bean and in a wild, excited manner COM
menced telling how he had been abused
| by a man whom he had always eonsid-
| cred his best friend. He had ON his shoes
and pantaloons, and his cotton under
shirt wac torn In shreds and bespatterei
with blood. His face and neck were also
bloody. and his appearance indicated
that terrible struggle had taken place.
| At the time Crossen arrivev Sergeant
Jeffries was sitting in his private offica
and Officer Long was in the receiving
hospital Patrol Driver Cox was alco
near at hand. Crossen's loud and wild
harrangue attracted all the officers and
they, together with the reporters, lis
tened to his story. At first it was thought
to have been an ordinary case of disturb
ance. but when a reporter asked Holmes,
did you shoot him?" "Yes. In the
breast" was the answer. Then there was
a rush for the scene of the murder.
SCENE OF THE CRIME
| Upon arriving there, Sergeant Jeffries
sent officer Long back to the police sta
tion, instructing him to lock Crossen
up. The officer shortly Afterwards re-
turned and a systematic search was
made for the murderer's pistol and
Holiness razor. but no trace of either
could be found. Sergeant Jeffries is of
the opinion that some one took pains to
hide the weapons Immediately after
Crossen started for the police station.
WHO THE MURDnRER IL
| Joesph F. Crossep. the slayer. il biz
burly negro Of about 80 years. He is
q native Of Texas ana has been In Los
| Angeles about three years. He Il :said
| to have q divorced wife at DalIaa Tor
saveral months ~ hoo been empjoxed
/ at the Hammam bathq, Ho Ia oJaa