The San Francisco call., 1897-06-04
The Lock on the Front Door as 1t
Was Found BY Ferrenbach.
into custody, or every theory of murder is
dIsaipatad

into custody, or every theory of murder is
dissipated.
Hoffmans financial condition has been
| found to have been excellent. Mr.. Never
| stein of Meyerstein 6J Co, Drotner-in-
law OF E. S. Rothchild, Hoffman's partner,
| said yesterday afternoon that the firm was
one OF the most prosperous and su bstan-
tial financially in the City. The firm was
reorganiZed about n year ago, with a capi-
tai stock of $3.50 coo. and since that time
has profited over $40, 600. These state
ments refute the rumors that a scarcity OF
gold could have prompted Hoffman to
take his own lite, and this leaves only one
motive in substantiation of the suicide
theory-the domestic troubles of the de-
ceased.
A question of considerable importance
in the case is, Was Hoffman right or left
handed? Abraham and Henry Hoffman,
the dead mans brothers, say that he was
right-handed, as do his most intimate &C
qualntances. He must, however, have
been expert in using his left hand in
many things which the majority of right
handed men employ their night for.
w hen his body was searched at the Re-
ceiving Hospital mis- keys, few dollars
and a few small trinkets were found in
his left trouser pockets, and a few small
! possessions were found in his right vest
and coat pockets, showing he had used
his left and right hands to place them
there
Captain Bohen explains the proposition
| by the hat found with its brim perforated
! by bullet. Tne captain is positive in his
opinion that the deceased committed sui
eide. The bullet hole in the hat rim is on
the right side near the front and Bohen
believes Hoffman held the pistol in mis-
right hand and fired the shot. Failing to
end his life on the first attempt he
| changed the revolver TO his left hand and
fired two more Shots one of which crash ed
| through the skull, inflicting a mortal
wound.
Captain Bohen's theory as 10 the manner
IN which the merchant met his death is
only theory, however, and is alleged to
be completely dissipated by the autopsy
held on the body. Experts say that
through many years of experiment il has
been demonstrated that revolver he'll
closer than eighteen inches will imme-
dlately burn the flesh. Ofttimes a pistol
flash will burn at much greater distance
than that, and the absence of powder
scorching or pits on Hoffman's face, they
say, goes far to prove that the theory of
murder is correct,
DR.. Charles A Morgan, at one time au-
topsy physician at the Morgue and at
present City chemist, WHO was present
when The post-mortem examination was
held on Hoffman's body yesterday ex-
pressed his opinion that the dead mer-
chant did not FIRE the shots that ended
his life.
Il am clearly convinced that a hand
other than Hoffman's held the revolver
that ended his iife," said Dr. Morgan.
"Of course it is possible that he took his
own life, but the nature of the wounds
tends to disprove a case of self-destrur-
ton, and the absence of powder marks is a
very significant fact. 1t would have been
I'M possible for Hoffman TO have held the
revolver more than eighteen inches from
his head or face. This being the fact, |
make the unqualified statement that there
would have been material evidence O
powder burns had the deceased fired the
weapon. There are dark spots around the