The San Francisco call., 1897-01-03

acts, has not yet been ascertained. From
Brockman's habits and his demeanor pre-
vious to the tragedy, it seems probable
that the idea of murder and suicide was
inspired only by the liquor. The exact
circumstances of the affair may never be
known, as the scene of the shooting was a
bagnio.
Brock who was clerk for Millar &
Simpson, searchers of records, had been
drinking heavily for some time. OF late
he had become an absinthe drinker, and
his friends say he would swallow q whisky
glass full of absinthe at ore gulp. He
realized the hopelessness OF his condition
and endeavored many times to reform.
Recently he attempted to enter the navy,
but was re jected on account of slight
physical defect. On New Years day he
babe some OF his friends good-by, saying
he was going TO take trip broad TO over
come his pernicious appetite. He was
under the influence of liquor then. His
friends took little notice OF his words.
Friday evening, in company with three
women, he entered the Weverly saloon, at
A NJ McAIlister 8, rect, of which j. S. Mack
intosh is proprietor. He was, according
to Macintosh, drunk and quarrelsome,
and in order to avoid trouble The saloon
keeper gave him drinks on credit. After
remaining with his companions for some
time Macintosh induced him to leave.
Again lie returned, at 10 or IL o'clock,
still apparently looking for roubie. There
were a mum ber of persons of both sexes in
the sittiug-ro of the saloon and with
some of these, including Marguerite Hol-
lis, he had speaking acquaintance. He
entered into the conversation in bolster
ous manner, hourishing revolver and
making threats. Brockman was known
as '.iosher' and his talk about what he
could do with a revolver occasioned no
fear other than that the weapon would go
off accidentally.
About 2 o'clock, according to Mackin-
tosh, Brockman left his place, and after
that nothing is known of his movements
until the tragedy, which occurred q few
minutes afler o'clock yesterday morning.
At that time the Hollis woman. who
occupies one of the rooms over the saloon.
came running to the room occupied by
Macintosh.
II am shot!" she cried, and the blood
streaming from her face corroborated the
story.
Macintosh ran to her room and found
Brockman living on the bed with wound
in his head. apparently unconscious.
The ambulance was hastily summoned
and the pair were taken to the Receiving
Hospital. only about 200 yards distant. An
examination showed that bullet had .n-
tered the right side of Brockman's jaw
and had LODGED in the brain. He oied
about 10 o'clock yesterday morning with
out having made any statement.
The woman's injury was not so serious.
Her mouth was evidently open when the
shot tnat struck her was fired, Tor 1t first
came in contact with the interior of her
jaw. About the time Bfockman died she
was allowed to go to her room. Here she
remained until afternoon, her companions
declaring to the Morgue officials that she
had gone away, where they did not know.
In the afternoon she was taken TO the City
and County Hospital.
Before leaving the Receiving Hospital
she gave a brief statement OF the affair.
She said Hollis entered her room abou:
2:30 O'Clock and commenced brandishlng
Il revolver, saying that he was gong to
shoot her. She thought he was joking,
but begged him TO put up his gun. While
she was thus entreating him ne fired. AS
she ran from the room she heard the sec
ond shot.
Brockman is not known to have been
intimate with the woman whose lie he
attempted. He knew her as he knew
many other women OF her class, but his
friends and Macintosh deny that Brock
man hal any particular care for her.
The deceased was born in this City and
was 20 years of age. He commenced life
as newsboy and was particularly bright
and successful in that line.
About twelve years ago he entered the
| employ of Millar g. Simpson. He was a
clever accountant and was very popular.
His drinking habits we're we'll known to
all his acquaintances. About the City
Hall he was known as an inveterate joker
and in spirit of fun he had been popu-
larry dubbed Judge Rats"
He l.avesa mother and an unmarried