The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-03

BAN 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 dying condition last night on the
noor Of his private office. as the result OF
which IL was almost conclustvely proved
that the three bullet wounds In his head
could not have been seif-inflicted. The
theory IL nov advanced that Hoffman
was attacked while sitting in his ONCE.
and after falling to his knees as the result
OF glancinE blow on the temple and a
bullet IN his cheek. was shot from above
at close range. the bullet entering just
above the temple and lodging in the
mouth.
With the single exception OF the pistol
with which the wounds were inflicted. tho
police have not the slightest clue. and are
apparently as much mystified as the rela-
tives Of the deceased affect to be.
The police are avowedly as mystified as
ever regarding the manner in which Hon-
man met his death. Acting upon the the
ory that Hoffman was murdered, the sus-
picion Of the police turns most naturally
toward Theodore A. Figell, who, SO far
as Is known. last saw the merchant alive.
Figell, who is bockkeeper, cashier and
confidential clerk for the firm OF Holman
g. Rothschild, says he returned TO the
office last evening about 6:5 O'Clock, re-
NAMED five minutes, and then proceeded
to the Tiburon ferry. taking the $50
o'clock 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.
1t has been reported TO the police that
Figelfs books were about to be invesu-
gated. some gossip regarding the book
keepers free expenditures having come
to the ears of his employers. Figeli has
virtually been under surveillance all day.
and instead of going this evening TO his
suburban home. he arranged to remain in
the city over night.
The authorities do not go TO the length
OF charging Figell with the murder, and
are even 10th to admit that their sus-
picions are directed toward him. but so
far no one else has come within the range
Of police investigation in connection with
the crime. The development OF the theory
duplicating Figall is that some discussion
between him and Hoffman concerning the
bookkeeper's accounts occurred in the Of
flee in the early evening, that quarrel
ensued, possibly eliminating in the shoot
ing of Hoffman. On the other hand, it is
urged that Figell has voluntarily ac-
knowledged all Of the circumstances which
have brought him within the range Of in
Quiry, and has from the first refuted the
suicide theory. which the police think
would have supplied convenient loop
hole for guilty man.
As the investigation proceeds. the cir
cumstantial evidence against Figell is
apparently becoming stronger. Late this
evening he made a statement accounting
for his movements after the close Of BUSH
ness yesterday. He said that after leav-
ing his ONCE he went to an adjoining gun
store and purchased 3S-caliber Smith &
Wesson revolver. the 32-caliber pistol
which he declares he sold TO Hoffman for
S not long ago being too small. He says
he placed the new pistol. unloaded, in his
satchel, left the bag at the gun store and
went to his safe deposit box to deposit a
paper which, however. was not In his
pocket. Then he returned to the Office to
procure bottle of ink. spoke a few min
utes with Hoffman. returned to the gun
store and then ran to the ferry to catch
boat Tor his suburban home. The police
comment on the pistol purchase, his
fruitless trip to the safe deposit box, and
subsequently TO the Office. for he was
obliged to buy the bottle OF ink In San
Rafael later In the evening. According
to Figelrs own statement. II he Is fnno-
cent, Hoffman must have been wounded
almost Immediately after the clerks de-
parture for the ferry. The autopsy shows
that Horman's wounds were caused by a
32-caliber revolver, and this pistol which
Figell says he sold to Hoffman. was found
in the Office near the body of the dying
man by the patrolman who discovered
him.
FigeIl is about d years old and is a
son of Joseph Figell, pioneer clothing
merchant. formerly reputed wealthy. but
latterly considered only moderately well
OFF. The son has always been noted for
his rather extravagant tastes. which lat
terly have oceasioned comment. especial
ly as the father has been curtailng his
family expenses. Young Figeil denies
that his books are at all astray and says
he courts the investigation of his ac-
counts, which is about to be made
Chief of Police Lees is an oid-time
friend of Figell. ST., and says he cannot
believe the young man whom he has
known from boyhood guilty of murder
F'igeli has not been arrested. but Is spend
ing the night in company with a police
lot