The San Francisco call., 1897-06-02

the walls and furniture of the room were
crimsoned. A glass door leading into a
wash and telephone room was covered
with blood stains and the imprint OF
hands as if the wounded man mad made
an attem pt to open the door, and weak
ening from loss of blood had SLOWLY
kneeIed to the floor drawing his stained
hands down the glass to the wood work
below.
From there great drops of blood could
be traced into the room where the wound
ed man was found, which spot was marked
by another pool of blood the size of the
dead mans body.
The walls, furniture and woodwork of
both rooms were spattered with blood,
and in third room adjoining bloody
landmark disfgured the walls.
Over desk in the room in which the
shots were fired a bullet had plowed
its way into the plaster. The bit of
lead rebounded into a chair, where it
was found.
The bullet showed n evidence OF blood
or having travelled through human flesh
and it is believed to be the one which
pierced Hoffman's hat brim.
Chief Lees, after surveying the prem
ises, questioned closely all the employees
of the place and took the statement of
Miss Lizzie Morrin, who for the past year
had been employed by Hoffman as a
nurse.
Miss Morrin had been sent to the store
about O'Clock by Mrs. Hoffman and ar
rived shortly after her employer had been
found in dying condition. She said she
had been sent to ascertain the cause of
his absence after his dinner hour had
passed.
At the time the young woman was
questioned the theory of suicide had been
accepted, and on being asked whether she
knew of any cause which could have
YNfF~ ~
stated her EN- ployer had been Respondent
over trouble existing between his mother
in-law, Mrs. Alexander, and himself but
in his immediate household 8 most happy
condition existed.
Notwithstanding the young woman's
statement that she called to ascertain the
cause of Hoffman's absence, it is believed
she called 10 carry home some money from
him to Mrs. Hoffman, as the following
letter, which was found ON Hoffman,
body, would indicate:
Ny Dear Husband: If convenient as TO-DAY
should be gift day with you, please prese n
me with $50 or $50. and l shall esteen ~ a
great favor. l am in need of it. Must get a
parnsol, hat for every day, underwear stock
ings and would like to pay some back bills.
| Will not need anything, then, until the
holidays, so please as favor, give 1t to me
can't help running bills when only nave
about ~ week 10 clothe myself Even il
you could pay me in advance by the month !
could make that do.
wish TO pay up everything, SO please SEND
1t with Lizzie, and TO convince you am tell
ing the truth you are privilaGed TO see the re
celpts.
Hoping you will comply with my request, I
am your affecuouate wife, DORA n
Hoffman, his wife and four children
boarded at 927 Sutter street, and Manager
Harris and the other employees said thai
they lived happily together. He was a
wealthy man, and had no possible motive
for com mmltting suicide so far as is known
The deceased married the daughter OF
ms former partner, S. o. Alexander, and
four children are the issue of the mar.
riage, the eldest being years of age.
TINS is no suicide" said A be Hoffman.
a brother of the deceased, last night. 81
nave been on the closest terms with nv
bro her, and he has ia ked to me greaI
deal about his affairs. Only few days
ago l spent the whole evening with him
and he dwelt al great deal upon certain
troubles OF his family-lhe relations with
his wife's family. He has insisted to me
Tor months that he was being watched.
This trouble, however, was not of
character to weigh upon his mind to any
great extent and by no means to cause
him to think of suicide. He was of a
cheerful disposition, and was quite happy
In his home. He loved his home and
his family and was wrapped up in his busi-
ness so that / am absolutely certain that
he did not commit suicide.
The firm changed about a year ago
following the death of Mr.. Alexander
The trouble has followed the change in
the firm.
MRS. Alexander, Mrs. Hoffman's moth