The San Francisco call., 1898-03-18

seph II. Noffett murdered his wife. shot himself, probably fatally, tried to shoot his step-daughter and undoubtedly in tered to also take the life of w. E. Davis. The would-be triple murderer and suicide is still alive, though death is expected at any time.
 The tragedy occurred in the rear of little house at 570 San Pablo avenue, and no one witnessed it except Moffett. The causes leading up to it were jealousy and business troubles. There is much doubt as to how deep were the grounds for the jealousy felt by Moffett, but the story told this afternoon by ex-Mayor Chap man, whom Moffett took into his confi- dence, throws much light on the murder
 ''I have known Mofett for about ten years" said MT. Chapman. About four months ago he returned from trip to the country and he told me when he came back he found a man in his home. His wife said he was a boarder, and he demonstrated and said he was not keep ing boarding house. He ordered the leave and paid him $4 which his wife said she owed him. He told me he was Sat1s- fled that his wife and Davis were too friendly, and he remained in an adJolnlng room on one occasion when his wife thought he was out. Davis and Mrs. Moi fett were in the room, and he satisfied himself that all was not right. He told his wife that Davis must make no more visits to the house. Moffett told his wife
  around the house any more. l advised him to do no shooting, as there was no great proof of Davis crime, an. and ! he las had He finally said he would do nothing to anybody without first discussin~ the mat
 Last night I met Moffett on San Pablo avenue. He was very downhearted and said he had made up his mind what to do, with him. I advised him to go away and forget his troubles, and he said he would not be driven out of his house by any man living. Before we parted l counseled him not to be foolish.'
 Mrs. Dora Guernsey is a daughter of Mrs. Moffett by former husband and She went with her mother last night 10 attend a meeting of Modern Trojans, of which order they are members. When they came home MofPett was very gloomy and after retiring to the bedroom he and his wife quarreled over business matters "I heard all they said said Mrs. Guern- sev. this afternoon, "and Moffett told my mother she was getting too much out of a little house they were paying for on the lnstallment plan. My mother said that her dressmaking business produced more money than Moffett's work as a carpen- ter and after time my mother became hysterical Moffett then called for me and I quieted her and remained with her all night. This morning my mother went out to the back porch to get some kin ding. Moffett followed her and I heard two shots. As l rushed out Moffett tried to shoot me and chased me through the house The revolver would not fire and that saved my life. I screamed after reaching the street and went back with some people. As we did so I heard an- other shot and when we reached the porch my mother was breathing her last and Moffett lay beside her.
 W. E. Davis, the man of whom Moffett told MT. Chapman he had cause to be jealous, denies that there was any occa- sion for jealousy on the part of Moffett He says they all belonged to the Modern TrojanS, and he sometimes came home with the ladies. He says he boarded with the Moffetts simply to assist them, as they were cramped financially.
 q heard that Moffett was making threats to shoot me-" said Davis, and I spoke to him about it. He denied it, but said he did not want me around the house as he did not want the neighbors to bring his Wife's good name into dis repute. I told him to do his shooting in my store and not to go around talking. I have done nothing of which I am ashamed, and believe all the trouble be- tween Moffett and his wife was over business matters
 Moffett is 60 years old his wife 4S, and they were married twelve years ago in Nebraska Since coming to Oakland Mrs. Moffett has done a good dreSSmaking business. Moffett was always regarded as a good workman and quiet citizen, and was an active member of the Car penters' Union when it existed in this oft