The times., 1898-09-07
TRAGEDY OF THREE LIVES
Two Washington Men MUIR
dered i'm a Lumber Camp.
THE ASSASSIN SHOT DOWN
JohR III. and Edward W Hoffman,
Father and Son, the Victims of
Drunken Anger - One Was an
Elder in a Local ChuIch-FemaIe
Llnchfng Posse Organized to
ANenSe the Crime.


ANenSe the Crime.
The remains of John Hoffman, prom
inent lumber merchant, who rseided at
2l7 Ninth Street southwest, and his son,
Edward " Hoffman, both of whom were
shot and instantly killed by John
Schmidt drunken land owner. at the
Surrey County, Va, Monday morning
last, were brought to the city yesterday
afternoon, reaching here at 3:45 o clock
They were taken to Lees undertaking
establishment on Pennsylvania Avenue.
J. w. Kinlock. Mr.. Hoffman's foreman.
accompanied the remains to Washington
and furnished the particulars OF the trag-
edy TO the bereaved family and numerous
friends of the deceased in South Wash
ington-
Mr.. Kinlock. himself. providentially es-
capped the vengeful anger of the assassin.
who. after committing the double muir
der. was looking for him when frighten-
ed by the approach OF a number of lum-
bermen.
Beginning of the Trouble.
Schmidt owned quite an extensive tract
of timber land near the lumber camp and
sawmiH of Mr. Hoffman, and some time
ago the latter negotiated for the purchase
of a part OF it.
The deal was consummated a few days
ago. and the Hofmans took possession.
Schmidt has had a reputation in the
uaighborhood of being disagreeable man
10 deal with, especially in business mat
tiers.
After every transaction he would get
drunk and then arrive at the conclusion
that he had been defrauded. and would
70 out looking for means to get even.
This was the case after he sold his land
He went into the village of Scotland,
where he drank as much as his skin
would hold. and then, REINFORCED with a
gallon demijohn full of lumber camp
iiquor. he armed himself with a Winches-
ter and went to the camp.
There was nothing very beIligerent in
his appearance when he first arrived
there, and he accosted young Mr.. Hoff-
man pleasantly.
Where's your father, Ed.?" he asked.
He's UP at the MILL" the son re-
piled. What do you want?''
II want to fix up this deal we've just
made" said Schmidt.
Young Hoffman replied that the deal
had been fixed and the papers signed,
and asked Schmidt what further details
he wished to arrange.
We'll there's something else, and 1
want TO fix it," answered Schmidt, be-
coming angry.
Very WELL" replied the son, "Tu call
father
Atr. Hoffman appeared at his sons call
and walked down TO where the two were
standing. Schmidt had his rife over his
shoulder, but this was not an unusual
thing. and did not excite any alarm.
There were several men standing within
sight, and no one suspected that there
was anything amiss.
The Tragedy.
Schmidt and the elder Hoffman entered
into conversation about the land transac-
tion and Schmidt became very angry and
abusive. Finally the son said:
Wen, the law protects US here and we
do not expect to have any trouble
With an oath the enraged drunkard
took his gun from his shoulder and say
ing. I've got something here for YOU"
fired
Young Hoffman fell backwards dead,
with q bullet through his breast.
His father ran over to the PROSTATE fig
ure, exclaiming, my God, have you killed
him?" and knelt by his side He re-
mained in that position an instant and
just as he raised himself Schmidt fired
another fatal shot exclaiming:
Yes, -- you, and I've got another
here for YOU"
Mr.. Hoffman also fell, mortally wound
ed and expired in few minutes. Schmidt
faced the few men who were near, his
rifle slung across his arm, ready to be lev
eled at anyone who should attempt to
stop him, and shouted:
Looking for KfnIock.
Where's Kinlock? I've got to get
square with him, too"
Fortunately Mr.. Kinlock had gone to
the spring, which was some distance
away, for some water, and did not return
Until few minutes after the shooting.
A young lumber inspector from BaIti-
more, who was near next attracted the
attention Of the murderer, who started
after him. The inspector ran through the
mill, however, and escaped on a mule.
Schmidt then announced that he had
fourteen shots left, one of which he
would reserve for himself in case he was
caught. Several persons appeared in va
rious parts of the camp at this juncture
attracted by the noise of the shooting,
and Schmidt disappeared.
The bodies of the father and son were
taken into the mill and Mr. KinIock. on
his return, sent a telegram to Mrs. Hoff-
man, in this city, conveying the news.
The greatest indignation prevailed
nmong the lumbermen, by whom both
Mr. Hoffman and his son were greatly
respected, and If the posse which was
Immediately formed had caught him. he
would have been hanged to a tree AS il
was, however, more summary fate was
in store for him.
Swift Retribution.
Kinlock sent work TO the sheriff inme-
diately after the shooting. and a posse of
four was formed. The sheriff and his