The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-08-13
YARDMAsTER OF THE RAILWAY
KILLED BY SUBORDINATE.
Samuel Barney Mortally Wounded
John w. Lorbeer Yesterday Morning
Several Versions of the Shooting.

John w. Lorbeer the yardmaster of
the Oahu Railway and Lana Company
was snot ana mOrtaiIy WOunueu yes
terday morning near the depot by
Samuel Barney, a tram conductor. Two
bullets both OF which took effect, were
fired at Lorbeer VINO died within an
hour after being injured. the state
ments of those who witnessed the af-
fair differ considerably and, while some
claim that barney started to shoot
without any prOvOcatiOn, the prisoner
ana others are positive that LOrbeer
had Barney down on the ground strik-
ing him before Barney urew his re-
volver. Statements regarding the rela-
tions between the two concerned differ
also. While on the operating table
Lorbeer said positively that he had
discharged Barney for excessive drink
ing but the latter denied this positively
to representative of The Star and
said that whatever might have been
Lorbeer's instructions from the head
officials of the road the order of dis
charge had not been given to him.
The trainmen had arranged to hold
a picnic at Makua and a nun4ber were
standing about the round house waiting
for Lorbeer to make UP the special
Sunday morning at S:45 clock. Among
them was Barney. A Portuguese nam
ed Cabral with whom Barney had had
some disagreement applied an insult
ing epithet to Barney and the latter
struck him in the face. Cabral ran
over to Lorbeer and spoke to the lat
| ter about the assault. Barney says he
was waiting for the train to come along
SO as to board the coach and ride to
the depot. The first platform was too
crowded so he waited until the second
| one. Lorbeer was on the front plat
form and according to the statement
of Barney, sprang to the ground and
| going to Barney asked what was the
matter with him. Barney replied no.
thing. Then occurred the events which
led to the tragedy. The versions given
differ so materially that even the po-
| lice are at loss to reconcile the two
statements.
Herbert Hughes, an engineer on the
| railway witnessed the affair and he
claims that Barney was standing be-
! tween the rails as the car approached
! and Lorbeer sprang off the steps and
showed Barney out of the way. Barney
seemed to address some remark to
! Lorbeer for the latter went back to
| him and Barney Immediately drew a
revolver and shot Lorbeer. The latter
| struck him a violent blow in the head
and grappled with him and as they
! fell, Barney fired a second time.
"Lorbeer attacked me almost the in
slant after he jumped from the car
said Barney in prison this morning.
/ Il was waiting to board the train as
! it came along but the front platform
was crowded so | waited for the sec
Ond. Lorbeer sprang from the plat
form and asked me what was the mat
ter | replied nothing and he at once
struck me. / told him to let me alone
for it was none of his business mean
ing my quarrel with the Portuguese.
Lorbeer knocked me down and got on
top of me and continued to strike me.
kept telling me to stop and finally ]
drew my revolver and shot. The sec
Ond time the revolver was discharged
was accidental | think. There had
never been any quarrel before between
us but | don't think that he liked me
very well. ! have not been drinking
Both bullets passed through the in
testines of Lorbeer and the left kidney
was also perforated. He died on the
operating table shortly after being tax
en- to the Queens Hospital.
Lorbeer had worked for the railroad
for nearly two years and was held IN
excellent esteem having proved himself
an efficient man. His parents live il
Pomona, California. Barney came her,
about a year ago from San Antonio
Texas. The inquest will be held this
afternoon at o'clock at the officer OF
Deputy Sheriff ChillingwOrth.
Barney was arraigned before Judg,
Wilcox this morning. on a charge Of
murder in the first degree. The pris
oner had little to say He stood will
folded arms while the deputy sheriff
read the charge, after which Judg,
Wilcox informed him as to his rights
His honor advised the prisoner that h,
need not make any plea in the lowe
court and that he had a right to
continuance for a reasonable time t.
. get a lawyer and prepare his case. Bar
ney asked for two DAYS, and the cas-
went over TIL Wednesday morning
The funeral of LOrbeer viii be hel,
tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from
Harmony Han under the auspices o
n u