The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-07-05
DEATH BY ACCIDENT
w. B. HefeIbower Shot and
instantly Killed by
{. R0GELL ON {. DOUGLAS
Was Examining a Didn't
KnoW-it- WaS-Loaded Gun

noon by E. RogelL The affair occurred
at 604 East Douglas in room occupied
by Mr.. Rogeu, Jew who deals in new
and second hand clothing At the time
of the accident the revolver, a 3S-Ameri-
can Bull Dos, was in the hands of Rogel.
Henelbower arrived in the city yesterday
morning with the intention OF spending
the day here and returning to his home in
Newton in the evening. On the way here
he was introduced to Frank Turner, a
young man from Sedgwick, and these two
were together during the entire time
after their arrival HeneIbower had been
drinking at different times during the
morning but was not in an intoxicated
condition.
After having seen the things Of inter
es, in the city they were walking along
Douglas avenue toward the depot when
IL commenced to rain. They stopped at
Rogells' place and Hefelbower staid on
the outside and sat down on q seat near
the door out Of the rain His companion.
Turner, went inside, and seeing some
rings in the show case, asked 70 see
them. They were taken out Of the case
and Turner tried several Of them on, but
had not decided to take. one, when an Old
22-cali5re revolver attracted his attention
and he asked to see It Rogeu produced
it and the conversation concerning the
weapon attracted the attention OF Heffel-
bower. who came in and examined it at
the same time. After the revolver was
laid down Henelbower asked RogeH if
he ever bought secondhand revolvers and
Rogeu replied that he did. HeTeIoower
then said that he had one that he desired
10 dispose Of, and produced 1t from his
hip pocket. The revolver was nearly new
and Rogen took it in his hands with the
intention Of examining IT. Heffelbower
was leaning over the counter watching
the Jew and talking about the weapon.
Turner was still standing near them, but
was not paying very much attention TO
the transaction. Within a very short
time after the revolver was handed to
Rogell It was discharged and the ball en-
tered Hefelbower's breast. near the heart.
Hefelbower staggered and Immediately
placed his hands on his breast and called
20 Turner, saying: Il am shot. Go for a
doctor. Turner Immediately ran from
the room and enquired Of some bystand-
ers conceTrins 4 doctor and was directed
to a nearby Office. In the meantime Hef-
follower walked out on the street. west
toward the corner where several men
were standing, but before reaching them,
commenced to stagger and fell and was
caught by them before reaching the pave
r7ent. He was Immediately taken to Ro-
CELLS store and a doctor came a short
time afterwaId but death had been al
most instantaneous. The police depart
ment was notified and Coroner NcCoIIis-
ter called to the scene. The body was re-
moved to Dunbar's undertaking rooms
and an inquest viii be held this morning
at O'Clock. The clothing was examined
by Coroner 1IcCoHister and in one Of the
pockets was found Sl6S in small change.
In another pocket there was knife and
several cartridges for his revolver In an
inner pocket in his coat was a memoran-
dun book with a number OF papers and
also a so bill in it.
HedeIbower's revolver was examined by
Coroner -McCoIlister and was found to be
loaded with the exception OF one cart
ridge. which had been discharged. The
cylinder holds five cartridges and the re-
volvec is probably not a very expensive
one.
For some time after the accident oc-
Cured it could net be learned where Hef-
follower was from. He was finally iden-
titled w Samuel DieM OK Newton, and
has been a stone mason in the employ
OF 3 contractor At that place. He is said
to have been an Industrious fellow and
we'll liked BY his associates A. the time
Of his death he vas neatly dressed in
a pair Of blue trousers and q brown coat.
He is q young man . years Of age, Of
average height and cutie muscular,
Weighing about $50 pounds. lie is men,
her in good standing OF Lodge No GO
Modern Woodmen ut Newton, and has
carried a 500 life insurance policy N
that order II is said that he is mem
Der Of other lodges there, but nothing au-
thentic in regard TO the latter could be
learned.
Frank Turner. HeGeIbOwer's companion.
has only been in the state a short; time
and at present has 4 position near Sedg-
wick He was around t7wl las- night
and seems TO regret very much the death
OF his friend. He saws THAI the shoot
ing was purely accidental and thar Boeel
was not 70 blame. There was no w5r-s
between the two at any time, AID me
Jew merely took the revolver with the
view of purchasing Il from Heffel bower.
he said that he vas aware Of the fact
Of il being loaded. but supposed that
HefTeIbower had removed the loads be-
fore giving +. to Rogeu At the time OF
the accident he was not aware % the ser
Iousress OF the wound.
RcCelI IN his story. claims that he ask
ed FeFelt0wer if the revolver was loaded
ard that HefeIbower had replied thar il
was not He says that he did not ray
any particular attention 20 see whether
il was loaded OF not. and simply taking
the word Of Hc1ef5oHer. Al the time
the weapon was discharged Rogell had
his hand near the end OF tie barrel Of
The revolver and the bullet grazed one Of
his fingers. Rogeu was very much sx-
cited after the accident. bur told the
same story to the different offers who
were at the scene.
HeffeIboger's people We're jclegr1pael
10 Yesterday and an Uncle and brother Of
the deceased man arrived IN the city las
night. The body will be taken TO Newton
for burial today.
This accident was the most serious one /
or the day Within a snort time aSler
4 had occurred. people al over town
were talking Of l. Wichita people n
general regretted the AFFAIR and were
eo-rv thar one OF their visitors for ths
ssv should come 70 such an unt1nsly
end.