The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-09

ing fraternity and citizens generally, was
the early morning tragedy IN the Cali
fornia gambling house. in which Edward
b. Shank. one of its proprietors. was
almost instantly killed by y bullet from
q revolver In the hands OF William E.
Langdon.
A full account Of the immediate cir
cumstances surrounding the early morn
ing shooting. which occurred shortly af-
ter O'Clock. was published in yesterdays
Post-Intelligencer Today II given the
FIRST statement which Langdon has made
since the shooting in explanation Of how
II occurred, The statement In in accord
with his remark made Immediately after
the killing. In which he claimed that he
sAot Shank In self-defense.
The homicide created considerable dis
cussion among the many opponents Of the
open gambling policy of the present city
administration. who cite the AFFAIR as Z
direct outgrowth of this policy.
An examination Of the private room ad-
Joining the main gambling hall. in which
the shooting occurred. shows that the
mon discharged their weapons at very
close range Three stray bullets from
LAngdon's revolver left their imprint upon
the walls and window OF the apartment.
ana one bullet. passing through tho glass
pane. imbeddsd itself In the casing Of the
second story window OF room 10 In the
Pacific block. directly opposite.
Early yesterday morning the friends Of
Langdon called upon James Hamilton
Lewis TO engage him 10 defend Langdon.
but up 10 late hour last night no ceh-
nite agreement had been reached between
attorney and clients. II fs understood that
I.swis declined to represent the defendant
unless he was guaranteed = fee OF 1900.
5000 Of which he demanded paid In ad-
vance. Yesterday afternoon Lewis was
cioseted with IAngdon In the inspectors
office Ut police headquarters for over an
hour. and fmmedia tcly following the In
terview Lanrdon gave to Post-Inteiii-
gencer reporter the first statement which
he has made since the shooting concern
ing the disagreement which led up to the
taking of Shank's life. Langdon's remarks
were prefaced by the statement. oft re-
peated during the conversation, II did II
In self-defense'
Relations Had Bcen Friendly.
He said
II have known Mr.. Shank for some
time. extended to him frequent favors
always OF the most amicable nature. Re-
Gently have been negotiating for the
purchase Of 4 house and incurred q debt
In the matter OF some gas hxtures which
was due and which ! had promised TO
pay Immediately.
AZ $50 o'clock this morning had start
arming myself with pistol. not In an
ticipatfon OF any trouble. but simply as
Z Precautionary me .s for isar Of
! concluded 10 see shank regarding the
payment Of some part Of between $500 or
n.oco due me from : deal which we had
II went 10 the California Club and met
Shank standing In front OF faro table
a. the front ~ the hall Putting my
hand on hts shoulder, asked him to ac-
company me to his private office. This
.once inside tire office. asked shank
70 let me have $50 Of the amount due me
In the settlement to come. Shank at
once began 70 berate me. using very harsh
Language He disputed that he owed me
Shank. surely you are not an migrate,
like some other fellows with whom have
dealt referring 10 the frequent loans
ITO this remark he Immediately replied:
I'u keep. what I've got. no matter how
y answered: You are tn. last man
that J expected to meet me with such
., Hardy ny, w. ss.a Y. ws,a: on. .,
my ereast as II to push me out Of the
YOU nor no other man shall talk to
me- this way In my own house
II was 80 astonished at hts actions. in
view OF our former friendly relations
tina. I =, nrst thought the man was
himself OF this statement than he pulled
hts gun, CANT say who Aired the first
shot, bu, distinctly remember tina, In
bullet whix past my head az | shot
His pistol barrel WAS in my face and I
attempted 20. knock Il down as fred
IA 10 the nrinE OF the subsequent shots
from my revolver have no recoiiec-
ton"
His story finished ranrdon's mind re-
verted TO his iT-vear-old daughter. about
whom he has frequently talked since the
homicide
u suppose her young life will be blight
ed" remarked Langdan. now that this
terrible thing has come upon me
Roth Men Well Known
Shank was one OF the best-known gam
biers IN Seattle lie first began business
In the Horseshoe. but whom the edlct was
issued that oil such resorts must 80 be-
low Ys.ier way the place WAS closed
Prior 60 the opening Of the Horseshoe he
conducted a gambling house and later a
lottery On Washington street About
two years ago he with " II Kennedy
opened the Horseshoe house. at lit occi-
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