The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-04

the man was really dead, and on being
assured that Jennings was dead, he
directed that the body be carried to
the undertaker'S. Before it was re-
moved, however, he personally select
ed jury from the crowd and directed
them to view the remains. Then lead
ing the way to his own office nearby,
he held an inquest.
The testimony was brief and clear.
Three leading citizens testified that
Red Jennings had come down the
street in southerly direction and had
met HapgOod, the editor, near the cor
ner, walking to the north. AS soon as
he saw the editor, Jennings had pulled
his gun and fired without warning, as
he had previously proclaimed that he
would do.
Being prompt, he succeeded in firing
twice before the editor had brought
his own weapon into play and in emp
tying his revolver entirely before he
died. None of his shots took effect,
owing probably to the fact that he was
not entirely sober, whereas the editor
had aimed very deliberately and had
hit his man both times he fired, killing
him instantly with his second bullet.
Jennings was really drunk" said
Cap'n Rogers, one of the witnesses,
"havin' been drove to drink the day be-
fore yesterday by the last article in
the Gazette but this, not appearing
to the coroner to be of the nature of
relevant testimony, was not entered on
the record.
After taking down a sufficiency of
the evidence the coroner turned to a
constable who was in attendance and
bade him go and fetch -,Hapgood to
court. 1t had not seemed to occur to
anyone that he might possibly have
| fled, and it seemed matter of course
that he should presently come in, not
with the bearing or appearance of a
| prisoner, but rather of a spectator
| present by invitation.
The jury meantime had retired, and
| in about half an hour returned with a
verdict that Red Jennings had come to
| his death from a gunshot wound in
| f1icted by Walter Hapgood, and further,
| that Walter Hapgood had shot him in
the defense of his own life.
There is no reason, Mr.. HapgOod -
said the coroner, after the verdict had
| been recorded, why 1 should hold you
in custody, but I shall be obliged to
ask you to sign bond to appear be-
fore the grand jury In case any fur
| Their action shall be taken in the mat
/ ter" The coroner was a great stick
! Ter for forms and fees.
1t was done, and so far as Hapgood
could realize at the time, the incident
was closed. He had made his record
and was less likely to be shot at again.
He had an uneasy feeling, however,
! that he had lost, rather than gained
popularity, and within the twenty four
| hours he had proof that this was true,
at least with certain persons in the
| community.
For the remainder of the day-it was
not yet noon when the coroner had
concluded his official acknowledgement
was uneasily conscious that he had had
an experience which he could never
forget, and was enduring consequences
| which he could never shake off. He
| felt no self-condemnation, but on the
contrary was inclined to praise him
self for having played the man, but
there was an undertaking of pity for
himself rather than for his victim. and
a regret that he had stained his hand
with blood.
He tried to shake off the feeling
| but could not. He wrote three editor