Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1903-11-11
MURDEROUS D[EDO ID CUFF.
COMMITTED At CLOSE OF THE.
ATER At WALLACE, IDAHO.
Dr.. w. S. Simms, a Weil.known PLY.
siclan Of the Coeur d'Alenes, fell
Dead at First shot-cuff Was Killed
by Officer Quinn-Two Others Are
Wounded.

Wallace. Idaho, Nov. 10.-The cur.
tain had just gone down on James
Neill's production Of "A Gentleman of
France" and the first Of q large audi
ence had just started to 60 out from
the main door of the Masonic opera
house, when Ed Cuff appeared at the
foot Of the stairs and commenced fir
ing into the crowd with rife. DR..
W. S. Simms, one of the best known
physicians in the Occur d'Alenes, fell
dead at the first shot.
AS Gun continued his murderous
fire. George Parish fell with bullet
in his leg, and Chief Of Police McGov-
ern was struck in the wrist with a bull
let. Deputy Sheriff Frank Rose and
Night officers Quinn returned the fire,
but Cuff escaped injury at the first
round.
Quinn then leaped over the lifeless
body Of Simms, ran to the east Of the
building and broke through q door.
Then Cuff appeared, backing away
from the main entrance with his rife
pointed at the crowd. He was intent.
ly watching the entrance and shoot
ing, and did not observe Quinn. The
night officer opened up with his six
shooter, the two remaining shots tax.
ing effect. Cuff fell to the ground and
died within 10 minutes.
The cause Of the shooting was
trivial affair. Gun was spectator Of
the performance and insisted upon
smoking. Deputy Sheriff Rose. the the.
ater officer, ordered him to desist. He
refused, but later, when threatened
with election IL he persisted, he left
the house. The officers heard that he
was attempting to find gun. and were
watching for him. AS he did not re-
turn during the performance. they
thought his threats were Idle.
The first to come out were Rose.
Quinn and McGovern, while behind
them in the crowd came Simms and
Parrish. One Of the first bullets pass
ed through the shoulder Of Roses
coat. Simms was struck in the head
with one of the bullets that passed
over the shoulders Of those In front
and then bullet struck Parrish In the
leg. 1t Is q miracle that Cur escaped
injury at first. for all three officers
were firing at him. He had prob
ably backed away so feet when Quinn
shot him.
Cuff ia a veteran of the Philippine
war, having gone there with the Idaho
regiment. Since his return he has
been engaged in mining and prospect
ing. and has always been known as a
Jealous fellow. He was about IS years
old and unmarried. Nothing Is known
of his family.
DIR. Simms has been a physician and
surgeon in the Occur d'Alenes since
the early SOS.
Parrish. who was shot. is head book.
keeper for White & Bender. His
wound is not serious. McGovern, who
was hit in the wrist. has been In charge
of the police force for q number Of
years. He, Quinn and Rose are known
as fearless officers.
When the shooting commenced the
large audience was terror stricken and
stampeded In the foyer. The whole af-
fair lasted but a few minutes. 1t Is
believed that Cuff had q confederate.
for some one saw a man rush from be-
hind wood pile and hide short dis
tance to the west Of the main en-
trance. He was seen to have q gun.
McGovern Is satisfied that such Is the
case and feels certain that this un-
known man shot him. There is no clue
to his identity. Wallace is wild with
excitement.