The San Francisco call., 1903-12-01
JAYy PRISONER HID
NO CRUISE TO SHOOT
UitneSS RecOuntS
Details Of the
Tragedy.
GiUeS Testimony
at Her Room
in Hotel.

Mrs. Lillian Hitehcock-C Colt. in whose
presence Major ]. w McClung was
fatally shot last Wednesday afternoon
by Alexander Garnett while in Mrs.
Colts apartments at the Palace Hotel,
was sufficiently recovered yesterday to
give her deposition to Coroner Leland
DR.. de Vecchi. Mrs. Colts physician.
informed Coroner Leland yesterday
that while his patient would not be
able to attend the inquest to-day. it
would be possible to take her deposit
tion.
/ Coroner Leland, accompanied by his
stenographer, went to the rooms Of
Mrs. Colt yesterday afternoon. Dis
trict Attorney Byington was also pres
ent at the taking of the testimony OF
Mrs. Colt and her attorney, H. Cres-
well, was also in the room to watch his
clients interests.
Mrs. Colt did not hesitate in giving
her evidence and the manner in which
she told Of the tragedy that took place
in her presence was candid and con-
yincing.
The testimony was taken in the room
in which Garnett fatally shot Major
| McClung. Mrs Colt was in bed. but
she sat up while answering the ques-
tions Of Coroner Leland and District
Attorney Byington.
AT times she betrayed the nervous
strain under which she was suffering,
/ but she braveIy went through the or
deal of the examination.
POINTED OUT LOCATIONS.
In answering the questions of the
! Coroner and District Attorney Mrs.
Colt illustrated her evidence by point
ing out the locations in the room where
Garnett and his victim stood at che
time OF the tragedy last Wednesday.
/ Save for the darkened electric light
/ that hung over the Head OF the bed
upon which Mrs. Colt reclined, the
apartment was in semi-darkness while
the investigation was held A trained
nurse was in the room, but her SER
vices were not required during the two
hours occupied in taking the testimony
of the only eyewitness to the killing
of Major McClung by Garnett.
While the evidence of Mrs. Colt did
not differ materially from the state
ment she made to Detective Byram on
l lue ulSnl Ol the SIDOLlnS IL DLOu5nL CUT
one prominent fact that will be difi-
cult for Garnett to explain away.
Mrs. Colt yesterday stated more than
once that Garnett had pulled a revolver
from his vest before Major McClung
ever laid his hands on the man who
I afterward took his life
Garnett on the night Of his arrest
claimed that McClung had tried to
throw him out of Mrs. Colts apart
ments, that he drew his revolver to de-
/ fend himself and that the weapon ex-
pIoded in the struggle. Mrs. Colt fatty
| contradicts this statement. After be-
/ ing sworn by Coroner Leland Mrs. Colt
gave her name, and she was then asked
to recount the shooting of McClung
by Garnett-
GARNETT'S EYES BLAzED-
1T was last Wednesday" she said.
about o'clock in the afternoon. Ma
ior AIcClung was visiting me. He
brought me a message from his wife.
We were seated in this room. I had
my back to the door. The door was
slightly open leading into the hallway
Of my apartments.
Major McClung suddenly smiled and
said. Here is Garnett.' 1 turned and
saw Garnett standing in the doorway.
He had his hat on and his overcoat on
his arm.
Garnet came into the room. and
said 10 him, What do you want2 He
had a most fearful expression on his
face and would not have known him
had I net him on the street His eyes
were blazing and ne had his teeth
/ clenched. When he came in said.
We'll. I am here.
He did not answer me when spoke
to him and told him he was drunk and
to go away. but he told Major McCIung
to leave the room. 1 told the major
not to do so. as I resented Garnstts
insult TO my guest. Garnett again told
the major to leave the room. but
again asked the major to remain
sI then told Garnett that he could
not remain. as was going TO dress for
dinner. and / again asked him what he
wanted. He then said, I am here for
an apology
SLAYER DREW HIS PISTOL
Coroner Leland-Where did Garnett
stand at this time?
Mrs Coit-He was standing just IN
side the door and the major and my
self were standing in the middle or the
room near the center table.
Coroner Leland-What took place
then?
Mrs. Coit-Something that Garnett
said or did caused Major McClung and
myself to approach him. 1 cannot re-
member just what it was. 1t may have
been the act of Garnett closing the door