The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-07

OF OSCAR
STEINBACH
Coroner Lincoln Begins the In
quest Into the Murder at the
What Cheer Brewery.

Coroner Eugene Lincoln began yester-
day the inquest into the death OF Oscar
steinbach. SHOT and killed at the What
Cheer brewery by Frederick Hoffman.
Patrick Trainor. the Cranston police
Official who captured Hoffman. was the
first witness He told OF his search
about the pond for Hoffman. and his
walk up Fenner avenue and the discovery
OF Hoffman on the Davis farm and his
chase OF the fugitive.
When he was two OF three feet away
the man turned around and pointed his
gun straight at him. He struck the
hand holding the pistol, which was at
once discharged, and the bullet grazed
his cheek officer Trainor knocked the
man down and he fired another shot that
grazed the officers lip. Mr.. Trainor
then took away the gun after strug-
gle and decided from the description
that he had the man wanted
He fired four shots from his own re-
volver as a signal. but no one came, so
he put his twisters on the prisoner and
took him down 90 Molter's brewery.
The next witness was Henry A. Molter,
an eye witness OF the shooting. He said
The help quit at O'Clock. and about
three minutes after that I was told by
Henry Mannschott that Hoffman had a
revolver. I went out to him and asked
II ne had one. He did not give salts
factory answer. I took him by the arm
and told him 10 go home. AS he went
through the shed connected with the
brewery, we heard some one call. Os-
car Steinbach said, Hoffman, l want 20
speak TO you He was just coming up
the steps. told Stelnbach to go back
and would take care OF Hoffman. Stein
bach persisted in asking 10 talk to Hoff-
man. Then Hoffman jumped away from
me. drew his revolver and said, Go back.
Then he fired.
"The first SHOT did not hit steinbach
Steinbach stepped toward him. and Hoff-
man stepped forward and fired again
The shot hit Steinbach In the face, and
he fell forward at my feet. Hoffman
pulled his revolver up again, and 1 walk
ed backward and told the others 10 get
out of the way as he might shoot again
went down the steps to get out OF the
way, and when l went back they saiC
| he had gone out of the door. l went tC
/ Stetnbach right afterward. He lay face
| downward, with his head on one arm
| Blood was flowing from a large hol
In his head. He was living, but neve
spoke
! The witness described the condition o
Ste!nbach after the shooting and tn
coming OF the ambulance. Witness di
not know of any trouble existing be
tween Steinbach and Hoffman. Hoffma
had been drinking. but he was not drunk
He could talk and walk all right. MI
| Molter never knew OF Hoffman threaten
ing Stetnbach or anyone else before. II
was not known TO carry n revolver.
Huburt Horsch testified to seeing tn
shooting. his evidence corroborating MI
Molter
Hoffman appeared nervous. and wa
working both hands I'm his pockets. Mr
| Mannschott came in, and the witnes
spoke to him on the quiet, saying tina
Hoffman must have a revolver wit
| him. He told Mr.. Molter TO come ou
and see about n. Steinbach came by
and said a few words the witness coul
not understand Hoffman showed hi
teeth, and assumed a threatening att
tude. looking toward Steinbach. The
he raised his revolver and fired. Fiv
or six seconds afterward the witnes
heard steps as OF a struggle and Hofrma
shot again. Stenhnch was about six O
seven feet away, a,.l ne fell The wit
ness never knew of any trouble betwce
Hoffman and Steinbach, except n fe-
words occasionally. Hoffman. the wi,
ness said, would never take a Joke II
had funny ideas. and always though
someone wanted to harm MIN. He di
not appear drunk at the time OF III
shooting, though he had a few drinks.