The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-10-14
Woman Shot as She
AlightS From a
Buggy.
Leaden MiSSiVe From Lovers
Weapon Ends Mrs. En-
gelberger'S Life.
Ernest N. Bales Says Shooting Was
Accidental and POliGa Believe
His Story.

Mrs. Annie Engelberger, divorced
woman, IS years old, swiftly bled to
death in front of her home, so Portola
street, shortly after 10 o'clock last
fects Of pistol wound which pierced
the femoral artery. Whether she was
shot to death by her lover, Ernest N.
Bales, or died as the result Of an acct
dent remains to be proved. Bales is in
custody and tells straight story of
accidental shooting, which the police
believe.
The death of the woman was tragic
as we'll as dramatic. She had been out
riding with Bales during the after
noon, and shortly after 10 o'clock the
couple returned to the woman's
home, where they had been living to-
gether for several months as husband
and wife.
According to. Bales tale Mrs.
Engelberger stepped out of the rig
and he was about to follow her when
his 45-caliber revolver fell from the
inside pocket of his overcoat and hit
the curbstone.
The weapon was discharged, the
bullet striking the unfortunate woman
in the femoral artery. She fell to
the ground with a shrek of pain and
Bales quickly ran TO her assistance.
A physician was summoned, but his
efforts to save the life of the woman
were futile, for she passed away in
haI
seriousness.
DR.. Louis c. Jacobs. a physician con-
nected with the German Hospital, was
the only person near the scene of the
shooting He was standing across the
street nearly opposite where the trag-
edy took place, and when he heard the
shot he fastened to the woman's as
sistance. DR.. Jacobs did not see how
it happened. He said:
Il was standing across the street
when the couple drove up and heard
the report of a revolver. I fastened
ito the scene and found the woman
lying in a pool of blood on her door
step with Bales standing over her. try
ing to stop the flow of blood with the
palm of his hand. She was uncon-
scious and failing rapidly.
I'VE took her inside the house and
made a hasty examination. / discov-
cred that the bullet had entered the
lower part of the abdomen, ranged up
ward and then made it's exit through
the lumbar region. Death was caused
from internal and external hemor-
rhages. The woman was too far gone
to make a statement and did not re-
gain consciousness"
The police at the Park station were
notified and Bales was taken there and
later to the Central station. He broke
down and wept like a child. The man
was visibly affected and presented a
pitiful sight as he sat in cell and
told the story of the tragedy.
I'VE intended to be married in a few
months" said Bales, land were discus
sing our wedding while out driving.
We were both in cheerful spirits when
we reached the house. Mrs. Engel-
berger alighted from the buggy first
and ] started to follow her. My gun
fell out Of the inside pocket of my over
coat and was discharged when it hit
the curb. The bullet struck Mrs. En-
gelberger in the abdomen. and she sank
back in a pool of blood. She tainted
away and died soon after the doctor
arrived on the scene
The police believe Bales story. They
have no evidence that he killed the
woman and no one ever knew Of any
quarrel occurring between them, al
though they have been living together
for many months. Bales is % years
old and a druggist by occupation. He
is out of work.
Mrs. Engelberger was divorced from
her husband, Emil, some time ago.
The latter tried to kill her at the fer
Try on November 6, 1903. Engelberger
was formerly employed by Tillmann &
Bendel and was considered man of
great promise. Mrs. Engelberger has
boy IA years old int the Boys and
Girls Aid Society Home.