The Indianapolis journal., 1904-01-17
PLAYS HOLD-UP WITH GUM
KILLS FRIEND IN SCUFFLE
Charles Hoffman, Prominent Con
tractor, Accidentally Causes
Death of Employe.
POINTS GUN AT MEN
Frank E,rtle Victim-Tried to
Snatch Revolver and Bullet
Enters His Body.

Charles II. Hoffman, a contractor, living
at Park avenue and Eleventh street, shot
and instantly killed Frank Ertle, one of his
employees, yesterday afternoon, in the home
of Richard Francis, at Park avenue and
Thirteenth street. The shooting was purely
accidental. and Mr. Hoffman is almost
prostrated with grief for his deed.
Mr.. Francis recently purchased the house
a Park avenue and Thirteenth street, and
Hoffman contracted to remodel it, While
his men were working in the house Hoffman
went into the bathroom on the second floor,
and, finding Smith & Wesson revolver ly-
ing OH the washstand, picked it up and
walked out to where his men were working.
have to throw up their hands, and jokingly
eral of his employees that they would all
have to throw up their hand, and jokingly
stated that he was pretty bold hold-up
man when armed to the teeth" Ertle was
painting some woodwork. and, turning
around, walked over to Hoffman, saying
that if he CHofman) were a robber he
would not be able to do much harm. Both
men were the best of friends, and both
were joking. Ertle grabbed the end Of the
revolver and threw Hoffman's arm down
toward the floor. In the friendly scuffle
which followed the weapon was discharged
physician was called at once but death re-
suited before any help could be given. The
body was removed to his home. lib East
Pratt street in a private ambulance.
HOFFMAN IS FRUSTRATED.
Mr. Hoffman yesterday, in speaking of the
sad affair, said that he could not imagine
how the weapon was discharged 1t was a
Smith & Wesson hammerless gun, with a
safety spring on the under part of the han
die. The revolver could not be discharged
unless the trigger was pulled and the safety
spring pressed at the same time. Hoffman
said that he and his men had been working
iii the house for some time and that n little
boy in the Francis home was playing around
the workmen with a toy pistol, making
them hold up their hands. Hoffman found
the revolver which had been left i'm the
bathroom by Mr.. Francis. He walked out
tC where the men were working and laugh
ingly commanded them TO hold up their
ands. Ertle, who was Hoffmans best
friend. in a joking way said he would dis
arm the hold-up man, and the struggle
which cost him his life began. Both men
We're tugging at the weapon, not thinking of
the danger of its being discharged. In some
way the trigger pulled and Ertle
dropped to the floor with the discharge OF
the revolver. dying a few moments later.
Coroner Tutewiler was called and directed
the removal of the remains. at the same
time making a personal investigation of the
case. He found that Hoffman was not 20
blame, as the shooting was purely acci-
dental, and notified Hoffman and the other
workmen who saw the fatal shot fired to ap-
pear at his office on Monday and give their
testimony. Ertle had been Hoffmans S closest
friend for years and the two men were al
most inseparable. Coroner Tutewiler said
last night that IL was not likely that any ar
rest would be made, as the case was with
out doubt an accident.
Ertle leaves a wife and several children
and his funeral will be held from his resi-
dence on Tuesday afternoon.