Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-31

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i. charge the said Barbee S. Hook 7
Z with nansIauehter." +
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After thorough investigation at
the undertaking rooms of John II. Paul,
on Downey avenue yesterday morning
this verdict was returned by a coroner's
jury at the inquest over the body of
Margaret Birtwistle, the young woman
who was struck and hurled through
the air by an automobile driven by
Barbee S. Hook, Sunday afternoon, and
who died several days later at the
Good Samaritan hospital.
Following the verdict Young Hook
shook hands with the coroner and, ac-
companied by two friends, returned to
the city in an automobile leaving his
address with the coroner in case anyone
should swear out the complaint of man
slaughter against him.
The charge was turned over to Depu-
ty District Attorney James, who, after
a conference with Coroner Trout, de-
cided that the charge should be looked
into, and a warrant for the arrest of
Hook was issued.
Detective Frank Benedict swore to
the complaint and a telephone message
was sent to Judge Hunsacker repre-
senting Hook.
Gives Bail in $2500
Hook appeared at the police sta
tion short time later, accompanied
by Attorney Britt. Detectives Bene-
dict and Leon met him in the hall and
read the complaint to him. He bowed
to the detectives and proceeded to the
court room.
H. W. Hellman and w. H. Holiday
appeared as bondsmen and signed for
$2500. The preliminary examination
was set for Friday morning, April 7.
At the inquest yesterday morning, a
crowd of residents of the east side
thronged the inquest room and listened
eagerly during the taking of the evil
dence. Many were standing on their
tip toes in an effort to see the young
millionaire and his companions.
Several witnesses to the accident were
called and gave fair idea of the rate
of speed of the auto. An engineer as
serted that the machine must have
been going at rate of not less than
thirty miles an hour.
Miss frankie Babler, one of the
young women who was in the automo-
bile, was called to the stand and testi-
IN fha 90
and the position of the occupants in the
auto. Following her evidence, the mo-
torman of the car, upon which the un-
fortunate woman had been a passen-
ger, was called. His testimony was
relative to the speed of the machine.
Said Auto Ran Away
ut was going so fast at the time I
saw it," said the witness, that re-
marked to the passengers that the au-
tomobile was running away"
Barbee Hook, the driver of the ma
chine and the son of the late millionaire
owner of the Traction company, gave
the chief testimony in his own behalf
His evidence was straight-forward and
he made good impression upon the
jury.
I'VE had been taking a little ride out
towards Pasadena and were just re-
turning when the accident occurred" he
said 1--WE were running at a moder-
ate rate of speed and were passing the
car, when suddenly the girl appeared
within eight feet of the machine. She
ca oil 4,>I
her that I saw there was no chance to
stop, and / turned the machine into
the gutter, wrecking it and hurting the
occupants about. L cannot imagine
why Miss frankie Babler, who was in
the machine at the time, escaped in
jury, as we were all roughly jostled.
Her sister, Miss Esther Babler, was
injured and is now at the California
hospital.
I'VE had had a drink or two but
were far from being under the in
fiuence of liquor at the time of the ac-
cident,"
Thomas Rife a mining and real es-
tate man, who occupied a seat In the
tonneau of the automobile at the time
of the accident. then took the stand.
Each Took Few Drinks
"How much whisky was consumed
by the party from the time of leaving
Los Angeles until the time Of the ac-
asked the foreman of the
jury. !
I'VE had half pint flask in the ma
chine and drank it Immediately after I
leaving the city We bought the liquor Z
at Pasadena on previous trip" re-
sponded Rife.
Where did you get the liquor in Pa /,
sadena? / thought the town was pro-
was the next query. The !
was embarrassed and the ques- !
ton was allowed to pass unanswered.
1--WE bought second flask at Ar
eadia and each member of the party
had taken one drink apiece prior to /,
the accident" said Rife.
With the testimony of a few others