The Washington times., 1905-09-10
SUBCONTRACTOR
SHOT THREE TIMES
BY HIS ENEMY
Inspector at New Marine
Barracks Sought
Revenge.
E. GICHNER THE VICTIM
Man Under Arrest Is John F.
Beach-Had Quarreled
Several Times.
E. GICHNER THE VICTIM

Animated solely by desire for re-
yenge, John +. Beach inspector of the
work on the new Marine Barracks, fred
three shots into the body of Ernest
Gichner, one of the subcontractors on
the work. about o'clock yesterday aft
ernoon-
Gichner is now at the Providence Hos
pital and will probably die. Beach was
captured directly after the shooting and
was locked up in the Fifth precinct po-
lice station.
For some time i'll feeling has existed
between the two men, and on Friday
they came 10 blows, Beach retiring from
the passage at fisticuffs with a badly
battered head. 1t was thought. how
ever. that a truce had been declared
and yesterday afternoon Beach and
Gichner were alone together in the little
temporary Office on the site of the new
barracks
The first warning of a pending trae-
edy was the sound OF revolver shots
coming from the shack An instant
later Gichner dashed out the door and
along the arcade at the barracks, with
Beach close behind him Terror lent
wings TO the contractors feet, and al
| though three bullets had already found
two bullets remaining in Beach's re-
volver, which the latter sent flying
after him. He ran to the end of the
arcade and then tumbled in a heap at
the door OF the guardhouse.
Shoot Without Warning.
As Gichner told the story to Ma
rines at the barracks, he was bending
over a blue print in the little Office
when, without moments warming
Beach crspt to drawer. and pulling
a rs Iver Johnson revolver from its
hiding place, leveled the weapon and
pulled the trigger thrice
The first shot entered Gichner's left
breast, and as he wheeled and made
for the door. another shot was fred,
which took effect in his left side. Just
as he jumped through the door d third
bullet hit him squarely between the
shoulders. Reaching the open. the ter
ror-stricken man turned up the arcade
but his relentless pursuer foIlC'wed
and pulled the trigger OF his gun a
fourth time This time his aim was
bad. the bullet striking a pillar a
snort distance away from the door. His
fifth and Ast shot was also wide of
its mark, nattening itself out on
large iron bathtub in the passageway-
Gichner continued to run until he
reached the end of the arcade, where he
fell at the entrance to the guardhouse.
After the shooting Beach ran back
into the Office and placed the revolve.
IN the bottom drawer or his desk, whs-e
il was found later and turned over 10
the police. The inspector then wa...ed
to the door. and after glanclng at the
victim OF his wrath, walked over 10
Capt. =. NJ. Gullick. of the marine ser
vice, who had been attracted 10 the
scene by the reports OF the pistol, and
told him that he was going 10 give him
self up 10 the police.
Placed in Guard House.
Captain GuiIick did not wait for the
man to give himself up to the police
hut had him placed In the guard house.
where he was held until Sergeant Mont
somery and Bicycle Policeman Spring
man. Of the Fifth precinct. arrived on
the scene. and taking charge OF the pri-
sone-, removed him 10 cell in No }
sta;ionhouse. charge OF assault with
deadly weapon was lodged against the
| prisoner. pending the result OF his ,lc-
tins injuries.
Policeman Springman sent the injured
! man 70 the Marine Hospital. bur IIDon
/ the hospital authorities there learni-p
4 that he was not marine he vas sent
I 10 the Providence Hospital There his
| Injuries were examined and dressed
! The examination proved that the wound
4 in the left side was the most serious
I or the three received. and Was the on.
that would most Likely cause death The
! other Two wounds are nor copsid.-.,
very serious.
When Policeman Sprlnepap ,,1a.oa
! Beach under arrest he denIed - -
gun found In the drawer OF the des,r
belonged 10 him. When asked 10 whom
! IL did belong he said that he did no,
know. After being placed in the cell AT
the station house he refused TO speak
OF his crime 10 anyone. saying thar he
would await advice from his ;eople
| His brother visited him shortly after.
and when he left Beach said that he had
( been advised not 10 talk This WIS an
\ he would say. The only statement ne
/ was heard 10 make was TO address Po-
liceman Springman. when the latter
visited him in his cell shortly after MAX
4 ing the investigation. He asked: .'Vhera
| did / hit him. After the officer told
him, he refused to speak further.
Row on Friday.
The investigation following the shoot
] Springnan, who thoroughly looked nm
the whole affair. He learned that last
| Friday TIE two men had had some
words. and the inspector had called the
contractor some name at which the lat
ter took ofrense and struck him over the
head with stick Of wood. From men