Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-12
FIGHT OVER DOG
ENDS IN MURDER
HOLLYWOOD MAN HELD FOR
ROONEY CRIME
Deals Death Blow While Trying to
Save Cur From Injury Of
Friends Pet-Police Ar
rest Accused

p. G. Chapman was arrested in
Hollywood yesterday afternoon by De-
tecti YES Rico and Talamantes on the
charge of numbering John Rooney.
John Rooney dropped dead in O'Con-
ners saloon at First and Los Angeles
streets Saturday afternoon from the
effects of a blow on the back of the
head Chapman admits that he dealt
the blow while in a fight with Rooney
early Friday.
These are the startling developments
of what was supposed to be case
of death from alcoholism, according to
the police.
Contention arose over dogs owned by
the men, say the police, and Chapman
substantiates the statement.
Both men are residents of Hollywood
and close friends previously, so far
as the police can learn. The murder
Gus blow was struck while both par
ticipants in the quarrel were angry
Though Chapman will be detained
until the case has been investigated
further, it is understood that the police
have evidence which may clear him
and prove conclusively that he struck
the blow in self defense
Death FoiIs Police
While sitting at a table in a bar
room dC loo East f1rSL street, Rooney
lurched forward and fell on the floor.
This occurred about rs o'clock Satur-
day afternoon. A few minutes later,
Rooney while standing at the bar, fell
on the floor dead. The police made
a hasty examination of the man and
found only a slight abrasion on the
forehead.
Rooney was well known about the
district of Los Angeles where his death
occurred and his nickname was Cor
oner" OConner. From the examina-
tion made at the time of the death
and his former habits, the police ar
rived at the conclusion that Rooney
died from the effects of drink.
Hastily the dead mans remains were
removed to Pierce Brothers morgue
The bartenders in the saloon refused
to discuss the case. Coroner Trout
was notified late in the day and gave
orders that DIR. G. w. Campbell should
perform an autopsy as soon as possible.
Murder Is Discovered
Rooney was murdered That was
the message flashed over the telephone
; from DR.. Campbell early yesterday
morning to the detectives. Within a
few minutes the doctor had begun his
examination of the dead man he found
that the occipital bone at the base of
the skull was crushed in.
Detectives Rico and Talamantes were
rushed to Pierce Brothers morgue
where the autopsy was being held.
They We're shown that blow with a
dull instrument had caused the DEATH
After going over the body many times
in search of other marks, the officers
began the work of tracing the MUIR
derer.
When they arrived in Hollywood they
went to Rooney's house, near Highland
and Cedar streets. There they heard
IxNE 4.
At once they went to see Chapman,
who lives only a short distance away.
Does Not, Shield Himself
without the slightest attempt to
shield himself, Chapman acknowledged
to the officers that he had been impli-
Gated in trouble with Rooney on Fri
day. He admitted hitting the dead
man on the head with a spade and
made his explanation of the affair more
vivid by illustrating his acts. When
told that Rooney was dead, he ex-
pressed no surprise, but said that he
had heard it.
In company with the detectives Chap
man came to Los Angeles and here
he was again questioned. He told the
anne story as before. Chapman did
! not seem to realize the gravity of the
crime. He told the police that he is 5S
years old and said that Rooney was
about the same age.
So far as could be learned the men
have always been the best of friends.
Chapman said that they had and eX-
pressed the belief that the affair would
not have occurred had Rooney been
perfectly sober That was the only
blot Chapman urged against Rooney's
character.
Tells Story of Crime
Rooney came to my home Friday
morning." said Chapman. He was
| leading a dog. AS soon as L came
within hearing he told me that his
dog was going to fight with my dog.
as he did not like my dog. l told him
L did not want the dogs to fight and
said that | would not have it.
After some words the dogs began
to fight, L attempted to separate them
and Rooney showed me away. Then
we both grabbed for spade. I was
afraid Rooney would hit me with it
and began to struggle for possession.
In the struggle I secured it.
"Then 1 tried to separate the dogs.
Rooney interfered and would not let
me- ! hit him then with the spade.
He fell to the ground unconscious and
remained so for several minutes. Fin
ally l succeeded in parting the
animals and by that time Rooney was
ready to go. We said nothing on part
ing. He had come to my home and
ordered him away. He started trou-
BILE. That is the truth and all of it,"
Chapman's remarkable frankness leads
the officers to believe that he told the
truth. They have learned that he ap-
parently thought nothing of the fight
after it was over.
At the Rooney home it was learned
that he was ill that day and came to
Los Angeles early Saturday.
| Rooney was employed by Bert Morris
at Hollywood and Chapman by DR..
Russell. Both men are laborers and
have been respected.
| -
| A.:...I. "a kIo,., Nall