Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-06-25
VICTIMS OF A Gun.
Cappy" Hoffman of Davenport
Shoots John Esberg and
Paul Ross.
SUNDAY MORNING TRAGEDY
Contrary to Runnor, Hoffman Never
Lived in Rock Island - Esberg
Died Instantly from Bullet Wound.

what was first supposed to be 4
cold blooded murder in Davenport
about 2:15 Sunday morning on the
part of "Cappy" (Edward) Hoffman
now seems to have developed an ele-
ment of self-defense from his two vie
TINS, John Esberg and Paul Ross. Els
berg died almost Immediately and Ross
was taken to a hospital, where he is
still lingering between life and death.
Hoffman made his escape, but is being
hunted by the police.
The tragedy occurred at the corner
of Leonard and Marquette streets, in
the vicinity of Washington garden,
where all had been in attendance at a
Saturday night dance. Esberg and
Ross were escorting Miss Frieda Ack-
ermann. who resides at 11S Western
avenue, and Mrs. T.. Ross, 900 West
Third street, who claims to be sister
in-law of the injured man. Miss Flor
ence MINER, who lives at 216 Gaines
street, was with Hoffman The young
women say that they remained on the
sidewalk and can not recite all of the
details of the affray, but what informa-
ton the police have is from them, and
it is understood that they are practic-
ally agreed upon what they do tell.
Victims the Aggressors.
The story of the beginning told in a
few words is that it was up to Hoffman
to get whipped, run, or shoot. He shot
1t is said that as the three couples left
the garden Esberg and Ross indicated
hot nhn 70 int ny-fn 4,
Hoffman and the young lady with
him by separating them Words were
passed, and it is also reported. al
though not with absolute certainty
that Hoffman was struck by one of the
aggressors. ''Cappy' pulled his gun,
firing two shots. One pierced Esberg's
heart and the other hit Ross in the
stomach. An officer heard the shot
and thought someone was beginning an
early celebration of the Fourth of July,
as is oftentimes the custom at some of
these dances. When he saw Hoffman
running he came to a different conclu-
close to Hoffman that the officers bet
ter judgment prevented him from try
ing to stop him with gun.
Never Lived Here.
On account of the fact that there is
an Edward Hoffman in Rock Island,
the rumor gained currency here Sunday
morning that it was he who did the
shooting, but those who took the time
to investigate found him at his post as
a barber while the police were scour
ing the three cities for the other one.
The young man involved in the case
is a son of Squire Hoffman of Dav-
export and has always borne a good
He resides on Seventh and
Division streets.
With reference to reputation, the di-
TO the two victims. Both have police
records, one having been in court a
short time ago charged with being i'm
plicated in saloon robbery, and the
other was in about year ago, charged
with bun slary of a store. 1t is said that
they belong to the same class of young
men who started the trouble that end
ed in a first class row on Suburban
island two weeks ago. 1t is reported
here that Ross was confined in the
Rock Island county Jail for a time.
An inquest was held over Esbergs
remains this morning, but it is report
ed he has no relatives who have par
ticularly interested themselves in the
case thus far. All of the young men
are about 20 or 81 years of age.