Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-04
Served Two Sentences
in the City
Jail
Believed to Have Also
Been Convict in
Arizona
Was Dressed as Holdup Man and
Had Weapons That Peaceful Citis
zens Do Not Use-Injured
officer Better

William Ross, the man who was shot
and killed by Patrolman Hoover of the
University substation after having shot
Patrolman G.. A. May in a duel early
yesterday morning at East Adams and
San Pedro streets, was positively iden-
titled yesterday as the man who sew
eral months ago served term of thirty
days in the city Jail on charge of
battery preferred by a woman with
whom he had been living but who de-
MED being married to him.
He is said also to have at one time
served a previous term in the city Jail
on a similar charge but under the name
of A. r. Berrey. This was several
years ago.
Yesterday 1t was reported to Patrol
men Murphy and Benedict that the
dead man at one time served term in
the Arizona penitentiary in a felony
charge, and the authorities of that state
will be communicated with in order to
learn the circumstances.
Had Burglars Paraphernalia
SO far none of the mans relatives
have called at Sutch's undertaking es-
about him, although hundreds of per-
sons visited that place yesterday.
According to the police Ross was
without doubt a tough character and
1t is thought he was on an expedition
for purposes of burglary when killed.
When searched at the undertaking es-
tablishment he was found to be wear
ing two outer shirts. The inner one
was white with a starched bosom. At
tached to 1t was a white celluloid col
lar of the stand-up variety and he also
wore a black necktie.
Outside of this the man wore a black
cotton shirt with a black collar at
tached This collar was turned up in
order to hide the white collar. BY lay
ing down this collar and rolling the
front of the shirt back, the mans ap-
pearance would be entirely changed
This is an old trick much used by
holdup men.
When stopped by the policemen the
man wore a black cap of the variety
so much worn by firemen, while in his
coat pocket was black felt hat. He
also carried large white handkerchief
which could be twisted so as to form
mask with little difficulty.
Had Two Weapons
Two weapons were found. One of
them was a 32-caliber American bull
dog revolver. The five chambers in
this gun had been loaded but two of the
bullets had been fired. This is the gun
which was used when the man shot
May and fired at Hoover. Sixteen
cartridges which fitted this revolver
were found in Ross coat pocket.
The second weapon was ten-inch
black jack, similar to the ones used by
"knock k-down-and- -drag-out" men. 1t
is loaded on the end with leather sack
containing about half pound of lead
bullets This is one of the worst Wea-
pons ever used by holdup man. Ii
victim is struck on any part of the head
with one of them 1t means as usual
thing, sure death. Few but the most
desperate crooks ever carry them and
the fact that Ross had 1t in his possess
sion is sufficient evidence to the police
that he was on the street for no good
purpose.
Immediately after the death of the
man Patrolmen Murphy and Benedict
were detailed on the case and were
sent out to learn what they could about
the dead man. Last night they reported
that they had gained some trace of his
movements during the last week.
Three nights ago he registered at the
Greater Los Angeles hotel on East First
street at William Ross Of Bakersfield
He only passed the latter portion of
the night IN tne room ne TenIeu anu
was not seen there after the next morn
ing. He carried no baggage at the
time.
x-Ray Used on Victim
Patrolman May is still at the Clara
Barton hospital and is doing as well
as could be expected. All day yester-
day physicians worked endeavoring to
locate the bullet which struck him. An
x-ray photograph was taken and Will
be developed today. 1t is thought the
bullet will thus be located and the ply
sicians will then be able to operate
successfully.
The bullet which was fired by May
struck him on the left collar bone and
then changed it's course, passing down
ward through his body. 1t was at first
thought he was suffering from internal
hemorrhages but last night the physi-
clans denied this.
Patrolman Hoover has been con-
graduated by his fellow policemen on
the nerve he displayed In the fight and
the grit he showed in the face of death
Had his aim waivered in the least and
Ross been given chance to fire a Sec
ond shot at him, 1t is probable he would
be occupying the place the robber is
filling.