The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-11-29
Revenge the Object
Continued from page y

saw at hrst glance that the attorney
was dead and kept back the crowd
III curious clerks and employees who
had rushed into the corridor
Attorney Dolph said that Finch ap,
peared intoxicated though he carried
himself ereetly
Fisher toppled from his chair
when the bullet struck him and with
his knees doubled up and his head
dropped over, lay just as he had fall
len when Dr. Leonard found him,
From his position II Is evident that
he did not even turn around when
his slayer entered the office,
Three shots in all were fred. One
az these took effect. The bullet pass
ed through the brain Of Fisher and
embedded itself IN the wall several
feet away, Another bullet shattered
the piatcglass window facing IN Nor.
rison street and another went several
feet wild az It's mark and to the right
of Fisher as he SAT in his chair At his
desk. The gun was Of IS caliher
and az the Iver & Johnson make,
Several weeks ago Fisher received
an anonymous letter in a disguised
hand threatening his life Y his dill
rence IN the prosecution Of disbarred
members was not abandoned at once.
These letters were later turned over
to the police and an investigation
started These letters will now be
taken in charge by the coroner 20
be used later as evidence.
The tragic feature OF the Staying
Of Ralph n Fisher, chairman OF the
grievance committee Of the Oregon
State Bar Association here today by
IT. A. Finch. the disbarred lawyer
second only to the killing itself was
| the unexpected visit 10 Fishers Office
Of Mrs. Fisher. When Finch entered,
Fishers Office and with words,
"Hello, Ralph" on his lips, fred the
fatal shots, Fisher was waiting for
his wife and baby son Fishers body
Ihad been taken away from his office,
where the tragedy occurred, but
there were other ghastly evidences
apparent which conveyed 70 Mrs
Fisher that her husband had been
slain.
Fisher practieed law in this city
for four years, coming here from
Troy, Idaho, where he read law and
was admitted to the bar. His wife
was the daughter OF Thomas Kay
woolen manufacturer OF Salem
Fisher was 2S years old. He was
the man who drafted the resolution
Of sympathy TO Mrs. Francis ]
Heney that was sent by the Bar As
soeiation. Finch was born in this
state and studied law in Albany
while working for a newspaper. H'
was admitted to practice about eigh'
years ago, going almost Immediately
TO Salem and shortly after that com
ing to Portland
I Fisher conducted disbarment pro
ceedings against Finch which result
ed in his suspension for one year
and ii was Fishers refusal TO sign
petition urging Finch's reinstatement
that caused today's attack to b
made.
Finch was either out OF his MIND
when he shot Fisher or he is play
ling a deep gam. using his knowledge
Of the law to help him in his presen
dilemma. While asserting in the mos
emphatic language that he did no
see Fisher at all today. and eonse
quently did not kill him, he talk
perfectly frank on all other subjects
he does not plead forgetfulness, OF
the other hand when the officers VIII
examined him tonight declared Il
Finch that he had been seen Il
Fishers office and had been arrest
! ed in the Mohawk building, and othc
matters connected with the TRACED
he became very excited and toll
them they were damned liars" H
insisted that he is not insane. H
says that the news that he was dis
barred was great shock to him. H
denied that he had been drinking