The San Francisco call., 1908-03-24
OWN BULLET KILLS
ARCHITECT COPLN
Woman Companion Testifies
That Shot Came From
His Revolver
Weapon Was Discharged as He
AIighted TO Crank Car,
She Asserts

OAKLAND. March %. Fatally
wounded by 2 bullet shot through his
head from his own pistol. while out in
sn automobile last night with Miss
Annette Deaner. living at 1910 Linden
street ssiesweman recently en-
ployed by z. J. Sake. a picture dealer
al Telegraph avenue A Dodge Cop
lin. one of the leading architects OF this
city. died at Roosevelt hospital. Berke-
ley. at 5 o'clock this morning as a
result OF the injury. His companion
was prostrated most of today as a re-
suit OF the tragedy. which she said was
an accident. caused by the unforeseen
discharge OF pistol CcpIin carried in
his pocket. The fatality happened al
o'clock last night near Claremont
park. Berkeley
Miss Deaner and Coplin were return
ing from trip TO Contra Costa county
when the shooting occurred. Accord
ing to the young woman's story Coplin
had started 10 get out OF the machine
which he had stopped. when she heard
3 report and be fell to the ground. At
first Miss Deaner thought that the re-
port was from the muffier Of the auto
engine.
Runs FOR ASSISTANCE
When she realized that something
more serious had occurred she alighted
from wound in the head
Apparently Coplins pistol. which he
had put in his OvercOat pocket, had
fallen out as he stepping from the
machine. He was senseless and Miss
Deaner ran for help to the home of
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Turton, several
blocks away. There a message was sent
10 Roosevelt hospital at Berkeley, and
Dr. Arthur n Mcintosh responded
G0nltn rn
where he died.
DR. II. B. Mehrmann and DR.. Nc
Intosh, who held an autopsy, said
that their examination as TO the course
or the bullet the condition of the
wound and Of Coplin's overcoat. with a
bullet hole through the pocket con-
hrned Miss Deaner's account of the
shooting
Miss Deaner said at the inquest that
Coplin's pistol was on the step of the
car and the holster within few inches
OF the weapon. AS she described it
Soplin's position when he fell was with
MS feet resting on the machine step
and his body on the ground.
TELLS OF AUTO TRIP
About the time we reached the
tunnel on our return" she said Mr.
Copiin took out a revolver and trans
ferred it. 1 think. from an inside pocket
20 MS OkSIcOaL
We stopped IN Claremont. where we
could see the city lights. for about 10
minutes, after which he started to
get out of the machine to crank up.
he had to squeeze through the aper-
ture between the frame of the ton
which was raised, and the steering
wheel
II was narrow space, and as he
pushed through I heard report. saw
him pitch forward and then lie still
on his back At first ] believed the
report TO be from tire blowing out
but when I saw him motioniess I
Jumped over his body 20 the ground.
] lifted his head and spoke to him. but
ne did not answer me. and I saw the
blood flowing fast out of the wound in
his face. ran to the nearest house.
two blocks down the hill, where
found Mr. and Mrs. Fred Turton. who
assisted me back TO the scene and
called doctor"
Since his divorce from Mrs. Sarah
Lueia Coplin, prominent music
teacher, October Il. 1901, Coplin had
been man about town. Recently he
planned TO go east and closed his Of
hces in the Bacon ~0ck Mrs. Coplfn.
who secured the decree from her hus
hand on ground of cruelty, lives al
1890 Telegraph avenue. She refused to
say anything regarding the case.