Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-15
BULLETS FLY IN
CROWD; ONE SHOT
Enraged Negro Runs Amuck in
Spring Street and Fatally
Wounds ByStander
BEATEN DOWN BY 0NLOOKERS
Black, Infuriated in a Religious
Discussion, WieIds Revolver
ViciousIy

Becoming enraged while arguing over
religion. Benjamin Shepherd, negro
rubbish hauler living in West Temple
street ran amuck yesterday afternoon
shot and probably fatally wounded Glo-
vanni Simoni. an Italian working on
the auueduct and endangered the
lives of an excited crowd of people IN
Spring street between Fourth ana
Fifth.
When overpowered after a long
struggle with officers and pedestrians
Shepherd flung his revolver on the
street disdainfully and declared ne
would "get his enemies yet"
The trouble started in an alley open
ing in Fifth street between Main ana
Spring streets. Shepherd was talking
with several negroes on religious queS-
tions when one of the men contrad1cted
his views. Without warning the negro
drew revolver and began fiourishlng
it in the air, declaring he was ready
to shoot the next man who was look
ing for an argument.
Frank Dunham, a deputy constable,
happened to be passing at the time
and he demonstrated with Shepherd.
The negro told him to mind his own
business and pointed his revolver at
the COnSldUle. Dullllcilli L OH sAiio ie1AHSN-
an alarm. The next instant Shepherd
sped down the alley toward Fifth
street, waving his revolver and de-
flying anybody to cross his path.
POLICEMAN GIVES CHASE
When the negro turned into Fifth
street Crossing officer A. Arguello,
stationed at Fifth and Main, gave
chase. He followed the negro down
to Spring. Shepherd turned north, but
found his progress blocked by the
crowded sidewalk. Suddenly he bolted
across the street and jumping into a
standing automobile, begged the chauf-
feur to place him beyond the reach
of his pursuer.
While the negro was arguing with
the chauffeur Arguello reached the au-
tomobile. With his fist he knocked
Shepherd clear out of the front seat
to the street. The deSperado, however,
managed to hold on to his revolver
and when tie officer tried to jump on
him and pin him to the street he COM
menced shooting at him. Seeing his
peril, Arguello took refuge behind the
machine. The negro fired five shots
at him.
Meantime an immense crowd had
gathered and was closing in on Shep-
herd. AS the desperate fired his last
shot which struck Simoni, who was
passing on the opposite side of the
street, an unknown man caught Shep-
herd a singing blow with his fist be-
hind the ear, dropping him to his
knees The next instant scores pounced
on Shepherd and undoubtedly would
have taken summary vengeance an
him had not several cooler heads
dragged the negro to his feet and held
him for the arresting officers. AS Of
ficer Arguello grabbed him by the
throat and pinned him against the side
of the automobile the revolver fell from
Shepherds fingers and he muttered a
curse on his enemies"
ONLY ONE WOUNDED
While Shepherd was being held
awaiting the arrival of the police pa
troll, the wounded Italian was carried
bleeding, into Spring street tailor
shop. At 4e same time report
spread that an occupant of an office
on the third floor of the Anderson and
Chanslor building had been wounded
by the flying bullets. Though one of
the balls did pierce a window in one
of the upper stories of the building,
it was learned that no one was injured.
When Simoni reached the receiving
hospital he was in precarious con-
dition. 1t was found that the bullet
had entered the left lung, which was
bleeding profusely The injured man,
who lives on San Fernando street,
probably will die.
An investigation of Shepherds record
following his arrest revealed that he
passed three years in the Alabama
asylum for the insane. He came to
Los Angeles after being discharged as
cured. Here he worked steadily and
he now owns a home in West Temple
street. He showed no signs of mental
arrangement until a few weeks ago,
when his old delusion that white men
were bent on lynching him took pos
session of him once more. Associates
were unable to convince him that he
was noiSta ka0