El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-09-22
PROVOST SERGEANT IS KILLEDIN
CONEY ISLAND BY RANGER SANDS
Another Violent Death Is Added to List of Victims in Ell
Paso Saloon Sergeant Bierne Shot Twice After
Entering Saloon to Investigate Assault
Upon Another Sergeant
Bierne Doing His Duty.

the saloon they found Sergt. Bierne
lying on the floor dying from two bull
let wounds
Bierne Doing His Duty.
The injured man was hurried TO
Hotel Dieu where every effort was
made 10 save his life Witnesses were
Immediately gathered by the police
officers and the provost authorities and
taken 10 the police station. where their
evidence was taken and held by the
police until the preliminary hearing
this afternoon.
Much Of the testimony was heard
in front Of the Coney Island and in
the police station. however, and state
mems Of witnesses varied. AS far as
could be learned. Bierne had entered
the front door Of the saloon and was
going around towards the bar TO get
q drunken soldier when he was accOst-
ed by Sands some OF the testimony
states that in an effort TO protect him
self. Bierne struck Sands with his club,
while others declare that he did not.
Dead Mans Gun in Holster
A J. Hall and r Adams, who
were IN the saloon at the time, state
that they heard talking between the
two men. but as soon as the shooting
began, they left the bar The first
shot struck Bierne in the face about
half an inch to the left Of the corner
OF the mouth and another was fired
when ne struck the floor This bullet
entered the stomach and came out Of
the mans back. Sergt- Bierne was
armed with an automatic pistol but he
did not attempt TO reach it. according
TO the testimony. the flap OF the hoIs-
ter being found still buttoned when It
was taken from the body by Fred
Young, first sergeant Of the provost
guard
Soldiers Excited over Killing.
Sands was led out OF a back entrance
OF the saloon and taken to the office
Of Capt Lee Hall. at the police station.
He was later removed 10 the county
jail, large numbers OF soldiers gather
ing around the building and demanding
TO know where the ranger was. The
COney Island bar was closed immedi-
ately after the shooting and remained
closed for some time. a large crowd
gathering around the doors and making
II necessary for the police TO force them
TO move on JustfCe Of the peace J. NJ.
Deaver. who arrived at the saloon a
short time after the shooting. accom-
panied by deputy sheriff VIII Davis
suggested that the saloon be closed
until the excitement had Quieted down.
says Bierne Was UnOffensive.
R = Adams, Of Anthony. y NJ who
was the first witness 10 come before
Capt Lee Hall stated that he believed
Sergt Bierne was doing everything in
his power TO protect himself from the
ranger, who had drawn his gun II the
provost guard forced the fighting IL
was unknown TO Adams. he said Some
OF the witnesses also stated that Sergt
Bierne approached Sands with the in
tentiOn Of gaining information regard
ing the attack on Sergt- Arrathon and
was answered roughly by Sands. II
saw a soldier standing behind the bar
with his head covered with blood and
who seemed to have been hit with a
gun" said Adams. I also saw a pistol
leveled at the provost sergeant. who
seemed to be doing everything in his
power 10 keep Sands from shooting"
Bierne a Popular Soldier.
SergL Bierne has been q soldier over
% years and would have been retired