The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-12-22
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and peritonitis, consequent upon and caused by a penetrating bullet wound, tho bullet causing the wound enter ed the lower left back and pierced the pelvis, large and small intestines and bladder.
 Inquiry showed that the deceased shortly after forcible election from the Keystone Club building ut No. 369 Water street, Bridgeport, about 2 a, m., Dec. Is, 1917, was found by Po- lice Officer Mccarthy of Bridgeport at Gilbert and Water streets, to be suf- fer1ng from a bullet wound in the back. The latter at once caused the wounded man to be taken to the emer- gency hospital for treatment, thence from that place he was removed to St.
 Vincent's hospital, where he died as shown.
 The Keystone club was a pseudo so- c1al club of colored men having drink ing, gambling, and cabaret attach ments, of low and unsavory charac- ter that catered to and was promiscu- ously patronized by whites and ne- groes of both sexes. The club con- ducted by one William Thomas (col- ored), better known as Baby Dolr' to It's habitues, enjoyed the distinction by the better informed as a danger ously immoral lure to young people as well as a Mecca for petty gamblers, thugs, and non-descipts of the under world.
 It was shown by the evidence taken In the case that in response to A
 complaint lodged at police head quarters by the friends of an injured patron of the place about 1:1o a. n.. Dec. 16. 1917. Sergeant Burns, accom- panied by Patrolmen Mccarthy and McNamara of the Bridgeport police department went to the club house aoout 1:30 a. m. and demanded ad- mission as police officers by knocking on the third or inner door of the hall way leading to the bar room. The admission sought for was bluntly and promptly refused by Doorrnan Harris by the direction of Thomas, who was then in the barroom. The refusal was accompanied by a volley of angry and Indecent abuse from Thomas. Who in loud tones said to the door keeper and the then present patrons that the police officers should not en- Ter unless they broke down the door and that if they entered he then, with pistol in hand, would blow their damned heads off. Upon hearing the threats mentioned, Sergeant Burns withdrew to the nearby sidewalk to arrange with his companion officers plan whereby admission could be gained to carry out the orders of their superior officers.
 After a few moments conference. the evidence showed, the officers heard the sudden opening of the inner hall door from within and saw the deceas- ed being violently pushed through it Into the outer hallway. At this Ser geant Burns bent upon obtaining ad- mission and that none of the appar- ently resisting inmates should es- cape, went hastily into the hallway towards the inner door and was in the act of pressing the deceased back and himself through the doerwav when shot was fired through. such door by waiter of the club, one Jake Hanklns, better known as Texas '' rom 8 sSz calibre revolver, the bullet entering the lower left back of tha deceased from the effect of which ne died two days later.
 Tine identity of 'ATexas,' as ba shot through the doorway. was shown by tne positive and unqualified testi- mony of Serg. Burns and Patrolman NdcNamara who had long known him ana #no was recognized by them through large fpeep-hole in such door as the time of the shooting:
 The evidence of one Williams and one Graves and others showed that 'FexaS possessed a pistol about the time and place of shooting. There was also some testimony showing that fired the shot that caused the death of the deceased and a great deal that showed Baby DolP' was heavily armed and that he not only supplied Texas with a pistol a, few moments before the shooting but en. couraged and directed him and his other employees and present barreom patrons te resist the police officers by threats and advice saying and urging them to Come on, come on, shoot and kill the bastards"
 The evidence further fairly showed that by reason of the violent abuse threats. and acts of "Baby Doll'' and his friends against the exercise by the police their lawful duty a scene of regTettable disorder and public dan- ger ensued, in and about the place and locality named before quiet was restored and the disturbing elements r1aand in Z
 In the circumstances from consid- eration of the positive statement of the police officers as well as the cor evidence of other witness es, am convinced that because of the unlawful attitude, behavior en- couragement. and speech of Baby Dolr' in the presence of Texas and others in defying the authority of the police and the effect thereof resulting in the probable shooting of the de- ceased by Texas" if not by Thomas himself I am justified in assuming Thomas and Hanizins as principals or accessories to each other responsible for the death of the deceased hence so believing, I find the deceased came to his death at the time, place and cause shown as the result of the act of William Thomas and Jake Hankins.
 A copy hereof is transmitted to States Attorney Cummings and to Prosecuting Attorney Delaney for such action as is by law provided. .
 The witnesses examined were: Of ficer James Burns, William Means, No 67e South Main street; Officer Sher- wood, Officer Arnolsky, Officer Ed. J. Mccarthy, Gerold Doud, Colony street, Meriden; Howard Mclean, No. 1898 Fairfield avenue; James H. Graves No. 105 Beardsley street; Herbert Smith, No. IT Drouxe street; Officer