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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (April 4, 1905)
THE MORNING OKEGOSTA2s TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1905. 16 FELON IN CELL Slayer of Edna-Hoffman Is Captured. TRIES TO KILL HIMSELF Slashes His Throat With a Razor. HE CONFESSES HIS CRIME John Coleman, After His Arrest, De clares That Ho Will Yet Cheat the Gallows by Com mitting Suicide. COIEMAN MURDER CASE. John T. Coleman confesses to tho murder of Edna Hoffman, which oc curred at 1 o'clock Sunday mornlns In a roam above the Palm faloon. At the Coroner's Inquest the test! niony or witnesses Is Tieard, and a graphic story of tho fceno of the crime and the flight of tho murderer Is told by Bartender Edward McSweeney. The latter believes that Coleman meant to Mil John Furcy. of whom he was Jeal ous, as he went Into Furey's room im mediately after killing the woman. Mc Sweeney was following him closely, how ever, arid tho murderor ran out Into tho street. The Jury holds Coleman respon sible for the murder. Coleman la captured at Chehalls, TYadh., thrice attempts to commit sui cide, but la saved from death. Is return ed to Portland and lodged In the County JaU. where Iks is bound to ht cot and kept under guard. When a corner's jury was listening:. to testimony at the inquest into the murder ' r -pvinn Hoffman last night, in an cn- 1 deavor to fix upon the guilty person the responsibility for the woman's death, John T. Coleman lay on a cot in the Coun ty Jail and to an Oregonlan reporter made a full confession o the crime. "Yes, I killed her," said Coleman, with .as much emphasis as a man can com mand who has thrice attempted to take his own life by slashing his throat with a razor. "I might as well admit it." he continued. "I killed her, and 111 kill my self, too. before I'll hang." Murderer Bound to Cot. Coleman, the self-confessed murderer, spent last night in the County Jail, bound securely to the cot upon which he slept. This precaution was necessary as he has thrice attempted to take his own life, and has sworn to attempt It again. Coleman arrived from Chehalls at 7 o'olock last night, in the custody of De tectives Kerrigan and Snow, who had charge of the case. He was accompanied by Tr. G. W. Kcrinlcoth, of Chehalls, in whose hospital Coleman was operated upon after his first attempt at eulclde. The prisoner was Immediately removed 4o the County Jail in an ambulance. Coleman has confessed that he mur dered Edna Hoffman, and has also told the detectives how he escaped from Port land. Confesses His Crime. "I followed Edna Hoffman to Portland hMUMisn T loved her." he said. "While she was sick In Spokane I took care of her. but after she recovered she left me and went to Portland. I followed her and. Anally located her early Sunday .morning. I asked her to go back to Spo kane with me, and she laughed at me and refused to do so. Then the bartender came up and said someone below wanted to see her. She started to go down, and J ran up behind her. grabbed her and cut .her throat. Yes. I killed her. I might as well admit It. I killed her, and I'll kill myself, too, before I'll hang." According to Coleman's statoment he went from the scone of the crime to the Spanish restaurant on Davis street, be tween Third and Fourth and drank a cup of coffee. Then he boarded a car and rode to the vicinity of the Exposition grounds. He got off the car there and .walked down the river to Goble. He crossed the Kalama and took the JCorthern Pacific there. On the train was Charles Wakefield, who was formerly a "bartender and knew Coleman. He had read newspaper accounts of the crime and knew that Coleman was the guilty man. He communicated with the conductor of tho train and they decided to act when Ccntralla was reached. At that station Coleman was made captive by the train crew, bound and taken to jail. The sher iff from Chehalls drove over to Ccntralla and returned to Chehalls with the prisoner. As the jail was reached, Coleman sud denly took from his. shoe the Tazor with guarded, and the watch will be continued until his case Is disposed of. In view of the fact that he has confessed and that clear and undisputable evidence has been collected, even to his bloody clothes and the razor with which he committed the deed. It seems probable that Coleman will pay the penalty for his crime. That Coleman premeditated not only tho murder of Edna Hoffman, but that he meant also to kill John Furey, was tho declaration of Edward McSweeney, before tho coroner's jury last night. Testimony of Witness. "I had just been upstairs to tell Edna Hoffman that a hackdriver wished to see her at the foot of the stairs, and she ?ald she would be right down, when Coleman called her back to him and killed her," said McSweeney, the bartender at tho Palm saloon, and the' only person to see Coloman with the woman, and to see him as he fled from tho sceno of the crime. "I had just reached the bottom of tho stairF, when I heard ?. scuffling, and started back. I thought' Coleman had struck the woman, of whom he was Jealous, and determined to go upstairs and protect her. I found her grasping tho railing. She tried to speak, but could not. At that moment. Coleman opened the door leading down the rear, and turned his face so that I got a good look at It. I hn Vnow that lie had killed the woman. and thought ho was making for Furey's room, to kill him. I followed him, and as he entered Furey s room. I was close to him. Furey works day shift, and was asleep. I called to him, warning him. Coleman hesitated a moment, and then unbolted another door and fled Into Fourth street. I believe that had not I been .right after him, Coleman would nave killed Furey, because he was Joalous of him on account of tho fact that the mur dered woman paid Furey a good deal of attention. "Coleman had been warned to keep away from the Palm saloon, as the wom an had requested the proprietor to see that he did not get to see her. In spite of this, however, when I went up to tell her the hackman wished to speak to her, she and Coleman were seated at a table par taking of food. Coleman told me several times that he was infatuated with her. He said he had spent a ,mall fortune on her. but was without funds now and wished her to assist him in his poverty." Verdict of Coroner's Jury. The Jhquest began at o'clock, with Acting Coroner A. U. Finlcy and Deputy District Attorney H. B. Adams in charge. The testimony of John Hill, proprietor of the Palm saloon; Assistant City Physician Slocum, Edward Burns and Jahn Furey, - 1 John Coleman, Murderer of Edna Hoffman. was taken, after which the Inquest ad journed until 7:30 o'clock, owing to the fact that McSweeney could not be lo cated. Dr. Slocum was called to the scene of the murder Immediately after It occurred. He testified that death resulted from knife wounds in tho throat. The testimony of the other witnesses was cor- robatlve of that given by Mcbweeney. The verdict of the coroner's Jury fol lows: "That Edna Hoffman came to her death at No. 42 North Fourth street, Portland Or., at about 1 o'clock Sunday morning, April 2, 1903. from the effect of knifo wounds, inflicted by a person known to the jury as Jack Coleman." The scene of the murder Is where crimes innumerable have occurred, it being for merly in charge of "Bob" Patterson, a notorious character, now facing- tho peni tentiary for larceny committed there. It was known for years as the "Favorite" saloon. Lawn MowersBest to Be Had At the Lowest Prices The Meier (3b Frank Store Peninsular Stoves and Ranges Guaranteed Trunks, Traveling Bags Greatest Variety ANNOUNCEMENT Tomorrow Evangelistic Day of Prayer Store will be closed from 11:30 A. M. to 2 P. M. Artistic Picture Framing to Your Order Lowest Prices The Meier (& Frank Store Special Sale $1.50 Copyright Books at 5 0c First Floor Our Dress Goods Department Offers Skirts Made Free Conservative judgment, a steady growth since 185?, the welfare of its patrons continually in mind, has made The Meier (b Frank Store, Portland Largest and Best and Always-to-Be-Relied-Upon Department Store in the Northwest AT THE THEATERS What the Press Agents Say. At the Empire Tonight. Tonight, at the Empire Theater, Fritz Krelsler, the eminent young Austrian violinist, will give one of the recitals which have caused such a sensation from the Atlantl to the Pacific. There are but two cities in the Northwest where Krelsler will play, Portland and Seattle, and tho event Is arousing the greatest interest. The concert is under the per sonal direction of Ix)ls Steers-Wynn Coman, and will begin at half past eight. Not even the hand of death laid upon a victim can Kay James McDonald, a collector of bills. While the body of Edna Hoffman lay upon a slab in the morgue, and Just before the Jury was to sit at the Inquest, McDonald entered and sought an audience with Acting Coroner A. I. Plnley. Ha said he had hills aggregating ?200 against the mur dered woman: that he had .heard she owned Jewelry worth several hundred dollars, and that he wished to proceed to collect. Ho was Informed she died a pauper. He left, saying he was sorry he could not get the money. "The Marriage of Kitty." "The Marriage of Kitty," a comedy written by Charles Edward Stuart Cosmo Gordon Lennox for production in Ixmdon by his better half, Marie Tempest, will be seen at the Marquam, Grand on Monday and Tuesday nights, April 30 and 11, when Jules Murry's Metropolitan com pany, headed by Max Figman, will ap pear. The play Is said to bo wholesome, refined, full of wit, epigram and ludicrous situations. The advance sale of seats will open next Friday morning at 10 o'clock. "A Runaway Girl" Tonight. Tonight, Wednesday and Thursday nights, the Pollard Lilliputian Opera Company will present tho charming musi cal comedy, "A Runaway Girl," in which they made such, a decided hit last night at the Marquam Grand Theater. Friday night and Saturday matinee, "A Gaiety Girl" will be the bill. Saturday night, "An American Millionaire." Scats are now selling for the entire week. which he had killed Edna Hoffman, and slashed his throat three times, before the officers could prevent him. It Is declared that the officers were careless, as they had failed to search Coleman carefully and did not have him handcuffed, at the time. Taken to Hospital. .He was removed to the hospital of Dr. Kennlcoth, and there an operation was performed. When Detectlvos Kerrigan and Snow readied Chehalls and saw the condition of the prisoner, they communi cated with Chief of Police Hunt, of this city, and received orders to bring Cole man to Portland as soon as he could be moved. Dr. Kennlcoth stated that the prisoner could be moved, and offered to come to Portland with the party. Before they left Chehalls Coleman attempted twice to rip the bandages from his throat. He was prevented only by the plucky ac tions of a nurse. "I think he will recover and bo able to Eland trial," said Dr. Kennlcoth last night "He will have to be watched very carefully, however, as he has sworn to commit suicide If given a chance. He lost a great deal of blood before the operation. " He severed the windpipe. His pulse is noerly normal now. however, and all he needs -is close watching. He is a man of wonderful vitality." Last night Coleman was carefully AT THE VAUDEVILLE THEATERS Grand. The newest thing in vaudevillo is a. Chinese baritone, Lee Tortg Foo, who sings at the Grand this week and makes good. Ho has a good voice and gives an act that Is not of the kind commonly met with every day. Bartlett and Collins, In grotesque comedy, are the top-notchers and the strongest team on the bllL Their excellent work must be heard to be be lieved, and they are sure to make tho big gest kind of a hit. Samson and Zaccho, billed as the world's strongest duo, pre sent an act of the sensational order. Samson snapped steel chains by the mere expansion of his mighty right arm. and he lifted a burden weighing probably 230 pounds with one of his fingers. He has enviable muscular development. Not to be outdone, Zaccho mounted a pedestal, and with her teeth swung a case bearing a young man pianist and a piano. She ought to be billed the Zaccho Express Company. Orvllle Pltchor, stump speaker and singer, talks In such a cool, collected manner that he has Inserted a dozen jokes, harpoon fashion, before you are aware of it. . Other acts: Murray : Hill, monologist; the Keltic Trio, unlaue Specials ip Spring and Summer Materials This store's showing of Summer Fabrics far excels all previous efforts With yesterday's sunshine there arrived many pretty effects for today's selling Here are a few new things for your choos ing and the prices make them doubly attractive New Silk Stripe Voiles that are so popular and stylish and make up so prettily for Shirtwaists and Shirtwaist Suits 36c Soie Boucle Madras in pretty patterns, all colors and one of the many serviceable effects we are showing. 39c 30c and 35c White Ground Voile with colored figures in Dolly Varden effects and an exceptional value at. 23c Afilf inrar Some extremely stylish new arrivals make, the display in this ATaXV J Section unusually attractive today. Spec'l Hosiery Values Here is an opportunity for the ladies to secure some splendid Hosiery values at prices not to be overlooked The Bargain for Today $1.25, $1.50, $1.75, $2 Hose $1,19 Pr. This Sale includes our entire line of fine French Lace Lisle Hose in all? over lace patterns This store's Hosiery does not need any further comment Lively selling is certainly assured for today Boy a :i t il Amarinon "Rnv" maa7mi is nnw roarlv fnr rlistri- M 111 JJUJUUIJ. ui. j-'vj "'"6' " vi O Untmn "Ri-incr irnni nnrrl nnrl spp.nrp. a non" UUIIUU. . - J - XT Great Easter Sale of Pictures Our Picture Store suggests some ideas for Easter An appro priate picture or scene We have a splendid showing and this morning we place on sale some very tempting values Second Floor Hand-colored Oriental pictures fram ed in handsome black frames, our regular $2.25 pictures. fQ Special ""C Framed water color pictures in black and gilt frames, panel shapes, size 5x12. Special Another good value in an odd lot of framed pictures intended to sell for $2.00. Special j j g "We are also showing the latest nov elties in posters, too many to describe here. 89c Suits, Petticoats and Waists All at Reduced Prices $30 and $32 Suits $24.65 Great Easter offering of 200 Women's handsome Tailored Suits, in Voiles, Sicilians, Serges, Shepherds, "Worsteds and Cheviots, in blouses, Etons and jacket effects; tight-fitting and Norfolks; colors include blues, greens, browns, checks, blacks, tans and grays; the very best $30.00 and $32.00 values for the low price of $24165 each. $24 65 Second Floor Just received by express, entire new line of Tan Covert Jackets, the very 36 00 newest laeas, an unequaiea aispiay at prices nom ?i.ju w "We are showing the latest things in Linen Suits, both Etons and Redingotes, hand-embroidered and fancy trimmed,, at very low prices. Thousands of the prettiest Silk Shirt waist' Suits. New line of Shiptwaist Suits, white and colors, lace and embroidery trimmed, very pretty styles, $20.00 to $4S.OO each. Our display of costumes and wraps is the grandest m the city. Silk Petticoats at $5.45 For Tuesday and "Wednesday, 400 Taffeta Silk Petticoats, a special purchase we are able to offer at about one-third below their value. These Skirts, made of superior quality Taffeta Silk, have deep accordion plaited flounce and two rows of ruchings; full width and splendidly made; colors are navy, royal, light blue, pink, white, light green, brown, tan and g g m gr black ; your choice Japanese Silk Waists "We are showing a magnificent line of new Jap Silk "Waists, trimmed with round-mesh Vals. and Irish crochet laces and English eyelet embroideries with small tucks and sitleplaits; prices range from $3.75 to $30.00 each. Entire new line of Embroidered Linen "Waists, tucked and lace-trimmed; the grand est showing in the city at prices from $4.75 to $65.00 each. Sec the hand-made French Waists. In the Men's Apparel Section The Meier &. Frank Store's Clothing Is Correct Styles Are Always the Latest Prices Are Always the Lowest Men's all-wool, navy blue Serge Suits Single or double-breasted Exceptionally well- g t J f( tailored suit at the low price of.... P J AJU i ! Men's all-wool, fine blue unfinished Worsted Suits in single or double-breasted, finely-fin-ished and hand-tailored suit $20.00 Men's fine all-wool, fancy Worsted Suits in neat, dark stripes and overplaids of the newest designs Suit $22.50 Men's extra fine Worsted Cheviot Suits in new over plaids Equal to any merchant tailor's make Suit $25.00 Spring weather suggests Outing Suits We have them in Homespuns and fancy Flannels ranging up from $7.50 to, suit . . $20.00 Our assortment of Onting Trousers is complete, with Belt Loops and Turnover Bottoms; prices range from C ( $2.50 to 3JVJVJ For Spring and Summer there's nothing cooler than a Washable Vest. Our assortment is great and prices range tf C from $5.00 down to H Men's Wear Two bargains shown in our Morrison-street display that should interest every economical dresser and items that are new and stylish at prices for below their actual worth $1.00 GOLF SHIRTS 83c Men's new pleated white golf Shirts, made with the new box pleats, regular $1.00 values. $1.00 UNDERWEAR 85c Men's super-weight natural wool underwear, the kind that does not shrink or scratch, regular $1.00 values. Boys' Clothing at Special Prices Boys' Washable Russian Suits, in tan, blue and pink striped Uhambray, sizes ly to b C 1 1 Q P 4 a A years, best $1.50 values for Boys' All-Wool Knee Pants in 'good, mixtures, ages 3 to 15 years ; olir best 75c. values, on sale for serviceable Boys' Norfolk and 2-piece Double-Breasted Suits, 'brown and gray mixtures and plaids, oj "5 Of ages 8 to 14 years, best $4.50 values 3-.JJ Boys' Russian Blouse Suits, for little boys, to 6 years, light grays, tans, navy, royal ae blue and reds? $6.00-$6.50 values Young Men's Suits in Cheviots and fancy Worsteds, this season's best styles, ages 14 to 20 years, our best $10.00 garments, on sale 1 for $0. 1 Young Men's Suits apd Topcoats, this season's new est fashions and materials, from the fl CT tt most prominent makers, $10.00 to. . .J.UU "With every purchase of Suit or Topcoat at regular price to the amount - of $5.00 or over Ave give a year's subscription to the "American Boy," the biggest and best boys' paper, free of charge. See that you buy your clothing here. musical act; Alf "Bonner, song illustrator, in "Mamma's Boy," and the Grandlscope. Star. Tralnod pigeons, cockatoos, macaws and doss! In stage language, they comprise the Panahasika Animal Show at the Star, and the act is one of the most lnteresUng and Instructive spectacles o the season. As most people know, the macaw Is es sentially an American bird, and there are at least IS species known. Well, the boss macaw at the Star Is a born aristocrat and his brilliant collegtlon ol reds and greens, to say nothing- of his glittering tall, would make a professional dyer squirm with envy. The other birds act as a Arc brigade and extinguish a blaze in a manner that is both ludicrous and interesting. The dogs perform all sorts of tricks, and the whole act is just the one for children. Alexander and Com pany, billed as the handcuff king, per forms uncanny tricks that savor of witches and broomsUck .days. One min ute he is bound with ropes and chains, and the next ho is free in an unexplained way. Rousell is an excellent gymnast and has marvelous physical development for a man of his size. Other acts: Fer rington and Boyle, comedy: The Demonl cos, in Roman ringwork; Billy Tan, com edian; llorgan and Chester, sketch team; Roscoe Arbuckle, song- Illustrator, and the projectoscope. . Baker. All who have passed under .the spell of Ernest Thompson Seton's animal stories, and they are many, will experience a thrill of pleasure in the act of Robert! and his two trained bears. The bears roll hoops, walk on ladders, and it's worth the price of admission to see the baby bear fight for his bottle of milk. The musical Thors, great xylophone and banjo virtuosi, are probably top-liners, and their work causes great enjoyment. McLaln and McLaln, a colored man and a white woman, have an act that's actually new to vaudeville, and their work when the fake body is run over by the railroad engine provokes roars of laughter. Other acts are: Fioso, mechanical doll: Jean Wilson, song Illustrator; Al Hazzard. ven triloquist; Powers and Theobald, the "hu man doll and her beau, and the biozrash. WRAPPER SALE. Most remarkable bargains ever of fered in ladies' percale wrappers. In light and dark colors at 50c, 65c, -75c and 95c. Any garment is readily worth the price. Come today. 31'AL.L.EN & M'DONNELL. Throws Proprietor Out of Hotel. A. S. Biler was arrested at 1 o'clock this morning on a charge of assault and battery, preferred by A. J. Dietz, one of the proprietors of the Scott Hotel. This is about the fourth act in a row that has been going on between Dietz and his part ner, Stevenson, the opening act occurring when one would not give up the keys to the safe and the other had to blow it open. Eiler is a new actor on tho sen and appears as a henchman of Stevenson hired for the purpose of throwing Dietz out of the hotel, which he safely a: complished. only to find himself immedi ately arrested. New Manager of Moffat Read, DENVER, April 3. Announcement was made today that William A. Duel, super intendent of the Union Pacific Railroad, with headquarters at Omaha, has been appointed general manager of the Den ver, Northwestern & Pacific (the Moffat road) and will enter upon his new dutle)r on May L Mr. Duel also becomes gen eral manager of the Colorado-Utah Con struction Company, which has thn con tract lor constructing the Moffat road.