The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-06

signing the death certificate and giving
pneumonia as the cause of death. Mrs.
Berner was dissatisfied, however, and re-
ported the matter to the Coroner. An
autopsy showed that the skull of the de-
ceased had been fractured, which was the
real cause of death.
The matter was reported by the MOrgue
officials to Chief of Police Crowley imne-
diately after the result of the autopsy was
made known. Chief Crowley detailed De-
tective Hogan to investigate the mystery
with Officer Judge.
H0rstman, the salOon-keeper, was the
first man interviewed.
VERY RETICENT.
AT first he was very reticent and went so
FAR even as to deny all knowledge of the
fracas or of the hOOdlums who fatally as
saulted BerIer. John j. Dolan, father of
Michael, who was in the saloon on the
night that Berner was beaten, took a stand
similar to the saloon man.
Neither knew anything about the affair,
so they at hrst claimed, but by dint of per-
severance and pressure of crosS-Question-
Ing they at last consented to make a state
young men, but they positively denied
knowing them.
All they knew was that one was two
inches taller than the other. They were in
the saloon when Berner came in and heard
short scuffie Just before they entered. One
saloon, while the other remained in the
doorway. They remained but short time,
however. When Berner started to go out
lie picked up shovel, but Horstmann re-
monstrated with him and took the shovel
away, telling him he ought to be in better
business than fighting with hoodlums.
After he had left the saloon, H0rstmann
and Dolan again heard the noise of scuffie
NOT TELLING THE TRUTH.
The statement, or description, given by
each was taken separately by Detective
Hogan, and upon comparison 1t was quite
evident that the men had not told the truth,
as their descriptions Of Berner's assailants
differed materially.
1t was plain, however, that the men were
we'll acquainted with the young hoodlums
Officer Judge, who has been on duty in that
nelghborhood for u long time, remembered
that on the Sunday night in question he
had heard loud talking between the two
men, ana when he went toward them they
ran OF in separate directions. He recognized
Sullivan as one Of the two. HOrstman and
some of his neighbors were interviewed
again and admitted that Sullivan's descrip-
tion would suit that of one of the men they
had seen.
THE SUSPECTS ARRESTED.
The officer also suspected that Sulliyan's
old companion, DOlan, was implicated in
the affair. The description of both was
read to the police watch in the Mission,
anu sullivan WAS arrested
at his home. When told of the object of
the officers visit, he admitted having had
trouble with Berner in front of Horstman's
saloon, and gave the following account of
the affair to the detective.
On the evening of the SOth of March
Michael Dolan and myself were walking
out Mission street. from Twenty-eighth to
the Four-mile House. On the way we met
Berner, who jostled against US and then
swung an empty beer can he had in his
hand, hitting me on the head. He then
went into Horstmann'S saloon. When he
came out he took the full beer can and hit
me on the head again, spilling the beer all
over me. l struck him and he again struck
me with the can several times, and struck
him again with my fist. knocking him down.
D0lan and | then proceeded up Mission
street to the Four-mile House."
MURDERoUs WEAPON.
Although Sullivan says he struck Berner
only with his fist, the detective claims he
Can prove that the prisoner hit Berner with
rock tied up in a handkerchief.
About o'clock Sunday morning Dolau
was placed under arrest at his fathers
house. he disclaimed any connection with
the fight that was the cause of Berner's
DEATH He even refused to admit that he
had ever seen Berner or that he was with
Sullivan that night
AT the City Prison the two prisoners
were confronted with each other and the
effect closely watched.
You had better tell all you know about
it," said Sullivan to his companion. 81
have told all know"
didn't think you was that kind of
feler, Ed" answered Dolan; "why didn't
you keep your mouth shut? But was not
with you all the same. How about Ed
Coakley and Danny Coughlin, who were at
the Saloon?"
BoAsTED OF HIS DEED.
Sullivan said he had not seen or been
with Coughiin, whereupon Dolan turned to
Detective Hogan and said:
Well, it will be proven that he was, and
that he came into Hunts saloon (the Four
mile House, with Sullivan, who boasted
that he had just killed man down at
Horstmann's saloon"
Neither Coakley nor Coughlin are be-
lieved to be in any way connected with the
matter.
The detective says he has a very strong
chain of evidence against his prisoners, but
withholds the names of respectable wit
nesses to avoid interference by friends of
the accused, who, although inseparable be-
fore the night in question, had not been
seen together afterward until in the prison
corridor yesterday morning.
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