The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-02
APPARENTLY
PREMEDITATED.
The Killing Of John NJ. Bowen
by Frederick c. Beck.
Death Was From Hemorrhage, the Knife
Having Touched the Heart-The
Weapon Cannot Be Found.

All The facts ELECTED tend to show that the kill
ing yesterday morning CT John NJ. Bowen.
waiter in tie Excelsior Restaurant at 1873 Mis-
sion street. by Frederick c. Beck, another waiter
who worked in the New Eastern Hotel, was a
most deliberate and untustilled homicide.
AS stated briefly yesterday, the scene of the
tragedy was the bar-r0om attached TO the gro
ceIy Of Henry Hahn, at The southeast corner OF
Fourteenth and Mission streets. The slayer and
his victim lived in clearinghouse on the oppo-
site corner. After his days work Bowen occa-
sonally tended bar for Hahn on evenings when
the proprietor of The place desired to be absent
for few hours.
He was presiding over the bar late on Friday
night when Peck entered and drank glass OF
liquor, for which he neglected 10 pay. AS he
drained the glass, a. W. Reese, Il medical stu
dent, walked in, and treated both Beck and
Bowen. Beck then ordered drinks for the THO,
nd PAID for them, but failed to settle for his first
drink.
Bowen Informed him OF the shortage, and ex-
planned how Ii had occurred. Beck exclaimed
You are in - OF hurry for YOU money,
amt you? I'll pay you in The morning"
why don't you pay il now? You have the
money! replied Bowen.
With an oath Beck threw dime upon the
counter. In the meantime hahn had entered
and 10 him Beck complained of Bowen's con-
duet. He was ytuperaliye and vindictive and
advice aDeered Beck and lie seized beer.glass
and threw il at Hahn's head.
BECK's THREAT OVERHEARD.
A second glass was directed al Bowers head
and broke 4 mirror behind The bal. Beck then
threw third lumber al Bowen, who stepped
out from behind The counter and with Hahu's
assistance elected hin fiOm the place. AS he
left the saloon Beck was overheard by Watch
man Lewis OF the Mission-street car stables TO
odd lie fbpaa fytas
companied by oathS.
Beck an over TO the New Eastern Hotel and pro-
curing carving knife IN The kitchen returned 10
the saloon. Reese had departed aud Hahn and
Bowen together in The barroom. Bowen
leaning against the counter near tie EN-
trance, with his back toward the door, Beck
sprang behind him and without word plunged
The knife into his left side, Bowen falling TO the
floor ana Hahn graphing with the knife welder
Reese. who had gone only short distance, ran
back to the saloon. When lie rn cred, Bowen
said feebly: Doc, am cut" Reese advanced
toward the wounded man, and Beck threatened
fiercely: do you want some, too, --- ---"'
Beck ran from the place. aud Bowen was carried
TO a room In the rear of lhe saloon, where Reese
tried 10 stanch the flow of blood. While the
wounded man was thus beug attended. his as
sallant surrendered himself 10 Waterman Lewis.
Policeman James was summoned and escorted
the prisoner to the room where Bowen lay IN a
dying condition. Bowen easily identified Beck
The man who cut him. and then whispered;
"Tuin me and let The blood run our, for
can Iee 1t on the inside" He was right and an
instant later another hemarrhage caused MS
DEATH
OF QUARREL SOME DISPOSITION.
Beck occupies Cell No. 3 In the City Prison,
and the charge OF murder against him does not
seem 10 disturb him In the least To the Ufhcer
lie admitted having done the stabbing, but TO all
others he refused 10 make statement. lie is
about 80 years of age ana has quarrelsome dis
position.
The deceased was native of New York, and
aged IS years. He has no relatives here. he
bad the reputation of being very quiet. peace
able young man. In the pockets OF his coat
10 n n al N
chief engineer OF the steamship Alameda, and
others from his brothers, George Ii. Bowen of
Little Valley and George C. Bowen OF Eddy
vile, N Y
DR.. Williams made au autopsy at the Morgue
yesterday afternoon. II showed that the knife
entered between the eighth and ninth ribs, pass
ing through the lower lobe OF the left lung ana
Just touching the heart. The wound three
fourths of an inch wide, five inches long and the
direction of the blade was upward, forward and
inward. he cause of death was hemorrhage.
Tie knife with which The stabOIng was done
has not been found, although the police have
made careful search Tor It. Tie prisoner re-
fuses 10 tell what he did with the weapon.