The morning call., 1891-09-11
HIS LAST ARREST.
Officer Alexander Grant Shot
Dead While on Duty.
BE Was Taking NJ B. Curtis to the South
ern Station When the Fatal Shot
Was Fired.

Policeman Alexander Grant was shot dead
at twenty minutes past u o'clock this morn
ing, by NJ. B. Curtis. The shooting took
place on Folsom street. near Fifth, while
Officer Grant was leading Curtis q
prisoner to the Southern Station. The
officer had the "nippers" on the
right wrist Of the prisoner when he pulled
revolver. it is supposed. and fired three
shots. One of the bullets struck Grant
sQuarely in the forehead, and he was BREATH
ing hrs last when picked up by Officers
Charley james and Henry Newman. who
were attracted to the spot by the firing Of
the shots.
1t is evident that the shot was fred ae
short range, as the band on the dead OFF,
GERS hat was burned by the powder. The
bullet bored small round hole through the
hat and made an ugly wound in the dead
mans forehead. just at the roots Of the
hair. Neither Of the other two shots fired
found mark, as there were no other
wounds on the body save an abrasion of the
side of the face, where he had fallen for
ward.
Officers James and Newman Immediately
notified the southern station, which was but
few yards distant, and the patrol wagon
was sent to the spot. The body was taken
to the Receiving Hospital, where DIR. Berry
made an examination Of the wound. Death
must have been instantaneous.
1.-The man who is supposed to have done
the shooting was overhauled short dis
tance from where the body of Grant lay by
Officers Bode and Allen. When brought to
the Central Station he gave his name as
stated. and said that his stage name was Nj.
B. StTelitZ. His ideas, as expressed last
night in regard to the tragedy, are rather
vague.
He stated, that he was the author of the
play "Sam'l of Posen," in which lie starr ed
number Of seasons with his wife, Albina
del Mer. Last night StreiitZ and his wife
occupied box at the Grand Opera House.
During the play he left his wife at the thea
ter and went to the TivOi and had drink of
whisky with Billy Kreling. lie intended,
he said, to return to the theater with his
wife and take her to their home in Berkeley.
While on the way back to the ODera House,
and near the corner OF Third and Mission.
some one, to use his own expression,
''tumbled him over in the gutter" After
that his thoughts became confused. He re-
membered though of being
TAKEN IN HAND
By some person who placed a hand-cuff on
his wrist and jerked him roughly along.
When the shooting occurred he broke and
ran down Folsom street toward Fifth until
stopped by Officers BOde and Allen.
About the only evidence there is to con-
meet Strelitz with the death of Officer Grant
was the nipper or come-along," which was
still fast to his right wrist. This instrument
was identified as belonging to Grant A re-
volver was picked up near Fifth and Folsom
with three chambers empty. StrelitZ said
the weapon was not his aud sthat he never
carried pistol.
Beyond this the prisoner knew nothing
more. He had been drinking to some ex-
tent, but was not so drunk as he appeared
to be. Strelitz is a medium-sized man,
about 80 years of age, and has been in the
threatrical business for number of years
Some time ago he bought large prop
erty near Berkeley. but the venture did
not prove success financially. He sold
portion of the property, hotel, to Homer
b. Sprague, who has started young ladies'
seminary.
Alexander Grant was brave and eff
cient officer, who had been in the depart
ment for five years. He was popular aud
well liked by his brother officers who will
be shocked to learn of his untimely fate.
He belonged to Company b. Second Divi-
sion, under Captain Short of the southern
detail. Grant was IS years of age.