New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-12
SHOT BY "SAM'L OF POSEN.'
NJ. B. CURTIS. TIE ACTOR, KILLS A POLICE
MAN
ARRESTED FOR BEING INTOXICATED IN THE
STREETS OF SAN FRANCIsCo-CAREER
OF ME MURDERER

OF THE MURDERER.
San Francisco, Sept. 11.-Offcers at the Southern
Police Station startled late last night by pistol
shot Just outside Of the door, Running out they found
Ocer Grant lying dead on the pavement with bullet
| hole In his head. was seen running away,
and on being pursued and caught, Grants handouts
we're found on his wrists. discharged pistol
found on the pavement the dead body. The man
| gave his name ms Maurice Curtis. He denied shooting
| Grant The prisoner proved TO be NJ B. Curtis,
we'll known in theatrical circles as ~SamT of Posens
Curtis had come over to this city from his home In
Berkeley and had been drinking all the evening with
his theatrical friends Why Grant arrested him is not
known but ii is supposed that the actor was creating
n disturbance. Two men across the street saw Cur
It's and The officer have short struggle In front Of the
police station, and then saw the fash Of a pistol
Curtis was seen at the police station. lie told the
following story
81 was at the Grand Opera House last night with
my wife to see Bernhardt in Camille, I left the
theatre about 10 O'Clock to 90 to the Tivou Theatre
with William Kreling OF the propretors. We had
drink together and left him to return 10 the Opera
House for my wife. When l reached the corner of
Third and Mission sts, l suddenly tumbled into
the gutter and after that / remember nothing only
somebody pulling and jerking about until found
myself in wagon with handouts on my wrists
When Curtis taken to Jail last night he appeared
10 be under the influence Of liquor and ncoherently
told of his dongs during the night, protesting that he
had no weapon. and that he was innocent OF the
murder. The place wherc the officer arrested Curtis
Is several blocks from the saonhouse but the shoot
Ing occurred within a half block OF the station and
within hearing Of number of policemen. Grant
killed Immediately, the bullet entering the mid
die of the forehead the hair and penetetng the
brain. He was thrtyeight years DID, and had been on
the police force about five years. Curtis has
lived for the past two three years at
Berkeley, California. lie had acquired considerable
cd 1arrp tpI af Rprka v-hic
has since been converted into seminary.
The comedian was ptlable object in the
police station. running from officer to another to
protest his innocence. and telling in incOheIent
way his doings Of the night He intoxicated, and
lie staggered up from his seat some would push
him back Again and again he started to his feet.
"My God" he CRIED II could only recall the last few
hours Of my life. Pm murderer. had no pistol.
I shot nobody. I haven't an enemy in the world"
Vany he protested his innocence Of any offence and
wanted to 90 home to his wife. In rambling way he
tod his story. After leaving the Tv0li Theatre he
went to the Grand Opera House to meet his wife.
While on Mlsslon-st. he caught In a crowd. Some
one struck him in the back of the neck and he fought
his way ont to the street. There he found himself
In the hands of officer Grant. Why he was arrested
he did not know but he protested that lie went with
the officer without opposition
"Why did you draw your pistol on him2" was
asked.
shoot any one. l am sorry it happened l wanted
to have n good time and never harmed a man in my
life. Pm no train rObber gentlemen
The only witnesses of the shooting were two young
men, Thomas Muller and f. TOomcy, who stood dretcy
across the street. and heard the policeman say Come
along now.o There reply, but almost at the
same instant the young men fash. pistol
shot rang out in the quiet street, followed In quick
succession by two more reports. The officer fell to
the sidewalk without grOan and Curtis, VINO
moment before had bcen his prisoner, turned and fled
up Folsomst.
william Krelng, proprietor of the Tivoll Theatre
states that Curtis visited the Uvoli shortly aer III
O'Clock last night. Curtis had had several glasses OF
louor I'm Krengs company, and when he lett the
theatre about IL 80 was showing excitement Police
officers state that Officer Grant had unquesdonably
nlaccd Curtis under arrest owing 10 disturbance he
was creating in the street. and that Ciits stDC hii
while the officer quietly taking MN 10 the sHt
ton The dead officer was "A native OF Nova scotia. |
lie was resident OF California for sEsera years. ie
was a member Of California coInmahuefS Oh hinsn'S
The case of Curtis called before Police judge Judge
Morley this forenoon Curtis looked pale ana tfel-
bled The case postponed until MoAuay heAs !"
await the action Of the coiOnerS Jury; o. r,-on
Detroit Sept. 1.-THE comedian sam OF fOSe',
vrbo il charged with numbering officer In san Fran
cisco last night was a Detroit boy. Ills name - |
Maurice Bertrand stelRger' ana ne %a PoM Po oreg
i'm Hanna q Co.'S tobacco store three or four years as
.biI~tng cierk lie went to Chicago afterward and |
worked I'm the Briggs House year As n beH Dog:
Then he took to the stage AZ first ne was cmPi2yeu
in the took company at McFckars Thea Fe. SuD 70
oncptlv he spent in Toronto and another ~
Coumbus Ohio. ri the same work Then he plaNen
three seasons with Maggie MITCHELL and three WIN
i a|feGce hcd and the pay m OF Poscn' which
had been constructed by himself and George H. les
liz own acc6rnt Ills expectations were more than
realized The play was god mine 39d dd ne re atirs nTe
money rapidly with 1t that nc was CnaDed 70 curc
rich four years ago