Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-12
In A NEW ROLE.
Samuel of POSen Appears in
High Tragedy.
The Comedian Accused of a
Serious Crime.
Maurice B. Curtis Believed to Be the
Slayer of Policeman Grant.
He Denies All Knowledge of the Act.
Strong Circumstantial Evidence.
No witnesses to the
Occurrence.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches.
SAN Francisco, Sept. 11.-Maurice B.
Curtis, Samuel of Posen, the well-known
actor, who shot and killed Police Officer
Alexander Grant, who had arrested him
last night, tells the following story of
the affair:
81 was at the Grand opera house last
might, with my wife, to see Bernhardt,
in Camille. l left the theater at 10
O'Clock TO go to the Tivoli theater, with
one of the proprietors. We had drink
together, and 1 left him to return to the
opera house for my wife. When l
reached the corner OF Third and Mission
streets, l was suddenly tumbled into
the gutter. After that 1 remember
nothing, only somebody pulling and
poking me about, until l found myself
in a wagon with handouts on my
wrists"
When Curtis was taken to jail last
night he appeared to be under the ini1u
ence of liquor, and incoherently told of
his doings during the night, protes ting
that he had no weapon and that he was
innocent of murder. The place where
the officer arrested Curtis is some blocks
from the station house, but the shooting
occurred within half block Of the sua-
tion and within the hearing of q number
of policemen.
Grant was killed instantly, the bullet
entering the middle of the forehead,
near the hair, penetrating the brain.
He was SO years of age, and had been on
the police force about five years. He
was much liked by his brother officers,
many of whom were unable to control
their grief when he was brought to the
station dead.
Curtis, who is known throughout the
United States from the character OF
Sam'l of Posen, in the play which was
created for him. has resided for the past
two or three years at Berkeley, Cal. He
had acquired considerable property
through the profits ACQUIRING from his
success as an actor, and erected a slarge
hotel at Berkeley, which has since been
converted into seminary. He began
life as call boy at the old California
theater, this city, gradually working his
way up through minor roles to the po-
sitiOn of recognized actor in comedy
parts.
The pistol with which the shooting
WIS QOH6, was lOuHQ III LDG SIISSI near
the scene OF the tragedy
Curtis IVES visited by large number
OF friends at the city prison this morn
ing. He adheres to his former state
ments, and declares that Policeman
Grant was shot and killed by some out
slider, and that he himself is innocent.
His attorneys, George A. Knight and Il.
l. Kowalsky claim that the evidence
against him is wholly crcumstantial,
and that number OF witnesses who
were intimate with him will testify that
they never knew Curtis to go armed.
Curtis was taken before Judge Wor-
ley-today, and at the request of counsel,
his case went over until Monday, pend
ing the inquest on the officers remains,
which will be held late this afternoon or
tomorrow. Curtis appeared nervous
while in the court room, which was
crowded with spectators.
Two bullet holes have been found in
the fence near where Officer Grant was
shot, showing that three shots were
fired.
Mrs. Curtis says her husband was
sober when he left her at the theater.
She says he never carried pistol. Peo-
pie who know Curtis, however, state
he was never without revolver.
DETROIT, Sept. 1.-THE comedian
'fSamuel OF Posen," charged with the
murder of an officer in San Francisco
last night, was Detroit boy. His name
is Maurice Beryrand Stellinger, and he
was born here 40 years ago. After leav
ing school, he worked in tobacco store
three or four years as clerk. He went
10 Chicago afterward, and took to the
stage. He played three seasons with
Maggie Mitchell and three with Law
With this experience, and the peculiarly
funny play of Samuel of Posen," he
felt justified in embarking upon the
stage on his own account. The play
was a success. and he made money SO
rapidly that he was enabled TO retire
rich four years ago.