Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-12
CURTIS DEADLY AIM,
The Comedian Tells About the Shooting OF q
San Francisco Policeman.


Actor Curtis gives the following account of
his doings in San Francisco Thursday night:
II was at the Grand Opera House last night
with my wife to sec Bernhardt In Camille l
LETT the theater about 10 o'clock to go to the
Tivoli Theater with VIM. Kreling. one of the
proprietors We had drink together and
left him to return to the opera house for my
wife. When reached the corner of Sd and
Mission streets l was suddenly tumbled into
the gutter and after that l remember nothing
only somebody pulling and jerking me about
until found myself in a wagon with hand
cutis on my wrists
When Curtis was taken to Jail that night he
appeared to be under the influence of liquor
and incoherently told Of his doings during the
night, protesting that he bad no weapon and
that lie was innocent OF murder. The place
where the officer arrested Curtis is some blocks
from the station house. but the shooting &C.
Cured within half block of the station and
within hearings OF number OF policemen.
Grant was killed immediately, the bullet enter
ing The middle of the forehead near the hair
aud penetrating the brain. He was thirty
eight 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 uu-
able to control their grief when he was brought
to the station dead, Curtis, who is known
character of Samuel of po5cn," in the
play which was created Tor him. has resided for
the past two or three We avs at Berkeley. Cal. He
had acquired considerable property through
profits accruing from his success az an actor
and erected large hotel at Berkeley, which
has since been converted into IA uinary.
He began life a call boy at the Old Cali
fornia Theater in San Francisco, gradually
working his way up through minor roles to tie
position OF a recognized actor in comedy parts.
The pistol with which Curtis shot The police
officer was found in the street a short distance
from where the tragedy occurred.
Curtis was q pitiable object rs he sat in the
police station wrinsing lis hands in despair,
running from one oficer to another 20 protest
his innocence and telling i'll an incoucrent,
drunken way OF his doings during the night.
He was intoxicated and as he sao oered up from
his seat some one would push Linn back again.
Time and again he started to his feet. NY
God he cried. Iii l could only recall the last
four hours of my life. am no murderer. gen
tlemen; had no pistol. l shot nobody. l
haven't an enemy i'll the world
Vainlv he protested his innocence of any
offense and wanted to &c home TO his wife,
In rambling way he told the story Of bis
business and his affairs. He came to the city
from his home In l;erkeley on the 7:3O O'Clock
boat with his wife ana DR.. Cook ana his iamiiy
OF Berkeley. He had purchased box for the
Bernhardt performance and left his wife and
those with her at the Grand Opera House.
Then he went to tine IiNoii Opera House, where
he met VIM. Kreling. the proprietor, and per-
son whose name he could not recollect. but
who spoke French and represented himself to
be drummer for liquor house. The trio re-
manned i'll the Iivoh until the end of the per-
Torrance.
Then Curtis claimed that he knew nothing
more. He broke OIL in his story to tell about
his property in Berkeley. Its vaiue and its ten
ants. H. Il few min utes he resumed his nara
, tive of the incidents OF the night ana said that
after leaving the TIyoii he went to the Grand
Opera House to meet his wife. While in the
street he was caught in a crowd. Some one
struck him in the back Of the neck and he
fought mis- way out to the street. There he
found himself in the hands of Officer Grant.
Why he wa9 arrested he did not know, but he
protested that he went with the officer without
any opposition.
Why die You draw your pistol on him" was
asked.
Il had no pistol, he exclaimed, ''nnd did
not shoot any one. am sorry it happened.
wanted TO Lave good time, and never harmed
man i'll NY lie"