The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-25
TWO SHOTS
ON THE BEACH.
S. III. Allen Found With a Bullet
in the Head.
He Denies That He Attempted Suicide, De-
olaring That He Was Assaulted.
Conflicting Statements.

The report Of two pistol shots was heard
on the ocean beach, south of the Cliff House,
about 80 o'clock last evening, and a man
was also seen at the same time to fall. Mr..
Wilkins, the proprietor Of the house. with
several of his employees, were soon at the
side of the PROSTATE form.
The man was bleeding profusely, appar-
entity from two wounds inflicted on either
side of his head. The man was quickly re-
moved to the Cliff House, and with him a
large sized revolver, picked UP on the sand,
which had two empty chambers and was
still smoking.
The police were notified and the patrol
wagon from the new City Hall Police Sta
ton was sent on its way Immediately. The
streets and road through the park being
good quick trip was made, considering the
distance.
ONE WOUND ONLY INFLICTED.
The unfortunate was brought to the Re-
ceiving Hospital in about an hour and a
half, and when placed on the operating
table, Assistant Police Surgeon, DR.. A. z.
OBrien, probed the wound and found thai
| it had been made by only one bullet.
1t had entered the right side of the neck
at the angle OF the lower jaw, passing
| upward and outward, cutting the lower
| ing much hemorrhage. This wound, though
| severe, is not necessarily fatal.
The man could not speak, but after his
wounds had been dressed lie was able to
| write, and from that it was learned that
| his name is 5. III. Allen, and that he is from
| Brownsville, Pa; that he had just arrived
! from Omaha on Central Pacific freight
| car. Among his effects were found the fol-
lowing addresses in notebook: Horne.
| 1871 Wabash avenue, Chicago; Dr. Parker
| 5S State street, New York; Bowers 81 Mil
| Ter, Twelfth and Broadway, New York, and
| Surder Electric Company"
WHO DID THE SHOOTING?
On his person WAS also found a bunch of
| keys, one of which had the letters IS. S. 81
| NJ. X r." engraved on il, and the other the
initials IN & T. r. r." These were
| thought to be station keys, and led to the
belief that he had been telegrapher. When
| asked by Captain Lees whether he shot
| himself he wrote mo, sir; | was shot by a
man named Smithy-or lie tod me that was
| bis name"
A further exploration of the mans pock-
| cts revealed a check for the California
| Theater dated January 2lst, which threw a
| shadow over his statement that he had just
| arrived in the city. In connection with this
| it should be stated that l.. ii. Stevens, a
| fisherman at the Chff House, was not far
| from tie man when he did the shooting,
| and lie stated to Officer p. II. Herring that
lie heard a shot, and looking up saw the
| man, VINO then nTed second AT himself
| and fell. Then there is the fact that w. C..
| Pleasley also witnessed the shooting.
AN INVEsrIG ALTON ORDERED.
| In the face of the statement of the
wounded man that he did not shoot him
| self. and the further fact that the wound
| of entrance was not powder burned, the
| Chief of Police and Captain Lees decided
| to put two men on the case Immediately.
| After Allen was made as comfortable as
| possible in bed, he still chung to his state
ment that he had been shot, and further
that the shooter had relieved him Of bis
| ich. y o money was found on him.
| When Allen had become more composed
he further wrote that his companion was
| named "Smithly." He had met him in
Sacramento. and they had come to the
city together. They had gone to the
| Cliff House beach, and while strolling up
and down Smlthly demanded his watch. and
| made grab for it.
| Allen wrote that he drew his pistol to de-
fend himself, and in the struggle it was dis
charged twice, the second shot taking effect
| as described. ''Smithly" then fed.
| Detectives Byram and Seymour found,
1 from half a dozen eye-witnesSes of the
4 shooting, that Allen did 1t himself. John
/ Pearson was not more than five feet away
when the shots were fired. The hostler and
4 theirs also saw the tragedy.