Evening journal., 1891-09-12
IS ACTOR CURTIS CRAzY7
His Friends Are Strongly of
That Opinion.
HOW BE SLEW POLICEMAN GRANT

Two Witnesses who saw the shooting
at San Francisco Say That "samI Of
Poses" was Certainly the Murderer Of
the omccr--Drunk ana Demontea.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept I'm. II. Curtis,
"Saml Of Posen," the well known charao-
ter actor, who Is locked up in the city
prison here on the charge Of numbering
Policeman Alexander Grant, OF this city,
was brought into court in the afternoon.
Curtis looked pale and trembled percept-
ibly, evidently not having slept much since
the shooting had occurred BY consent
the case was postponed until next Mon
day to await the action Of the coroner's
jury and 70 allow the attorneys to prepare
their case.
The Shooting Of Grant.
At an early hour Grant was shot and in
stantly killed, and there are several wit
nesses who declare that Curtis did the
shooting. The outlook for him is dark.
So far as can be learned Curtis, who was
drunk and disorderly at the time, was ar
rested 1t 1890 at the corner OF Folsom and
Fifth streets by Policeman Grant for dis
turbing the peace He vigorously resisted
arrest, and Grant found It necessary to
put on the 'nippera" He was taking his
prisoner to the Southern police station on
Folsom street. when Curtis suddenly drew
revolver aud discharged IL at the head
Of his captor
Dropped Dead In his Tracks
The bullet missed Grant, but before he
could prevent the actor again pulled the
trigger, and this time the bullet entered
the polieeman's head directly at the top OF
the forehead where the line OF the hair be.
gins. Grant dropped dead in his tracks,
and his murderer firing another shot at
the postrate body, ran down Folsom 20
Fifth street. He was pursued by a couple
OF policemen, and was finally caught a
block or two away.
Upon his wrist was found the dead Of
ficer's nippers-only used on obstinate
prisoners The revolver with which the
shooting was done was not found upon
him, but was picked up later near the cor
ner OF Fifth street, where he had thrown
1t in his fight. Three Of its chambers
were empty.
A Pitiable Spectacle.
Curtis was a pitiable spectacle when
taken to the Southern station. He was
still ia mandlin condition, but fully ap-
preciated the euormity Of the crime with
which he is charged. lie protested his in
nocsnce In an incoherent manner, and told
a rambling story about his movements
during the evening. He would stagger Il
his feet and plead to be allowed to 20 x
his wife. II am no murderer have no
an enemy in the world. hnd no pistol
and shot no one" he protested. Curti
had been 70 see Bernhsrdt in Camille
| He left his wife at the theater, had few
drinks, and he says he was returning e
the Opera House when arrested.
| Alexander Grant, the murdered officer
was native Of Nova Scotia, forty years OF
age. He had made a record as a cool anc
brave man.
Two Men who Saw the Anair.
The only known witnesses OF the shoot
ing were Thomas Muller and n. IQQmey
! wh2. stood dgsstly across the Street AM
heard the policeman say, Come along
now" There was no reply, but almost al
the same instant the young men saw Z
fash A pistol shot rang out ia the quiet
street. followed in quick succession by tw,
more reports The officer fell 70 the side
walk without groan, and Curtis turned
and fed up Folsom street.
There is no doubt that Curtis was drunk
and that the murder Of Grant was the re-
suit of a drunken freak. The old time
footlight favorite has been drinking hard
Of late, and some question as TO his mental
condition has been raised by his friends.
His wife's stage name is Albina De Mer.
who was with him in court was terribly
distressed.