The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-06-24
IN DISCHARGE OF DUTY.
The Officer Who dubbed Anders
Swanson Ex0nerated.
Evidence That the Unfortunate Sailor At
tackled the Policeman The Coroner's Jury
Makes No Recommendation.

ADders Swanson, Swedish sailor who
lived at the corner of Beale and Folsom
streets. died at st. Mary's Hospital on June
IL from double pneumonia. said to have
been the result of a clubbing administered
to him early on the morning of May IA by
Officer Cook and p. j. McKenna, patrol
wagon driver.
al inquest was held last night over the
remains at the Coroner's Office, at which it
was shown that Swanson attacked tho Off
Ger and kicked him in the stomach. The
officer has suffered from bowel disease ever
since the night of the attack, and q majority
OF the jury were Of the opinion that his
action was justified by Swanson's behavior
Anders b. Anderson. a sailor, who lives at
1927 Polk street. testified that he had known
Swanson for 10 years. He was a sailor by
occupation and resided on Beale street, near
Folsom. On May IA, between 2 and 8 O'Clock
in the morning. they were at tie corner of
Howard and First streets, on their way to
Swanson's home. They saw two men
standing by lamp-pOst, and as they passed
one OF these m Ell took hold OF Swanson and
dubbed him. Swanson had bought hat
that night and was carrying it home on top
of the hat he had been wearing.
The two men, Anderson said, ordered
swanson 10 60 along with them. He was
willing to 60, and asked where they intended
to take him, and asked for their names.
One Of them threw back the lapel of his coat
and displayed what looked like police
mans star. Swanson asked the men
whether they were going to rob him, aud
tried to free himself from them. He pulled
one OF the men, who wore a black suit
down to the ground. and the other went for
the witness and struck him with a club on
the left wrist.
Anderson said he then ran to MontgOul-
ery's Hotel, on Second street. for assistance.
Before left the hotel, Anderson testi-
fed, "the two men who attacked us came
in. / had the hat which had been worn by
the man in black in my hand, with the two
hats which my friend had been wearing He
grabbed his hat and ran. and l went out
and found Swanson. lie told Inc that when
the man who assaulted me went back TO
where he was struggling with the man in
black, he struck him on the forehead with a
club. lie complained OF loss of blood and
went to drugstore TO have his wound
dressed. He said that he did not know the
man who had attacked bin, but stated that
he had handbook with him, and thought
that his assailants were trying 10 rob him.
The handbook calls for $3.50 deposited in
the German Savings Bank
DR.. r. i. Williams. who made an autopsy
OF the dead sailors body, testified that the
wound which he had received from the
clubbing had nothing TO do with his death.
DR.. +. Ii. Ma!tneT, who attended Swan
son, SAID he thought that a wound which
deceased had received upon his chest had
something TO do with producing the pneu-
mOnia which caused death. Swanson told
him that this wound was caused by blow
received from club in the hand of his as
sailant.
Officer James Cook then told his story of
the assault upon Swanson. lie said that
he was with a man named McKenna on the
morning Of May IA. He saw two men run
ming down Howard street, from Second
toward First. one of whom had two hats on
his head and bundle under his arm. He
told Mchenna that something was wrong
and said that he would stop the two
fellows. He asked the men where
they obtained the hats and the
foremost struck and knocked him
down. He took out his club and struck the
man on the left side of the head, and re-
ceiyed blow in. return. Two more blows
were exchanged between them. With Nc
kennR's assistance be took the man into
custody and started toward the Folsom
street station. About the middle Of the
block the prisoners friend appeared and
spoke TO the captive in foreign language.
The latter at once kicked Cook in the
stomach and he fell TO the ground, where ne
was kicked repeatedly by the prisoner. Me
Kenna struck Cooks sssailant twice with
his club, and the prisoner ran away and
finally disappeared.
bis friend were drunk at the time of the as
sault. Cook was asked why he did not ar
rest SwanSon's friend and replied that the
latter took no part in the ARRAY.
z. j. NeKenna, who is employed as an
extra driver on the police patrol wagons,
c0rrob0rated Cooks statement. and said
that while Swanson was kicking the pros
trate officer he dubbed him over the head
until the club broke in two. The two men
appeared 90 be sober.
No further evidence of Importance was
given to the jury
Three members of the jury found that
Swanson came To his death from double
pneumonia; and further found that death
was 'suDernduced by blows from the club
OF Officer Cook and Palrol-driyer Me-
kenna."
Six members of the jury found that Swan
sons death was "suDernduced by blows
from the club of the officer in the discharge
of his duty" This verdict was approved
by the Coroner.