The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-08-15
GOLDING AVENGED.
Policeman L. Mott Loses
His Star.
CHARGED WITH BRUTALITY.
Patrolman MCGEE Exonerated-O Officer
Norton Dismissed for Calling
His Superior a Cur.

The last act of the drama that opened
at tho house OF Captain Thomas Golding.
613 Turk street, at midnight June 26, 1891.
was played last night in the chamber Of
the Police Commissioners. in the old City
Hall. and ended in the decapitation of
Patr0lmen Leon ana Mott.
The charge against Mott was that on
that night he went to the old navi-
gators house with warrant to obtain
stolen horse, which he had been told was
in the stable.
Captain Golding resisted his intrusion
because suspicious characters had been
lurking about the house during the even
ing, and he was not sure that the man with
the star was not one Of them. A struggle
ensued between the patrolman and the
seaman. and PatrolmAn MCGEE was sum-
moned. Captain GOlding's son appeared
pistol in hand. to take his fathers part.
and the captain used the saber worn by
him through the civil war TO defend HIM
self. Several shots were fired during the
fracas, one of which entered Captain
Golding's body and is there still.
He and his son were finally overpowered
and taken to the police station. The old
sailor was not permitted to put on his
shoes, but was hustled over the stones TO
the prison. He says that the vilest Ian
guage was used toward him and his aged
wife by the policemen
He was tried for assault to murder in
the Police Court and convicted, but ap-
pealed the case 10 the Superior Court and
was acquitted in March last.
Then he determined to punish Mott and
MCGEE and preferred charges against
them before the Commissioners. The ac-
cused justified their conduct on the ground
hat Nnrt ha6 n ba
by his superior officer, Sergeant Brdsal,
and that MCGEE had gone there in re-
sponse to a whistle. They tried to show
that GO,ding had resisted them after know.
ing that they were doing their duty and
that the bullet in his body had been dis
charged from his sons pistol, who was
shooting at them.
They also tried to prove that a search
warrant for the recovery of the horse sup
posed to have been in the Go lding stable at
the time had been issued.
Attorney Glib, who represented Captain
Golding. admitted that search-warrant
had been issued for horse in a stable on
days before Mott was sent to the Goding
house. He insisted that even if it had not
expired it could not have bee q used in any
place except that which was designated
uron it.
The policeman tried to prove that Gold
ing had been shot bv his son, yet his son
was from eight to ten feet distant when
the shots were FREQ. and his shirt was
burned by the explosion of the pistol that
sent the bullet into his BODY. Experts de-
clare that pistol will not burn or ScOrch a
body unless it is discharged within zine
inches Of the object How then could
young Golding's pistol have set fire to his
fathers shirt.
Mr.. Club show wed how Mott the witness
before the Commissioners had contradicted
the Mott who was witness in the Police
and Superior Courts. He thought it rather
strange that officers armed with pistols
and clubs had behaved so meekly while
attacked by men with swords and revol.
vers. and suggested that as candidates for
mem berShip in Christian Association
they might prove acceptable, but that they
would hardly do as policemen.
The language used by Mott. the attorney
declared. was most villainous, and should
have entitled the policeman to the appica-
ton of whip upon his bare back.
A strong plea was made for the defend
arts by Attorneys Dunno and Greer, who
pointed out some Inconsistencies in the
prosecution and quoted authorities to
show that the policemen were justified in
going to Goiding's house without war
rant.
tive session dismissed Mott from the force
ana exonerated MCGEE.
Patrolman Thomas Norton was dis
missed from the force for calling his SupP-
rior officer cur and puppy. and for ask
ing him to fight in a saloon where the dis
graced policeman was drinking on August
with female friend.
The charges made against Sergeant Bird
sail by Captain Golding a: the previous
meeting OF the Commissioners were with
drawn. He was blamed by the captain
for having sent Mott to his house without
warrant