The morning call., 1894-06-01
HELD TO ANSWER
General HeWstOn Out on
Bail.
RESERVED HIS DEFENSE.
Strong Case Made Out by the
Prosecution.
BURTON WAS THE ASSAILANT.
The Distinguished Californian Says
He Has Witnesses to Establish
This important Fact.
BURTON WAS THE AssAILANT.

LONDON. May 21.-The American who
gave his name as General John HewstOn,
and VINO is charged with causing the death
of George Burton, an ltinerant musician,
yesterday by thrGstng the point of his
umbrella into the left eye of Burton, was
remanded to-day for one week. General
Hewston is about 60 years of age. he de-
scrlbes himself as a chemist. he was
charged with manslaughter in causing the
death of Burton. By direction of the
United States Cousul-General he was de-
Tended by Solicitor Ricketts,.
Benjamin Bowing testified that al 45
P. NJ yesterday be saw three street musi-
clans carrying a harp, tin whistle and
campstool across Acton street, Gray's Inn
road HewstOn was walking on the side
of the street toward which they were
coming. as the musicians passed the
harp caught in his arm and Hewston
thereupon pushed the maE carrying the
harp. who protested.
Hewstou replied; you hit my arm"
and holding up an umbrella, said: "Pl
poke your eye out with this"
The man carrying the campsteol re-
sDonded: "Wel, do it."
The general then thrust the umbrella
into the musicians eye and walked away.
Shortly afterward the police took the gen
eral into custody.
Upon crOsS-eXamination Ricketts, asked
Bowing whether the men carrying the
stool had not threatened the general with
it, remaTking: Il will poke your eye out
with this" Witness replied: 81 did not
hear him make such a remark. He held
M the campstoOl in a threatening manner
and the prisoner thrust his UMBRELLA very
quickly, his arm almost brushing my
face"
David Petber, one Of the musicians who
was in the company of Burton, testified
that he was carrying a harp and Burton a
TN whistle and a campstool General
HewstOn knocked against the harp and
then turned and deliberately thrust his
umbrella into Burton's face. The witness
Heard no previous conversation between
Burton and the general Burton certainly
dd not use any threatening words toward
the general nor did he threaten him with
the campstOol.
Sebastian George said that at the time
OF the collision between General Hewston
and Burton he was little in advance of
his companions. He heard murmurs, and
turning around saw the prisoner strike
Burton in the eye. Burton screamed with
pain and fell to the pavement with blood
pouring from bis eye. Hewston walked
of saying. "If you try to stop me l will
serve you the same" TINS remark was
made to a man near by. George asserted
that Burton was carrying the campstoOl
under his arm when be crossed the street,
Henry Atkinson, surgeon attached 10
the Royal Free Hospital, said the point of
the umbrella penetrated the brain. D-
Tectly the eye was removed Burton died.
Solicitor Ricketts, in applying for bail
on behalf Of Hewston said nobody re-
gretted the unfortunate occurrence more
than the prisoner, who was we'll known
in the United States and who for fourteen
years had been in charge of the National
Guard of California.
General P. a. Collins. United States
Consul In London, and Hon. L. A. Lath-
roD. United States Consul at Bristol, were
both willing to become sureties for the
appearance Of Hewston. The magistrate
remanded Hewston for a week and ac-
cepted bail to the amount Of $1,000.
General HewstOn stated before leaving
the Police Court that he had an lmportant
witness who will show that he acted in
seH-defense. The general is confident he
will be acquitted, as the autopsy, he saws.
clearly established the fact that the
wound must have been Inflicted acci
dentally.
The reporter Of the Associated Press
called upon General Hewston this after
noon and found him the guest of Lorin A.
Lathrop, United States Consul at Bristol,
at the lstter's temporary residence at
Kings Cross. Mr. LathrOp had FASTENED
to London from Bristol in order to assist
his friend. Mr. LathroD said the general
had been in London for two months past
for the purpose of carrying out an exten-
sive financial transaction, and was already
preparing to return home According to
Mr.. Lathrop, the evidence presented TO-
day was merely of a formal nature, and
General Hewston reserves his defense and
can produce several witnesses who will
fully confirm his own statement that be
acted in self-defenSe.
60 Mr.. LathTop said: General Hewstop
tells me the deceased held up a campstool
In bis right hand before him threatening
TO- strike. The general lifted up his um-
brella with the view of warding off the
blow. Before he was aware of it the
ferule had entered Burton's eye"
General HewstOn depends greatly upon
the results of the autopsy tomorrow or
Saturday, which his friends are onfdent,
with the testimony Of eye-witnesses. will
exonerate the general and lead to his
speedy liberation. General Hewston's
wife, who is in San Francisco. has had full
details of the unfortunate occurrence
cabed to her.
The United States Consul.General in
this city, 7. a. Collins, upon being notified
of The arrest Of General Hewston did all
he could for him, going far beyond any
professional duty. MIR. Lathrop referring
to General Hewston's probity said his
reputation was so high that the gold
bars which he refined at his works were
the only bars accepted in the Bank of
England without reassay.
SYMPATHY AT HOME.