The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-06-06
FOR USING HIS UMBRELLA.
OF THE KILLING OF BURTON.

LONDON, June 5.-Dr. George Danferd
p. Thomas, Coroner, held an inquest to-
day upon the remains of George Burton,
the itinerant musician killed May so, in
Acton street, by General John Hewston
of California, who thrust the point of his
umbrella into Burion's left eye. PrseOm
Ricketts,. solicitor. represented General
Hewston, who was present.
Mrs. Burton, widow of the musician, did
not wish to see the body, but Identified the
clothing as having belonged to her hus-
band. Mrs. Burton said that she had been
married twenty-five years. aud for four
years had been separated from her hus-
band. They had four children, the young
est years old. Burton made his wife an
allowance of TO 8 shillings per week. He
earned his living as a musician. playing
outside of saloons.
Benjamin BOwring, a Vestry employe,
said as General HeWston passed his arm
struck a harp which WAS carried by one of
the N usicisns, when the general theTeupOn
gave the instrument a push, and Burton,
who was carrying tin whistle and stool,
said: "Why did you push that haTp?" To
this the general replied. cit hit me on the
arm" Burton remarked. "Y on had no
business to do that" The general there
upon exclaimed, Il will poke this in your
eye," at the some time raising his UNI
brella. Burton said do it," The gen.
eral then thrust the end of the umbrella
into Buttons eye, withdrew and walked
down the street. Witness said be turned
away his head as be felt sick. Soon after
ward he followed the general and said to
him: You shall not get away" Another
man shouted out: Collar himV Bow
ring added he then stopped the general
until the police arrived.
Upon cross-examin alton Bowring said
Burton carried a campstoOl which be
folded uD until it had the appearance of a
thick walking-stick. The man carrying a
harp was walking with Burton, and a
third musician was little way ahead of
his two companions. 1t had been raining
and the gener aPs umbrella was folded up
tightly. General Hewston, the witness
said, wore spectacles. The umbrella did
not go above the level of the shoulder. 1t
was thrust forward. Witness was quite
sure the general said, "Pll poke this In
your eye"
Solicitor Ricketts, remarked: THAT is a
different statement from the one you made
in the Police Court" According to Bow
ring, the whole incident occurred in one
minute and half
James Bryan gave important evidence
for Mr.. Hewston, saying he was walking
near the scene when he saw General
Hewston being iostled. The general. he
ADDED. endeavored to extricate himself,
and Burton raised the campstool in his
right hand as if about to strike. General
h. 10 ri
order to avoid the blow, stuck the ferule
10 the mans left eye. This witness also
testified that he heard by-stsnder remark
after Burton had been struck. "Thatserves
him right"
The umbrella and campstool were here
produced in court for the examination of
the Coroner'S jury
General Hewston was then called to the
witneSs-stand. He said that he was by
occupation an analytical chemist, and that
he had been in charge of the National
Guard of California for fourteen years.
He dwelled in San Francisco and was now
staying with his friend Mr.. Lorin A.
Lathrop, the United States Consul at
Bristol. who had come from the latter city
in order to be of service to him. On
Wednesday evening he, with the general,
was taking in Grays Inn road. Turning
into Acton street, | saw man." continued
Hewston. carrying a harp on his back,
the ends of the instrument stretching out
beyond his shoulders. We were both
walking rapidly and the harp caught my
shoulder and face. 1t did not hurt me a
bit, but impulsively pushed the instrn-
ment aside and walked on. l had gone
but a few steps when the deceased came
UP to me and asked why had pushed the
harp. l turned around and faced him.
Deceased said something and menacingly
raised the campstool in his right hand ]
said, Don't strike me, Sir
The deceased replied: 'Tll punch your
eyes and lunged at me. !, not intending
any harm, threw up my umbrella and ]
felt it touch the man. then turned and
walked away, not knowing that anything
serious had occurred. l had not gone
more than a few yards before some men
ran up and stopped me. saying: You've
knocked that mans eye OUT That
was the first intimation which l had re.
ceiveG thar anything serious had happened
AS some of the men who had run up ap
peared inclined to hold me, said: Leave
me alone, I'll wait for policeman
The Coroner summoned up lengthily and
said that the question of the jury to deter
mine was whether the death of Burton
was caused by misadventure or by man.
slaughter.
The COroner's jury returned a verdic
holding General Hewston guilty of man.
slaughter and added a rider saying the
jury did not believe the wound which
caused Burton's death was inflicted will
fully 1t Is believed he Will eventually bt
acquitted.