The San Francisco call., 1897-07-08

der on the entry book at the City Prison.
In view of the fact that me m bers of the
Young Peoples Society of Christian En-
deavor have focKed by the hundreds,
even thousands. about the City Hail. Re-
ceivlng Hospital and Jail during all of
yesterday. Knott, the only accused MUIR
derer since their arrival here, is assuming
the i'm portance of a criminal star.
The visitors are generally escorted by
friends or mem bers of committees, who
give them the best there is to be had, and
the newest in that line is Knott. Hence,
the prison officials are at their wits end,
trying to tell and retell the story of the
killing of Knauer without deviating so
much from the facts that it might inter
fere with the interest in t yarn.
The result is that undue requests are
made to see the prisoner, who walks out
OF his cell bow ed down with premature
age and grief. He is but so years of age
and weak minded. He weeps at all times,
whether consolation is given or not. and
sleadfasty ad heres to his declaration that
he did not shoot Knauer.
Knott is native of Spain, but his early
years to young manhood were spent in
France. In 1872 he came TO this count try,
where he located in Wyoming. His hab-
long legged boots stuck to him when he
came to California some ten years ago.
He made his livelihood By selling his
medicines on the streets, claiming all
sorts Of rejuvenating properties for hair
restorer.
To listen to the tale he tells now in re-
gard TO the Knauer affair, he never shot
off pistol i'll his life. True enough, he
knew Knauer. but he never felt aggrieved
rN rx,tth II i
m ore than utter malediction.
AS against this Knauer stated to the
newspaper men on Tuesday night that
Knott had followed him from his barber
shop at 80 Third street into Stevenson
street, where he shot him in the bowels.
Then again yesterday morning, when
Knauer was at the point of death, he
pointed out Knott as the man who shot
him. On this occasion Knott cried like
child and pleaded, Joe, tell the truth;
you know it wasn't me-"
Yes you're the man!' exclaimed
Knauer; you followed me, and you shot
me-"
This statement was made immediately
after an extreme operation performed by
Drs We'll and Rhine, during which it was
found that the man was fatally wounded.
The moribund was made aware OF his con-
ditIon before he made this statement.
Professor Knotts statement is to the ef-
feet that he was in the company of Jacob
Metzger, cigar-dealer at Powell and
O'Farrell streets, during the evening at
different times, and especially when the
shooting took place. He also spoke to
Special Officer Phil Potts, at about the
same time.
These statements, however, cannot be
verified.
Policemen Ryan and O'Dea, who ar
rested Knott Tuesday night, found a
leather holster in Knots room at 7
William street, yesterday, but have been
unable to find the revolver
In answer to an inquiry as to why he
should be accused of doing the shooting
by man who was about to die, Knott
wept and said he did not know, excepting
thas nearly three years ago he had caused
the arrest of Knauer for striking him
over the head with cane,
This beating, so says Knott, was the
outcome If quarrel of u few dnvs pre.
vious, when knauer throw his (Knotts)
little dog into the bay at North Beach.