The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15
He ACCUSES
WILKINSON
OF COWARD|CE
Kennedy Causes a
Sensation.
HIS LIFE WAS. THREATENED
EXCITING TIMES IN THE Po-
LICE COMMISSION.
Was Told That If He Took the Stand
Against His Companion
He Would Be
HIS LIFE WAS. THREATENED
EXCITING TIMES IN THE Po-
LICE COMMISSION.

A sensation was created at the meet
ing of the Police Commissioners last
night when officer Kennedy took the
stand and testified that Patrolman Will
kinson had threatened to kill him
If he gave evidence against the men
who deserted Lieutenant Burke when he
was shot and killed by Theodore Park
Haynes.
Kennedy Is one Of the policemen who
is accused of cowardice in allowing
Burke to be shot down in cold blood. He
testified that he and Wilkinson were in
formed that there was trouble at Haynes
cabin. They went to the place and were
met by the murderous tinker. He was
armed with two revolvers, one Of which
he held in his right hand. AS Kennedy
approached him Haynes pointed re-
volver and ordered him away I'M
der penalty of being made a subject for
the Coroner. Kennedy drew his revolver,
but not wanting to shoot Haynes no re-
Gould you have shot himr' inquired
Chief Lees, evidently for the purpose of
testing the craftsmanship of the officer:
1T could have riddled him with bullets, "
replied the witness, but was not anx-
ious to have his blood on my hands. I
retreated along with the other officers:
Burke then appeared on the scene and
Seeing his superior officer fall Kenne-
dy empted his revolver at Haynes, and
went for more ammunition. Meeting a
man named Waters, who had revolver
longing to Wilkinson, and taking 1t from
him continued firing at Haynes.
At this tuncture Wilkinson, who was
pale and trembling. begged the witness
might examine 1t.
for Gods sake, fire it OFF, he ex-
claimed. Captain Gillen might come
along and finding loaded cartridge in
the gun might accuse me Of cowardice."
During the examination in the Police
Court" continued the witness, 'Wilkin-
son accosted me while L was Vas standing IN
threatening manner said he would kill
anybody who testified against him.
1.-THE following day we met in the
taking out his revolver, proceeded to wipe
the dust off it with a handkerchief.
81 am determined to Kill the man who
i fes'if firm hold on his revolver and bran
dishing 1t in the air
Kennedy assured him that he would
tell the truth before the Commissioners,
no matter what 1t cost.
Then look out for yourself. threaten
who takes the bread and butter out of the
mouths of my wife and children must
II paid no attention to his threats, ;.
continued the witness, until several of
me If told the truth before the Com
missioners. At the Ocean View station
some time ago he told fellow-officer
that If took the stand against him he
would kill me. Evidently for the purpose
of creating trouble between myself and
Captain Gillen, Wilkinson a short time
ago informed him that l had referred to
him as --, did not use the
language attributed to me, and so con-
WINGED Captain Gillen. / was told that
Wilkinson, Marlowe and Merchant were
holding secret meetings for the purpose
of agreeing on the testimony they were
to give, and incidentally to give me the
worst Of 1t.
''They vainly endeavored to have me
attend their meetings, but as l was deter
mined to tell the truth, no matter what
1t cost, they frequently referred to me as
a coward and cur. / admit that / ran
away after my ammunition was ex-
hausted So did the others. Wilkinson,
after the first shot was fired, excitedly
exclaimed:
"'Oh, my God; we will all be killed."
Kennedy further said that he had Wis
tied the Seventeenth street station with
the intention of resgning a short time
after the shooting, as he believed that the
other officers were bent on combining
against him In the hope of forcing him
out of the department in order that he
might not testify against them.
Kennedy told his story in straightfor-
ward manner, and 1t was listened to with
rapt attention by the Commissioners
There were several other witnesses, but
their testimony was similar to that given
in the Police Court.