The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-04-11
Officer of the Law Kills a Despe-
rate Maniac.
SELF DEFENSE is CLAIMED
Coroner Sparkling VIII Make mn Of
and Circumstances Which Indi-
cate That the Dead Man Il MI
chael HammfI. who Held Up Con-
stable barrow Last Saturday.

A tragedy occurred at Sunnydale. twelve
miles southeast Of this city, early last
evening, III which one man lost mis- life.
He was a maniac, and constable shot
aim in self-defense. There is hardly
doub; that the dead man Is Michael Ham,
mil and that his slayer is Constable OAR
row.
Meager particulars reached Coroner
Sparkling last night. TIE messenger who
dashed into Cfaussen 4 Sweeney's brew
cry. al Georgetown. simply said:
The constable has killed crazy man at
Sunnydale IN seIf-defense, and the coro-
ner is wanted
This message went first 10 police head
quarters at o'clock, and finally reached
Coroner Sparkling from Bonney & Stew
arts undertaking rooms. /, took two
| hours 10 trace the case down and locate
the telephone from which the message
originally came In the meantime. the
man who brought the news had started
back to Sunnydale
Through an investigation at Georgetown
scraps of infornatio were obtained which
Indicate that Hammil intended 10 murder
barrow. but that he was too sir " with his
revolver, and the officer shot him. One
statement was 20 the effect that the
crazy man" was after Darrow's life, but
that barrow was too quick for him.
Coroner Sparkling decided TO postpone his
official investigation Until this morning.
The body will lie brought 10 the city. WHAT
action will be taken regarding the con-
stable cannot be stated at this time, owing
10 the fact that the story is one-sided.
Coroner Sparkling says that he has little
doubt Michael Hammil was the enc kill
ed. and that Constable barrow fired the
shot. Occurrences Of the past few days.
taken in connection with the sentence,
Constable killed a crazy man in seif-de-
fense." give the key to the situation.
Hammil is known as the Sunnydale ma
MAC, and has been considered danger
Gus man for long time. He lived in a
cabin in the woods. and was always on
the watch for imaginary enemies. He Is
said to have been always heavily armed.
Last fail he became 50 violent that Off
cial complaint was made. Deputy Sheriff
A G.. Lane now city detective. Wen; out
after him. Lane managed 10 get within
speaking distance of Hammil, who was
armed. and managed 10 make Hanlmil be-
lieve he was his best friend. Lane per-
suaded Hammii that he had better come
TO the courthouse on the following day 10
see about prosecuting mis- enemies. When
Lane returned and said that Hamniil
would come himself ne was laughed at,
bat Hammil did come, armed to the teeth.
He was disarmed and subsequently sent
TO the asylum.
living az SunnyGale reported Saturday that
he was source of danger. He was rep
resented as keeping watch fires burning
constantly near his cabin. and firing at
imaginary enemies. Constable barrow
procured a warrant for Hamnils arrest
on the charge Of insanity, and Went after
him. Hammii is said to have come aions,
as FAR as Georgetown, where he suddenly
produced revolver and held up The con-
stable. The argument was SO unexpected
and strong that barrow started back for
Sunuydale. Hammii did not come to Seat
tie, so il was presumed that he returned
To Sunnydale also.
The presumption is thar Constable OAR
row went after Hanmii again yesterday.
Both were armed, and Hammii, II is sup
posed, attempted 10 XIII the constable but
was not quick enough and fell mortally
wounded. As near as could be learned
the constable vas In charge OF the body
las. night.