The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-11-10
CRUELTY STAYS
N0N-UN|0N Man
Unknown Assassin Kills
Otto M. Ekberg With
Piece Of Pipe.
Deals Murderous Blow and
Then Smiles at His
Bloody Deed.

Bloody Deed.
Otto M Ekberg, non-union teamster,
was cruelty murdered last evening at
Third and Townsend streets. He was
struck on the head with gaspipe fully
two feet long by some unknown man.
Shortly after z o'clock Ekberg left the
barn of his employers. on Townsend
street, and was proceeding along Third
tsreet when his murderous assatlant
sneaked up behind him and struck the
fatal blow. After the unfortunate man
had fallen to the ground, face downward,
the assassin turned his body over and
took a good look at him. With satisfied
smile, though pleased with his bloody
work. the man ran down the street and
made his escape. The assassin had hard
last.
Witnessed the Murder.
The only witness to the murder was
Mrs Alma Miller of 30 Clyde street. She
on her to here Hsr 1Se
tragedy Is as follows:
II was walking along Third street when
noticed man following the one who
was killed. l noticed the fellow take
piece Of pipe from under his coat. and.
sneaking up behind his unsuspecting vic
tim. strike him terrible blow on the
"As the man who 1 now know was Elk
berg fell lifeless to the ground the MUIR
d S turned the body , over az, and too took a
t'nke complete satisfaction the assassin
Tao" the gas pipe away and ran along
Rich street toward Brannan. l do not
think l would be able to identify him IL
he is arrested. He appeared to be young
man and wore q dark suit of clothes. He
had his coat collar turned up and wore
his hat-a dark SLOUGH one-pulled down
over his eyes. He evidently did not think
anybody was looking at him. as he Gid
not appear in any great hurry to leave
the scene"
Ekberg Shot Striker.
During the big strike Ekberg was given
ster. While he and another Ion-unlon
man we're walking along Grant avenue
about two weeks before the strike was
settled they encountered over twenty
union men. who at once attacked them.
Ekberg and his friend drew their revolt
vers and fired Into the crowd. wounding
one of the attacking party In the leg. lie
was arrested for the shooting, but it
was shown that he had acted In self &C.
Tense he was released. Since then Ekberg
lived in fear OF being MANNED or killed
by the men at whom he fired the shots.
AS soon as the murder was reported TO
Captain Seymour he sent Detectives Tom
Gibson and Hammilf to the scene. They
made a thorough investigation. but were
unable 10 get any trace OF the murderer.
Q .
, offering a reward for the arrest OF King.
Detective Gibson stated yesterday that
some of the directors of the Pacific Vino
gar and Pickle Works had approved the
circular before IL was printed.
1t was learned yesterday evening that
| King arrived in the city few days ago
and that he had been seen around town
| during the week That he will be prose-
cuted seems unlikely, judging from the
indifference OF the Pacific Vinegar and
Pickle Works.
Secretary Schumacher. of the Pacific
| Vinegar and Pickle Works stated yestcr-
day that he could not say whether or not
King would be prosecuted on the charge
| er) had sworn to last year.
THE matter rests with the directors"
he said. and until they meet / cannot
say anything in the matter.
When Schumacher was asked IL King
] had not made settlement with the Pa
ciic Vinegar and Pickle Works. in order
| TO avoid prosecution. he answered.
at may be that II has been done. but I
| do not know OF II. Perhaps some of our
| directors may have done this. but IL so II
/ has not been reported TO me. cannot
] give any further Information on the mat
ter until / am authorized TO do so by the
directors OF my company"
Attorney Highton's Explanations.
Attorney Henry E. Highton stated last
evening that King never had any reason
| to leave San Francisco. and that he had
! been accused of offenses Of which he was
perfectly innocent
King was secretary In name only OF
| the California Packing Company" said
! Attorney Highton, land was not con-
cerned in the manipulations of Cote, the
i president of the company. The books of
| the Pacific Vinegar and Pickle Company
disclosed an overdraft of about $1,000.
King was OF a nervous nature and he
fled from the city when he should have
remained. 1t is possible that he miglt
have cleared up many OF the dscrepan-
cies in the books of his firm There will
be no prosecution on the charge of steal
ing $780, on which King surrendered him
self to-day.
THE Pacific Vinegar and Pickle Com
pany secured Judgment against him In the
sum OF $1,000 to reimburse Itself on the
overdraft. On an execution the company
obtained possession OF Kings library and
valuable data Of the early days OF Cali
fornia, which he inherited from his faith
err. The execution has not been sufficient
to satisfy the judgment but the company
possible that King can explain many de-
tails and reduce the amount Of the over
draft. King was always devoted to his
| family and when not at his business he
was at his home
He never visited racetrack in his life
ard was never known to gamble or dss!-
pate. 1t Is unfortunate for him that he
| left San Francisco. IL he had remained
every charge against him would have
| been cleared up. He has not been guilty
of any criminal action, and the most that
can be said against him Is that he was
| careless in his business methods / hav.
been told many times by the Judge who
issued the warrant against him and by
A. e.. A. Dol a.