Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-08
A REMARKABLE CONFESSION
Youthful Criminal Tells How Murde RS
Were Committed

Were Committed
By Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 7.-Admitting
their part in three murders of incom-
parable brutality and several robberies.
for one of which an innocent man was
sent to the penitentiary for fifty years,
Louis Dabner, youth of Is years,
almost fresh from high school, and ].
HI. Siemsen, Kanaka and ex-convict,
have In confessions which for dramatic
Intensity exceeded anything in the
criminal annals of San Francisco,
cleared up the mystery surrounding the
perpetrators of a series of crimes that
caused reign of terror in San Fran
cisco and startled the entire country.
Urged on by. his broken hearted
father, who with tears streaming down
his face appealed to the boys love for
his mother and to his religious train
ing. young Dabner finally broke down
and little by little related to Captain
of Detectives Duke and Chief of Police
Dfnan the amazing details of how he
| and Siemsen murdered and robbed
Johannes Pfitzner in his shoe store at
| 969 McAllister street, beat William
| Friede to death with window sash
weight in haberdashery store on
Market street, robbed the Japanese
bank of $420O,. killing the manager, e.
Murakata, with a piece Of gas pipe;
beat A. Sasaki, clerk, insensible and
committed several holdups, among them
that of DR.. T. w. B. Leland. for which
James Sutton was convicted and SEN
fenced to San Quentin for fifty years.
At times the boy, his father and older
brother who was present would break
down utterly and weep convulsively in
each others arms.
Because of these frequent interrupt
tions the boy vas two hours telling his
story. So dramatic and intense became
the scene at times as the father fell on
his knees pleading with and praying for
his son that even the hardened police
officials were visibly affected.
Confirms Confession
Last nights Dabners confession was
read to Siemsen, and he was then con-
fronted with Dabner and the latters
father and brother. Siemsen confirmed
Dabner's confession in every respect
adding to 1t many details and enacted
for the benefit Of the police and the
newspaper men present the several
crimes which the two had committed.
With no signs of bravado and a
naturalness that amazed the police,
Siemsen related how he met Dabner
and how he became attached to him,
but for the youths good told him ne
was former convict with whom he had
better not associate; how the boy ac-
companied him and saw Siemsen do
several "jobs," and finally expressed a
wish to join, despite Siemsen's warn
ing: "Some day we will get caught.
1t never fails. Don't deceive yourself
that we will always ecape, so be pre-
pared"
All of this was confirmed by young
Dabner, who sought to be choice and
delicate In the use of his words and
objected to the word assault"
'It is vulgar" said he. ''I don't like |
it. I think 1t would be better to say
overpower."
Both denied that there was any elabo-
rate planning of the murder of Pfitzner
and Friede, but declared that 1t was
done on the impulse of thu moment. |
Dabner stated Siemsen suggested rob-
bing Pftzner as they walked past the
store. They picked up a heavy window
weight in the ruins, returned to tho
store where Siemsen dealt Pfitzner a |
blow while he was trying on a pair of
shoes on Dabner. They got 800. Pfitz-
ners watch was thrown into the bay.
Friede's Murder
This was followed by the brutal MUIR
der of Friede, who was killed with a |
piece of gas pipe by Siemsen while
Dabner was trying on coat. The con-
fession next tells OF the Japanese bank
robbery and the killing of Manager
Murakata. and how Sasaki, the clerk,
was struck again and again before he
was left for dead.
Siemsen, from his share Of the $4,000
stolen from the bank, paid $3.50 for
diamond engagement ring for Hulda
Won Hofen, the 16-year-old daughter
of respectable Jewess, whom he mar
ried last week without her parents
cor-ent and who had no knowledge OF
his true character.
Slemsen stated that he is the son of
wealthy Hawaiian planter who dis 4
owned him because Of his incorrigible
habits. He steadfastly refused to give
his fathers name, admitting that Stem
sen is not his true name.
Semsen is well educated and claims
to have graduated from military 1
academy In Honolulu. He is an artist,
musician and has numerous other
accomplishments. The police declare
him to be the most remarkable criminal |
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