The San Francisco call., 1906-10-24
Sadie Williams Is
Fatally Shot by
Her Lover.

A running duel. with the life of an
1S-year-old girl at stake, was fought
on the Barbary Coast at dusk last even
ing in the presence of hundreds or per-
sons hurrying toward the ferry depot,
between william Johnson, ex-cavalry-
man, and four members of the san
Francisco police.
Johnson won through the fealty of
the girl whose life he was seeking Not
wishing TO see him shot, She made to-
ward him to shield him from the re-
volvers of the police. Johnson paused
for a moment in indecisicn. Then he
emptied the two remaining chambers
Of his 3S-caliber revolver into her and
fed, the police keeping up their fire as
he made of, finally capturing him unln-
5ured.
The presence of the police and the
part they took in the duel was acci-
dental Detective Sergeants Tom Glib
son and Steve Bunner had work on
the Barbary Coast last evening and
were standing talking to Patrolman
George Duffy at the corner of Pacific
and Kearny streets shortly before
O'Clock. when they heard screams.
Looking up Montgomery avenue toward
Broadway, they saw the girl running
before Johnson. who was firing at her.
POLICE BEGIN TO SHOOT.
All three pulled their revolvers and
made for johnson, who was close upon
the girl, and as she was crossing the
avenue and running in their direction.
Three shots rang out from Johnson's
pistol, and the police, seeing that he
was bent on killing the girl, ran toward
the west side OF the street and tried TO
get between them. Gibson began the
firing sending a shot toward Johnson
that grazed his left shoulder Bunner
and Duffy's revolvers then began bark
ing as Johnson was creeping up closer
TO the girl.
The run up hill spoiled the aim of the
hurrying police, and none Of their shots
took effect. Seeing this, Gibson, who
led the trio. hurried forward and fired
low Just as an answering shot at the
girl rang out from Johnson's weapon.
Gibson was in a moment Joined by
Bunner and Duffy. and the three
swerved diagonally TO cut on john
son. All three kept up firing, and the
bullets began to whirr about the mans
head.
II was then that the girl took the
move that surprised the police trying
10 save her. Pausing for moment,
she raised a hand TO her forehead and
acted as though hesitating between
fear and resolve. Down the street
She could see people leaving the cars
10 survey the scene from points of safe
ty She appeared TO be undecided as
70 which way she should turn, or what
she should do Another shot from
the revolver Of Gibson at Johnson, who
was creeping closer on the girl, aroused
her.
without pausing a moment, she ran
directly ward Johnson, doubling on
her tracks in such a manner as to COM
pIetely shield him from the pistols OF
Get out of THAR cried Bunner
Hes making ready TO fire again"
The girl glanced over her shoulder
made an attempt to smile and continued
running toward Johnson
Johnson came to a halt The hand
gripping his smoking pistol dropped
and for q moment the consummat'
fearlessness of the girl appeared Il
awe him.
II he ever was inclined to weaken
il was then. but the thought was over
a whelmed in his lust to play the thing
he had begun TO the end.
CoWARDLY SHOOTS GIRL.
He looked her over carefully. raise,
his revolver and fired. The shot tor,
through the right shoulder of the girl
She screamed. turned and was fleeing
toward the other side of the stree
when he sent another shot that lodge'
in her back near the heart She fel
10 the pavement and Johnson turne,
and ran down Montgomery avenu
with the police in pursuit.
Three more shots were sent afte