The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-04-03
COLEMAN To FACE
CHARGE Of MURDER
Partner of His Victim SWOre
Out Complaint Monday
Morning.
HAT OF DEAD MAN
FOUND ON TIE LAWN
Larsen Had Been Drinking
With Friends at 0'Reil-
ley's Saloon.

NltM TTleuGS dl " Rtll-
ley's Saloon.
Anthony Juston Coleman. who on Sun
day morning shot and killed John +.
Larsen In the grounds where the city
and county Building is located, will face
charge OF murder.
Monday morning Z. c. Henderson, who
was a partner OF the dead man, swore
out a complaint against Coleman. for
mally charging him with murder.
Negro Unnecessarily Frightened,
Further investigation into the tragedy
shows that beyond doubt the negro, Cole
man. the man who fired the fatal shot.
was unnecessarily frightened about Lar
sens actions, and that had he stopped
to reason that man acting as Larsen
probably did. was not out to hold people
up. and that II Coleman, when he became
alarmed at Larsen's actions on the north
west corner of the building. had gone out
Of the south entrance, instead of con-
tinuing toward the southeast corner OF
the grounds. the sad afrair would not
have happened
Hat Is Found.
What throws more light on the ques-
ton than ans other one thing Is the find-
ing OF Larsen's hat Sunday morning. The
hat lay In about the middle OF the lawn
on the northwest corner of the grounds,
or about twenty yards north Of the foun-
tain
Had Been Lying Down.
This Is very close TO the spot where
Coleman stated TO the officers that no
had first seen Larsen standing behind
tree Right where the hat laid can be
plainly seen the marks the grass
where Larsen had undoubtedly been ly,
ing down. The grass was beaten and
looked as though some one had been roll
Ing about on II.
Drank During Evening.
Larsen had been drinking during the
evening with friends. Those who were
with him at the O'Rellly saloon at 327
South State street, say that Larsen was
not intoxicated, he had been drinking
nothing but beer and not enough of that
TO render him unable To take care OF
himself, They say, however. that he had
spent considerable time at the saloon
each bought several rounds Of drinks
Usual Route Home.
From the marks on the lawn and the
fact that no was without his hat when
Coleman first met him, 1t is evident that
he was taking his usual route home
through the city and county building
grounds and that he either became sick
or stupehed from the beer that he had
drunk and lay down on the lawn.
Left Hat on Lawn.
Judging from the time he left the sa-
loon he must have been lying there an
hour more, and when his stupor wore
of TO some extent he got up and started
for home, without noticing that he had
left his hat the lawn.
According 10 the statement Of Coleman
he received reply from Larsen when
he asked him. after they met again ut
the southwest corner OF the building
what 1t was he wanted. showing that
Larsen was probably still in a daZed
condition, and unable to think or act In
a rational manner.
Larsen Native of Utah.
Larsen bears good reputs tlon in this
city. where he was born and had lived
all his life. For the past six years he
has been associated with F. C. Henderson
In the commission business. Mr.. Hender-
son states that in all the time that he
has been associated with Larsen he has
never known him to become intoxicated
though he was III the habit of drinking
glass of beer occasionally.
No Desire to Quarrel
Mr. Henderson says that Larsen was
OF an unusually sunny disposition. never
allowing himself TO lose his temper, and
Of his way TO avoid a quarrel rather than
10 mix up in one.
Adopted by John Larsen.
Larsen, whose name originally was
Frederlckson. was adopted when he was
quite young by John Larsen. who is stll
and took the name of his adopted par
ent- He was known among his friends
as being a very Industrious and hard
working man. His family life is said to
have been model one.
Wife Is Frustrated.
The sad news was broken to the wife
and family at O'Clock Sunday morning
by Mr.. Henderson, his partner. and his
Mrs. Larsen. who is In very delicate
health, and she swooned when her hus-
bands death was announced
Was Happily Married
Mrs. Larsen Is Utahn. having been
born in Manti and met Larsen seven
teen years ago while on visit in this
city They were married short time
after they nat, and Mrs. Larsen stated
today that she doubted II there wero
many nam women 91N who j., had had as happy
that In all the seventeen years of mar
rted life her husband never once spoke
cross word TO her and that he seemed
10 think first OF his wife and the chill
dren In everything.
Had Presentiment.
Mrs Larsen says that she has often
had a presentiment that something OF
this kind would happen. and often begged
night when he was detained up town TO
late hour. and that he often times did
do so.
Saturday morning when Larsen left
home he rold his wife that he would be
at the office pretty late, and for ner not
60 worry. Mrs, Larsen says that she
supposed when he did not return that he
had been detained later than usual and
had decided TO stay at the office
Usually Rode Home
The Larsens formerly lived on Eighth
South. near State, and Mr. Larsen was
always in the habit OF taking the car at
night as Mrs. Larsen felt much safer
Since moving to. Fifth East street he had
given up riding home. but often made
the remark that he would like TO see
some one try to hold him up as he
would try TO lay the fellow out
Larsen was a member of the Fraterr,1
Union and had insurance for $1,000 in that
order. besides a policy for s1000 In th