The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-02-17
Edward Mills, One of Brayest
Men on Force, Fatally
Shot
Thug Fires Through Coat When
AccOsted After RObbing
and Beating Victim
HigaWayman Caught Later Hid
ing in Lot in Turk
Street

While searching q holdup man at
Taylor street and Golden Gate avenue
shortly after II O'Clock last night Po-
Ecemsn Edward Mills, one Of the bra
vest men in the department, was shot
and probably fatally wounded BY the
thug. The latter ran along Taylor
street and Mills. though ready to fall,
pursued him and fred two shots as
he ran. The thug, who said he was
James Johnson. was found hiding in
the ruins at Turk and Taylor streets
few minutes after the shooting. He
admitted his guilt The shooting
was the sequel of robbery that had
been perpetrated 10 minutes before by
Johnson and companion at Jones
and O'FarreIl streets. F. Z. Thomp-
son. Z bar tender, was the victim He
was badly beaten and relieved of IS
and Z gold watch and chain
Mills was patroIling his beat when
e stranger approached and informed
him that johnson. who was standing
scross the street. had just held up a
man. Mills walked over 70 Johnson
and asked him II he had a gun. at the
same tine beginning TO search him
The thug. who had his hands in his
evercost pocket. fired through his coat
and then fed Though she buiset en-
tered ains right lung. he started in
pursuit and fred two shots at Johnson
before The fugitive disappeared around
the corner.
Weak from loss of blood. Mills en-
tered the central station I've been
sdot." he told Lieutenant Shea. at the
same tine opening his coat A moment
later Mills fell exhausted by the loss
Of blood
THUG SHOWS FIGHT
While the wounded policeman was
being cared for, Policeman Harry
Brs5g started in search OF the thug
re vas Joined BY Policeman Rooney,
who hurried from Mission street when
the district for several minutes the Of
hoers saw Johnson hiding behind a pile
Of bricks in lot at Turk and Taylor
streets.
Covering him with their revolvers,
she policemen warned the thug that
they would kill him II he made move
While being handcuned Johnson made
q desperate fight, but was quickly
overpowered and taken 10 the central
emergency hospital where he was
i6entihed by Mills.
While running from the scene Of the
shooting the Thug threw away his
overooat and revolver These were
subsequently found in Turk street near
Mason by Brsig and Rooney
TIE police are convinced that John
son and pal are the men who held
I'D and robbed Thompson at o'FarIeIl
and Jones street ten minutes before
KILLS was shot. z. " Dickson, con-
ductor on the O'Farrel street line
saw the holdup and later escorted
Thompson 10 a nearby hotel. from where
he was taken 10 the central emer-
eency hospital Tbompson's purse was
found in Johnsons pocket
Dickson's description tsllies exactly
with Johnson. Dickson described the
long overcozt and the white slouct
nat which johnson wore.
LOOK FOR OTHER THUGS
The police are now looking for John
sons companion and the man who in
formed Mills that he saw johnson hold
I'D 4 man . Few minutes before the
shooting
Johnson. who is q tough looking feI-
low. about 80 years old. admitted that
se shot Mills. but said that Re hac
merely intended 10 frighten him
Johnson denied that he had com
-.rton. He said he came here a few
5sxx sso from Los Angeles The police
f.elseve that hc is = member Of the
,otorious gang OF yeggmen who have
seen travelling through the state fOi
some Lint.
NILS is one OF the bravest and besi
rfksd men on the force Since his ap.
,.snrnent-fn July. 1901. he has showE
-zlor on many occasions About thre'
months ago. at the risk Of his life. h
~oxcved an aged man and little cir
from = burning hotel building at Stock
ton and Filbert streets
The physicians al the central emer'
zeDcy hospital are hopeful Of saving
fhe life Of the policeman. but they sale
,a<t night that he had but slighi
.hsnce. The bullet entered the rtgh
side. fnlbedding itself in the center O
the lung. Mills has a rugged consti.
tuition ma be nay recover