The San Francisco call., 1913-08-04
TALE OF DWYER'S DEATH
Walter Castor Admits Shooting
Meant No Harm When
He Killed w. Dwyer
in Excitement


that killed William ]. Dwyer. but de-
nying that he fired with murderous
intent Is year old Walter Castor. in
the city jail yesterday afternoon
claimed that drink and excitement
caused him unwittingly to pull the
trigger Of the 5000 rifle, two bullets
from which entered the abdomen of
the plumber and caused his death a
few hours later
Held in jail in detinue with Walter
Castor are his younger brother, Arthur
and chum. Babe Shumaker, who
are undergoing investigation.
Castor says that late Saturday even
Ing he started to go down town with
friend. but in front of saloon at
Eighteenth and Castro streets they
met gang with whom they had been
drinking earlier in the day. A fight
was started. Castor claims he tried
10 run away. but was overtaken at
Eighteenth and Hartford streets and
severely beaten by Tom Mullen, Harold
Martin. Chris Ruse and Cherry Chase
After that he went to his home, 1872
Sanchez street, and almost immediately
after that his brother Arthur came
running in and said that he had been
attacked by the same gang. who were
then waiting outside. L ran out with
my rife says Walter Castor, and
fired several shots into the air to
frighten them away"
SHOTS ATTRACT POLICE
The shooting attracted the police and
they ran up the stairs, followed by a
crowd Castor says he climbed over
the back fence and ran up the back
stairs of the house in which William
J. Dwyer lived.
1t was then that Dwyer volunteered
to show the officers where Castor was
hidden behind the wash trays on the
back porch. Castor says he heard shots
fired and was so frightened and con-
FUSED by the noise and excitement that
he pulled the trigger of his rifle with
out knowing what he was doing.
Although nothing was said by the
police Sunday morning as to any shots
they fired, the detectives detailed on
the case say they found the marks of
bullets in the door. evidently fired
from outside by the police Whether
these shots were fired before or after
Dwyer was shot is not known. Castor
contends that they were fired before
he shot, and on that will possibly base
a plea of self defense.
After the shooting Castor surren-
dered himself. His brother Arthur and
Babe" Shumaker are held in detinue
pending the investigation and, if no
charge is laid against them, will proba-
bly, be held as witnesses.
FELL INTO BASEMENT
Another youth. Percy Kenealy. was
also arrested, and in his possession was
found a 80 caliber revolver with four
loaded shells and one empty shell
kenealy told the officers that he fol-
lowed the crowd upstairs and that when
DWyer was shot. he became so fright
ened that he fell over the railing
into the basement below. The sound
of shot attracted the officers and
Kenealy was placed under arrest. His
story, however. that his revolver was
| discharged in the fall was credited by
the detectives, and yesterday afternoon
he was released and permitted to go
home.
Dwyer, before he died. made a state
ment to the police. He said that he
walked 10 the screen door, intending
to open 1t to admit the officers. when
the shots We're fired from the laundry
Castor is the son of policeman who.
together with Patrolman FennelIy. was
killed at the Ferry building by Pran-
tfkos, Greek, who was a fugitive
from justice. The young man is known
as turbulent character and has been
in trouble before.
Dwyer, the man who was killed was
40 years old and unmarried. He was
a plumber by trade. He lived with
his sister, Mrs. Alice Ebbin ghausen
at 5000 Eighteenth street.