The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 9, 1897, Page 16

16 THE SA FRANCISCO CALL, SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1897. TWO OFFICERS OF THE QUEEN WILL BOARD THE SWANHILDA They Are Confident That Frank Butler, the Murderer, Cannot Possibly Make His Escape. COLONIAL MAN-HUNTERS | ARRIVE. James McHattie and M. A. Conroy Consult With Chief Crowley. STORY OF TWO MURDERS RELATED. Victims Who Were Lured to Lonely Spots and Then Cruelly Assassinated. Some time within the next fifteen or twenty days the Swanhilda, a four-masted barx, now forty-seven days out from New- castle, Australia, will come sailing renely toward the Golden Gate. With the first signal of its having been sighted, officers have been chasing the red-handed murderer, and now they find themselves anuncertain number of days ahead of their man, and in those days all sorts of un- looked-for things may possibly happen. The two officers—James McHattie and M. A. Conroy—arrived in this City from Victoria, B. C., by the Oregon express yesterday afternoon. Alter registering at a downtown hotel, and effacing the stains of trevel they at once called upon Chief Crowley, and the two eager man-hunters were closetea with the Chief and Captain Lees for about an hour. 1f any plans were laid for the capture they were not di- vulged. ““‘We are in the hands of Chief Crowley,” saia McHattze, the seniorofficer. *‘Every- thing will be left to his judement.” This man who speaks so modestly of his plans is by no means a novice in the pro- fession of criminal pursuit, and thereis a determined glean in his small deep-set eyes that suggests a bulldog tenacity. He is regutarly attached as detective to the Sydney police department, but he is stationed at Newcastle, N. 8. W. This seaport is much frequented by the crimi- nal classes, and it is from this port that fugitives from justice most often attempt to escape. For this reason the post is considered an important one. Conroy, McHattie's Zcompanion, is a much younger man, and of decidedly lim- A.T. O. PRESTON, | The young mineralogical student, whose | body was found in the Blue Hills. But-| ler is supposed to have been his mur- | derer. | CAPT. LEE WELLER, The retired sea captain, who met his| death at the hands of the fiend who is supposed to be now sailing toward this City. a police tug will steam out to meet the | incoming bark, snd in a few hours Frank Butler, alias Harwood, the fiendish mur- | derer of the Blue Hills, will be in custody if—it is that *i.” that will worry the local officers considerably and the representa- tives of her Majesty Queen Victoria a great deal. | Since the 12th of December the Colonial | ited experience as an officer. He is par- ticularly valuable in the present chase, bowever, as he knows the quarry weli | enough to penerate any diseuise. In- deed Conroy thould know Butler, for nothing but an accident prevented the young officer from being one of the mur- derer’s victims. How this came about was described by Conroy as foliows: ‘It was in September last that I was first directed to Butler by a friend of mine who had met him. Tkat was before I was on the force. Ihad a meeting with Butler, and he wished me to join him ina prospecting expedition. At ‘the time he told me he bad a claim near Albany for which hehad been offere:| £3000. He said if he got £5000 he would take it. I was tosee him in afew days and give him a definite answer. “Events in the meantime made1t im- practicable for me to go, and I so informed him. Later he told me be had sold his mine for £5000, and if I had gone with him I could have had balf. e said he was sorry I had not gone, ard I told him I was sorry too.” Conroy makes no pretense that he sus- pected Butler at the time, and as the in- ducements held out to him to accompany the fiend were the same that lured Lee Weller and Preston to their fates, he has ample cause to have changed his mind about regretting not having gone on the expedittion, 1t is a singular coincidence that Conroy ‘was appointed on the police force of Syd- ney the very day that Butler was setting sail from Newcastle, though at that time the murders were not known. The crimes of which Butler is known to be guilty are not nearly so numerous as at first reported. 1In fact McHattie savs that there is no ground for the rumor that he committed fourteen murders, other than the desperate character of the man. He is known to have committed only two, but these were perpetrated with a willainous deliberation that makes it seem probable that many more yet undiscovered may have been committed in the same manner. Both of the murders for which the offi- | cers are now anxiously awaiting the arri- | val of Butler were committed in October. | The first-body found was that of Captain | Lee Weller, a retired sea captain, who had been a resident of Australia since 1886, when he arrived from England with his wife, who afterward died. He was well connected in England, though he was not thought to have a great deal of wealth at the time of his death. Captain Weller was attracted to Butler by an advertisement which the latter had pucina Sydney paper. Ltread: “Wanted— A mate t0 go on a prospecting tour; must have £10.” Captain Weller left Sydney with Butler, | who was afterward 1dentified as his com- | panion by persons who lived in the same [ house with Weller from a ptoiograph of | Butler, and nothing was secn of him for | three weeks. Then his friends became suspicious. Search parties were instituted and the pair were traced to a little station |in the Blue Hills, a desolate strip of | country about forty miles from Sydney. A few miles away the remains of a de- serted camp were found, and clew by clew Weller's fatal journey was traced | until his body was found with a wound | through his head where the cowardly as- sassin had shot Lim from the rear. | In the meantime it was reported th1t O. | T. G. Preston, a young student of miner- | alogy, who had recently come from | Queensland, where he had well-to-do par- | ents, was also missing. The force of | searchers in the Biue Hills was increased. | Inch by inch the tangled underbrusi of | the wilderness was searched, and at last, | buried beneath three inches of clay, the | body of the missing man was founa. The announcement of the finding of the second body brought the excitement in | the colonies to a fever heat. The Blue Hills were alive with eager and ferocious searchers for the murderer. Everv avail- able hiding-place was explored, but the | search for the bodies had been a matter of | weeks, and already the murderer was speeding over the waters away from the scene of his crimes. The attention of the police was first at- | tracted to Butler, or Harwood as he was | sometimes known, by discovering that he had inserted advertisements in the papers similar to_the one which had lured Cap- | tain Lee Weller to his fate. A photograph of Butler was procured and the residents | in the house where Lee Weller had lived | readily recoenized it as a picture of tie | man who had left with the dead captain. From then on it was an easy matter to trace the murderer. On November 13 Butler had arrived at Newcastle. Here he had the temerity to place an advertisement in a daily paper, similar to the one which had proved Lee Weller's undoing. The foolhardiness of this move probobly aawned on him Iater, for he did not call at the office for replies. While at Newcastle he assumed the name of his victim, Weller, and to the proprietor of the Sailors’ Home, at which he stayed, he exhibited the captain’s certificate of thie NEW An Authority Whom all will Delight to Honor Golden Gate Kindergarten Association, MRS. SARAH B. COOPER, PRESIDENT, 4902 VALLEJO STREET. San Fraxcisco, CaL, Feb. 3, 18go. You ask me if I know anything about the Rovar BARING POWDER, and if I consider it free from all adulteration. I am glad to be able to assure you that I know, both from experience and from a chemical analysis, that the RovAL BAKING POWDER is a pure, wholesome and dependable article. Knowing the pernicious effects of deleter- ious ingredients used in the preparation of food, especially in that indispensable article to every family—BREAD—I have taken great pains to ascertain what I could safely use in my own home, and recommend to the many mothers with whom I constantly come in contact in our work among the children. BakinG POWDER as a boon to the household and a benediction to the race. I regard the Rovar Very sincerely yours, FRANK HARWOOD (Alias Butler). dead mariner as his own. On the 23d of November he shipped on the Swanhilda as an able ‘seaman, stiil going under the name of Lee Weller and exhibiting the | latter’s discharge in order to secure his | berth, Detective McHattie does not believe that Butler had any money to speak of when he set sail. He was shabby and | gave evidence of being almost destitute. | Butler had been some time on his way | beiore the crimes were traced to him, ana it was not until December 12 that Mc- Hattie and Conroy set sail. They, how- ever, went by a fast mail steamer, and hence have time to spare. Since their de- parture they have learned that another man named Lesea is missing and is sup- | posed to be a victim of Butler. The detective does not believe Butler has any chance whatever toescape. *‘The | Swanhilda,” be said, “isa well-equipped | and strong ship. Itis very unlikely that she will touch at any port on Ler way up.” In case she shouid, however, the | officers at every point where information | could pe transmitted have been notified to | be on the alert. The story which appeared | in the Hawalian Star to the effect that | Butler had been seen there soon atter the | arrival of the Mariposa McHattie declared | to be without any probable or possible | foundation. ©Of Butler’s antecedents little is known. | He is thought to have visited the colonies | in 1893, where he arrived from Cape Town, | Africa. He did not remain long in Syd- ney on that occasion, and he is known to bave been in West Australia for some | time. Several mysterious disappearances which occurred in that region are now at- tributed to him. The murderer's per- | sonal appearance is said to be repulsive { in the extreme. The photograph of him brought by the detectives, they declare, flatters him greatly. l If he has been convicted or implicated Mr. Echroeder, Mr. Schlietan and Mr. Petzold Volunteered to ct as an executive committee, It was decided to earnestly protest against locating the proposed Pesthouse on the Alms- house Tract, and the secretary was instructed to draw up a resolution to that effect. The club will meet Thursday evenings at 12 Dan- vers street. CANNOT BE RETURNED, Medal Funds Are Not Under the Control of the Board of Educa- tion. Since the Board of Education stopped the giving of medals in the public schools for meritorious work the question of what should be done with the funds that had been donated to purchase trophies has been a vexed one. Some of the members of the otd board desired to return the funds to the donors, inasmuch as_they were not 1n use for the purpose originally intended. The most important of these funds are two of $2000 each, piven by Samuel J. Bridge and James Denman. In order to ascertain its rightsin the matter the board referred it to the City and County Attornev, who rendered an ovinion yesterday. He found that as the funds were placed under the control of the Mayor, Auditor and Treasurer the board had no right to dispose of them in any way. With regard to the medal funds of the Lin- coln Grammar, John Swett Grammar, Broad- way Gremmar and other schools, raised by ex- hibitions and_entertainments given by such schools, the Boara of Education would not, in my opinion, have any anthority to dispose of such funds.” These funds are under the man- agemeni and control of the persons having possession of them, and are trust funds, for the benefit of the pupils of the particular schools for which they were created. They conld not, JAMES McHATTIE. M. A. CONROY. James M¢Hattie is the experienced Newcastle detactive who is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Swanhilda and Butler. Conroy is the young Sydney officer who narrowly escaped being one of Butler's victims, but who is now his pursuer. in other crimes the Queen’s officers bave as yet been unable to ascertain it. . Just when the Swanhilda will arrive it is, of course, impossible to say. She left Newcastle on November 23, and her last trip occupied fifty-nine days. Depznding entirely upon the wind for motive power, the day or even week of ber arrival 1s un- certain. In the meantime John Roach, one of Australia’s most successiul detec- tives, is speeding across the water from London, whither he has been to have the Home Office prepare the necessary ex- tradition papers. When the Swanhilda arrives everything promises to be in waiting for a most cor- dial reception to her distinguished seaman. “Will you take Butler back to Svdney with you, Mr. McHattie?” was asked. “If we are lucky,” was the reply, with a grim smile which didn’t look as if he was going to leave it ali to luck. Eureka Valley Improvement Club. At alargely attended meeting of the prop- erty-owners of Eureka Valley last Thursday evening an improvement club was Organizea and the following were chosen officers: Presi- dent, Samuel Wyatt; vice-president, Henry Schroeder; secretary, 8. N. Norton; treasurer, . The name of the club is h Valiey Improvement Club. Mr. Wyatt, Mr. Brown, James Quinn, Mr. Mibach, even if such a thing were practicable, be re turned to the persons contributing thereto, cither by & sum of money or the purchase of tickets for entertainents, except by proper procecdings in a court of equity to termizate the trust. — THE STATE FLORISTS. An Interesting Meeting Held Yester- day at the Palace Hotel. The regular montbly meeting of the members of the State Floral Society took place in Maple Hall of the Palace Hotel at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. E. J. Wickson, the president, occupied the chair, and there were present E. 8. Smith of Palo Alto, the secreiary; Mrs, Ausun B. Sperry, Mrs. Hodgskins and many others who bave for some years given their attention to fioriculture. ” The usual routine of business was entered upon and completed. There was considerable interest ma ni- fested in the next floral show and already it is the desire of members to make it the greatest that has ever occurred in the State. The meeting, though largely in- formal in its character, was cnlcu%nud to l.imn“ a deeper interest in the culture of ower ——————— DiaMOXDS, Watches and Jewelry at reduced prices. Vacate Jan. 7th. 5 and 7 Third street. NEW TO-DAY-DRY GOOD: 2 The UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS of our GREAT SACRIFICE CLEAR: ANCE SALE, as evidenced in th TREMENDOUS BUSINESS of the past three days, encourages us to still further emphasize our determination to relieve ourselves of our vast sure sxramy plus stock by a series of SPECIAL AND EXTRAORDINARY CUTS IN PRICES that make our to-day’s offerings BARGATNS NONE CAN ARFORD T0 MISS! COLORED DRESS GOODS. | | 40 pieces 30-INCH FIGURED MO HAIR SUITING, dark cclorings, regu- Tar price 50c a yard, on special saie at . : g 95 pieces 43-INCH FINE ALL-WOOL NOVELTY Cl_’ilE\ 10T SUITING, latest mixtures, regular price $1 a yard, on special sale at.. E [To-0AYS EXTRA SPECIALS : 25c 50c BLACK DRESS GOODS. | » ! { | 17 pieces 52.INCH_EXTRA FINE ALL-WOOL FRENCH CHEVIOT, worth $1a yard, on Special S8l 8. ... . ueceeeruresaisesasinneseairazeant 23 pieces 47-INCH ENGLISH NOVELTIES, Astrachan effects, worth 3150 a yard, on special saleat.... 55¢ 75¢ | — w SILK DEPARTMENT. | 5000 yards FANCY FIGURED AND STRIPED TAFFETA SILK, regular price $1 25 a yard, on special sale at.... s 2000 yards BLACK BROCADED SATIN, small, medium and large designs, regular price $1 a yard, on special sule at.. 75w c 75¢ CAPES and JACKETS| LADIES' BLACK CLOTH DOUBLE CAPES, trimmed on bottom with two rows of mohair braid, upper cape trimmed to match, former price 51.75 $350, on special sale @b................. s LADIES’ NAVY BOUCLE CLOTH JACKETS, former price $5, on special sale at. nigh neck, storm collar, § A5 DOMESTICS. l' ‘Another lot HEAVY ENGLISH ¥LEECED FLANNELETTES, soft, heayy and choice, the 12}4c fancy weave; to-day’s price (not more ithan 20 yards to one purchaser)..... s 15 pieces HALF BLEACHED TABLE DAMA wide; to-day’s price (notsold by the piece). Another lot YARD-WIDE FRUIT OF THE LOOM MUSLIN, the uine full standard; to-day’s price 12 bales LARGE-SIZE BED COMFORTERS, heavy, sohd covering, clean white filling; to-day’s price (not more than three to each buyer)...... 5c 18ic 6ic 95¢ dice weave, 58 inches gen- VEILINGS I | HANDKERCHIEFS. | | i | | | i) SINGLvE WIDTH FANCY DOTTED VEILING, reduced DOUBLE from 157, 2uc and 25c a yard, clearance sale price... S e THREE-QUARTER WIDTH CHENILLE DOTTED TUXEDO VEILING, pzc reguiar price 35¢ and 45 a yard, clearance sale price 5 174 dozen LADIES’ WHITE HEMSTITCHED EMBROIDERED AND LACE INSERTION LAWN HANDKERCHIEFS (slightly imperfect), 5c Tegular price $1 75 per dozen, 0D SPECIAl 518 Bt..................... each 148 dozen LADIES' SHEER WHITE LAWN SCALLOPED EMBROID- ERED HANDKERCHIEFS (slightly imperfect), regular price $250 1 per dozen, on special sale at.. .each | MENS WEAR. u . i = e 182 dozen MEN’S AND BOYS' FULL-FINISHED HEAVY COTTON SOCKS, in brown, tan and slate colors, with double heels and toes, reg- c ular price $150 a dozen, on special salé at... pair 5 96 dozen MEN’S HEAVY MERINO SOCKS, full finished, with double spliced heels and toes, and in brown, drab, cadet and sanitary graycol- ] Qi ofs, regular price %c a pair, on special sale at. 2 Three lots of about 50 dozen MEN’S UNDERSHIRTS AND DRAWERS (0dd sizes), in sanitary gray wool, camel’s-hair and derby ribbed cot C ton, regular prices 65¢, 75c and $1 each, on special sale at........... sl 1 75¢ 45 dozen MEN’S HEAVY CAMEL’S-HAIR UNDERSH#RTS and DRAW- $1.00 ERS, silk finished, regular price $1 25 each, on special sale at. 32 dozen MEN'S EXTRA HEAVY AUSTRALIAN LAMS'S-WOOL and CAMEL'S-HAIR MIXED UNDERSHIRTS AND DRAWERS, war- ranted thoroughly shrunk, regular price $1 50 each, on special sale at.. _HOSIERY DEP'T. [ 75 dozen BOYS' EXTRA HEAVY BLACK RIBBED COTTON BICYCLE HOSE, double heels and toes, made specially for boys' wear, guaran- teed fast black, sizes 634, 834, 9 and 9)¢, regular price $4 per dozen, on special sale at pair 100 dozen LADIES’ BLACK MACO COTTON HOSE, high spliced heels, double soles and toes, Hermsdorf dye, worth $4 per dozen, on special saleat ..pair 63 dozen LADIES’ SATEEN CORSETS, extra lon; waist, high b_usl, two side steels each side, embroidered with silk flossing and made with pat- “nt loop evelets, black and drab, regular price $1 50, clearance sale price 15¢ 15¢ $1.00 |~ NOTION DEP'T. RUSTLE TAFFETA DRESS LINING, 25 inch, in black, grays and browns, on special sale at. Bt R S A R B yard NEW SPANGLE AND BEAD DRESS GIMPS, all the latest patterns and most siylish effects, reduced from 50c a yard to.. 5C 25¢c KID GLOVES. 100 dozen 4-BUTTON UNDRESSED KID GLOVES, large buttons, colors mode, tan and slate, regular price $1 a pair, on special saleat........... - 90 dozen 4BUTTON KID GLOVES, embroidered backs and large buttons, in medium and tan shaces, also black, regular price $1 25 a pair, on spe- cial sale at 50c } 75¢ |~ RIBBONS. X‘o& 5 an;i 7 ALL-SILK, SATIN and GROS-GRAIN RIBBONS, in assorted colors, value 7}4c a yard, on special sale at No. 22 ALL-SILK, SATIN and GROS-GRAIN RIBBONS, in assorted col- ors, value 20c a yard, will be closed out at. 2 4c 10c I . |BOOKS AND TRAYS. Balance of our 12-mo BOOKS, cloth honnld. value 35¢ each, will be closed outat Balance of TRAYS, in oxidized metal, value 35¢ each, will be closed out 10c 5C MURPHY BUILDING, Market Street, Corner of Jones, San Franoisoe. | e e WM B ROt