The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, August 24, 1898, Page 16

16 TH E SAN FRANCISCO CALY, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1898. MRS. BOTKIN UNDER ARREST WILL BE BROUGHT HERE AND HELD FOR EXTRADITION Warrant Issued on a Telegram Charging Her With Atrocious Double Murder. Believed She Was Ins trumental in Sending Poisoned Candy Which Killed Mrs. Dunning and Mrs. Decane. est has been mafe in the D poisoning case. Mrs. W. A. Bot- | kin, the friend of J. P. Dunnt is In custody, and a Delaware detective Is| h on the way to this city to secure extradition. The suspected woman } accused of sending a box of poisoned candy to the wife of tha man she loved, causing the death of Mrs. J. P. Dun- ning and Mrs. J. D. Deane. The box of deadly bonbons reached Dover, Del, Wednesday afternoon, | August 10, and that evening, after sup- per, the two victims and several others partook of it. Mrs. Deane died the fol- lowing day. Mrs. Dunning dled on the night of August 12. Assuming that Mrs. Botkin fs guflty of the flendish crime, the accepted the- ory is that she prepared the box in this city and posted it just before ghe left for Healdsburg on August 4. The mes- senger of death would have been deltv- ered at its destipation August 9 or 10. | These dates are regarded as suggest- | ively significart by the detectives. STOCKTON, Aug. 23.—Mrs. Ada Bot- | kin was arrested at the Windsor Hotel this evening on two warrants charging her with the most horrible double mur- der chromicled in many years. She is officially accused of assassinatin= Mrs. John P. Dunning and Mrs. J. D. Deane, who pectingly ate polsoned bon- bons which had been sent all the way Dover, Del. stody Mrs. Bot- | from San Francisco * When taken into ¢ kin was as calm as she was excitable when the finger of suspiclon was first directed at her as the poisoner of Mrs Dun g and Mrs. Deane. The arrest | wes expected, and when Detective Ed Gt n of San Francisco and Chief of Police J. D. Gall stepped into her apartments at the Windsor at £:30 they were greeted with a che ‘Good even- (ng, gentleme: Detective Gibson came up on the svening train. He went at once to the office of the Chief of Police and remain- ed with Chief Gall 2 few moments. The officers came out and walked leisurely across to the hotel. They were not de- tained at the door. Mr. Botkin opened {t and intuittvely divining the purpose stepped back to admit the officers. If there was occasion for any embarrass- ment it was dispelled when the woman gave them a cheerful greeting. Detective Gibson had deltvered the warrant to Chief Gall and the latter ex- plained that it “became his duty to place Mrs. Botkin under arrest,” and requested her to listen to'the reading »f the warrants. Mrs. Botkin was seat- ed near the center of the room, while her-husband stood near by, as calm as | though the ceremonial was any other than one which made his wife and the mother of his son & prisonér charged th a most foul crime. Opposite the n who is now a prisoner sat Mrs, . a faithful nurse, who has cared her during the excitement of the ‘ast few days. Mrs. Botkin was attired in a natty tailor-made costume of a dark hue. It might have been made ot a traveling costume, but there was some irony in the fact that the journey was to be one of but a few blocks, end- ing at the County Jail. As Chief Gall began to read the war- rent the little woman arose from her chair with a dignified alr and stood < him, but with downcast eye. Her face was calm but her breath came quick and short, showing that there was an agitation within which was not written on the face. There were two warrants, !dentical only that in one the charge w the murder of Mrs. Dunnipg and in the other Mrs. Deane. When Chief Gall had finished the first he hesitated and inquired if she waived the reading of the second. ‘“‘Oh, yes, 1 walve that,” said the prisoner, and she sank into a chair. Her husband, a dignified looking man, now drew near- er. as though to shield his wife, but he had not a word to say. The grim Jail now seemed to flash before the woman tor thc first time. “May I remain here under guard?" she interrogated suddenly. Chief Gail replied that the law left him no alter- native but to remove her to a cell. The officers then gathered every scrap of paper on which was any writing, and told her that they must have her trunk and contents as evidence. The woman erose and assisted by her husband and nurse began to pack the trunk. The officers kept close watch and handed her such enveiopes and papers as they desired. “I feel quite calm now,” the woman sald; “ the excitement and shocks of the past few days are no more.” Turning to-her husband, whom she addressed as “Pop.” she asked that he send for her son Beverly. A reporter went on this mission and found the young man in the saloon with a friend making the wine fly. When told of his mother's arrest and desire to see him he waved the matter aside as not de- rerving his attention. He has taken the | developments of the past few days much to heart, and the drunken con- dition In which he was found this even. ing was his normal condition of the last few days. When the trunk had been packed it was strapped by Mr. Botkin and Mrs. Ruoff assisted the prisoner in putting on her bonnet. She drew a dark veil over her eyes. The prisoner was removad to a large cell upstairs. The light in the cell was soon out and silence prevailed. Later, when a Call reporter approached the cell it seemed that the woman was talking to herself. It was dark, and at the call “Mrs. Botkin,” she replied, “Yho is it, please?’ To every question, which was asked her about her plans, concerning Dunning or her pest her answer was always, “I have nothing to say.” Not another word would a question elicit. When the cell door was closed upon her she requested the jailer to admit no reporters as she “Never wished to see one again.” Detective Gibson will take his pris- oner to San Francisco on the morning train, arriving there by the 11:30 boat. Her husband will accompany her, and | down the broad stairway carrving a un- f1t 1s understood will leave his business here in charge of his son and go East with his wife when she is taken to Dover. Botkin professes the greate~t confidence in his wife, and may be 4 - pended upon to see that she has everv right the law guarantees to an accused person. He {& not a man of means, but is said to have friends who will see him | through any filnancial emergency. Mrs. Botkin 1is no longer free of tongue and given to ravings over Dun- ning. She has received advice from ber husband, she says, and as the pa- pers always get evervthing wrong it would do her no -ood to make a state- ment in her own defense. Detective Gibson was asked this evening if the San Francisco office had anything in the way of evidence other than what has appeared in the papers. He acknowledged that all the evidence had not been made public, but he said he was not at Hberty to discuss the case. He sald the order for the arrest did not come until after 3 o’clock, al- though it had been expected all day. He has taken every precaution to see that the woman does nothing rosh. Not only she thoroughly searched by the ptison matron, but the cell was | thoroughly inspected before the falr | prisoner was invited to enter. “I am chagrined, that's all,” she re- marked, turning to a reporter. “I am not excited, I am not worried. I am only chagrined over the disgraceful publicity.” The rattle of the patrol wagon toward the hotel attracted the usual crowd of loungers, and soon there Was an anxlous crowd around the en- trance to the hotel, Their curiosity was soon rewarded. Two policemen came trunk which they placed in the patrol wagon. Shortly afterward Chief Gall came out of the entrance with a ladv on his arm and handed her into a car. riage as gallantly as an escort. carriage was driven rapidly away. Be- fore she left her room for her trip to the jail the prisoner embraced her nurse with “God bless you, God bless you; I'll never forget your kindness. All will be right yet.” She handed her husband her shopping bag and exchanged a few hurried words with him in an undertone. Then, tak- ing Chief Gall's proffered arm, she walked from the room with all the grace of a tragedy queen. The accused woman is usually dramatic in her ex- pressfon, but said little this evening. She was graclous, but withal main- tained an austere and severe dignity. The carriage containing Chief Gall and his prisoner outdistanced all others to the jail, and when the oiher officers and Interested persons reached the cor- | ridor the woman was sitting on a chair with her hand to her forehead. Detec- tive Gibson was interrogated on the way over by Mr. Botkin as to when the order of arrest came, when he would | take his prisoner to San Francisco, and | {f he would have the privilege of accom- panving her. The husband was readily | admitted to the Ipner corridor, where | his wife was seated in plain view of | the people in the outer entrance. She extended her hand to her husband, who held it caressingly, she saying cheer- | fully, “Oh, it will be all right, Pop, don’t worry; it will be all right.” | Mr. Botkin, who throughout the trouble has conducted himself in an im- | perturbable manner, now seemed af- ected, and he toyed caressingly with his wife’s hand while they exchanged a few words. After being separated from her for two years she now flees to him pot only with moral disgrace upon her but a woman charged with foul | double murder. He has defended her and excused her In every way possible, The | not fail to command respect and sym- pathy. After Mr. and Mrs. Botkin had con- versed a few minutes Jailer Benjamin motioned them Into a private room, where she was searched by the matron. Her husband was present during this ordeal. The woman was calm and in- quired about what time she was to be taken to the city. She was under the impression that she was to be tried in San Francisco. So far as Is known the Botkins have not consulted an attorney since the cloud arose over them, Botkin being | content to caution his wife to say noth- | tng. Mrs. Botkin may be depended upon | to make the star female criminal, if so | she be, of the century. She has an in- telligent face, a neat form, is witty and | worldly wise. She has evidently nerved | herself for the ordeal and may be de- pended upon to stand it well. Considerable credit is due Chlef Gall in the case. For three days Mrs. Botkin has not left her room without his cog- | nizance. He has gathered evidence and handled every portion of his work with | diplomacy and skill. He did not know | Gibson was due here this evening, but | he soon found Police Judge Rendon and secured the necessary counter signature | | to the warrants. Mrs. Botkin would not | | gay where she stopped in San Francisco | on the occasion of her last visit there, and just previous to the time she went to Healdsburs. ARREST QUICKLY MADE. Attorney General of Delavvare | Wired Chief Lees to Hold Mrs. Botkin.\ | The complaint @rawn up by Chief Lees, upon which the warrant was 1s- | sued, tells the story of the communica- | tions between the scene of the tragedy and this city which led up to the arrest his wife left was Mrs. D. A. Botkin. Had rooms in same house. Rather en- dearing correspondence him to her March 19 from Havanz. che now ab- sent. Will interview on return. Dun- ning drinking heavily, playing races. If advisable send box and wrapper. Prob- ably can ascertain if manufactured and mailed here. See files San Fran- cilsco Examiner, Call and Chronicle for Botkin correspondencs, 14th inst. to date.” Then communications of a more offi- clal nature, and referring directly to the relations of Dunning and Mrs. Bot- kin crossed the wires. They are all contained in the complaint, which reads: In the Police Court of the City and County of San Francisco, State of Callfornia, M Ads Botkin. Belony, to wit: Murder. A Fugitive From Justice. State of Callfornia, City and County of San Francisco. se. Personally appeared befors me: this 234 day of August. A, D. 18, E. L. Gibson, who on oath, upon Information and belief, makes com- plaint and deposes and says: That on the 11th day of August, A. D., 183, in the county of Kent, State of Delaware, the crime of felony, to wit, murder, was committed by Mrs. Ada Botkin, who did then and there, wiilfully, un- lawtully, feloniously and of her malice afore- thought,’ kill and r r a human being. to wit, Mrs. J. P. Dunning, and this affiant here and now sets forth the facts upon whic] said {nformation and bellef are foun: on the 224 day of August, A. D. 1 gram was received by I 2 Folice of the city and county of San Fran- Claco, which was then and there in the words and figures as follows, to wit: “Dated Dover, Delaware, Aug. 22, ‘o Chief of Police, S. F. 8 kin, 827 Geary st.. a ; intercept let wire me upon arres! lish lady, Dover to Ada hold for rejuisit Botkin; That on_the 22d day of August. Chief _of Police of sald city and o San Francisco sent the following telegram, tn wit: iy SAN FRANCISCO, August 22, 1888 R. C. White, Attorney General, Dover, Del.: Mrs. D. A. Botkin is temporarly in San Joaquin' County. Telegraph following facts Three Women Who, It Is Believed, Can Cast Some Light on the Mysterious Poisontng Case. house, in the same block. Responsive to Dunning’s knock Mrs. Botkin opened the door and invited them to enter. Beck said last evening: “Jack Dunning returned from down town about 10 o’clock one evening with a couple of quart bottles of whisky. He stopped at the drug store and invited me up to Mrs. Botkin’s room at No. 927 Geary street, in the same block. Dun- ning was feeling jolly and seemed to be in for a good time, and I accepted the invitation. Mrs. Botkin was alone, but upon Dunning's suggestion that there ought to be another lady present she stepped out into the hall, and in a moment returned with Mme. Thomp- son. A bottle was opened and we had a round of drinks. Dunning was inter- ested in the race track, and he and I fell to discussing horse racing for a few moments, while the ladies conversed in an opposite cornmer. A little later another round of drinks was had, and some one suggested a_game of draw poker for small stakes. While Mme. Thompson was asking to be excused another lady, not very tall, a brunette, entered the room, ana after cordially greeting the others was introduced to | me, but I did not clearly catch the name. It might have been Mrs. Seeley, I don’t know. In any event, she took a hand in the proposed game of poker. Mrs. Thompson watched the game for fifteen or twenty minutes and. after bidding us good-night. retired from the room. At first each of us took consid- erable Interest in the game, but after an hour's playing it got to be so that every time a pot or bet was taken we had another round of drinks. Though my memory is somewhat indistinct as to the minute happenings of the even- ing, yet I am of the impression that th did not indulge in the liquor as heavily as Dunning and L The room was rather small, contain- ing a bed, bureau, center table, sofa and three or four chairs, and about the time the whisky was exhausted I re- alized the necessity of going outside for | fresh air. I bid the ladies good-night, and Dunning accompanied me down stairs to the front door. | “I was invited up again, but declined, giving as an excuse that the last event was too speedy for me. Dunning and Mrs. Potkin frequently stopped in the drugstore and discussed the races. She often came around and gave me ‘tips’ which proved elusive and expensive, “In conversing with Dunning she in- variably addressed him as Jack, but at no time in my presence did she evinee more than a friendly interest in his welfare. She didn’t appear to be jealous nor conduct herself in a man- ner as would suggest she was In love with him. “After Dunning went to Cuba she stopped In the store one day to tell me that she had recelved a letter from Jack, and taat he was homesick, and anxious to return to San Francisco. of Mrs. Botkin. There were a few pre- liminary telegrams of an unofficial na- ture, which are not contained in the | complaint, but have a material bearing | on the case. The first was received by Chief Lees on the 18th Inst. and was signed by John F. Dolan, Chief of Po- | lice of Wilmington, Delaware. It was as follows: ‘“Wire brlef account of history, !ife and assoefations of J. P. Dunning, former agent of Associated Press, and particularly his connection with woman English birth.” The telegram was rather vague, but Chief Lees went to work on the case and the following day, the 20th. inst., wired his answer as follows: and his demeanor this evening could “Dunning’s principal assoclate after WARRANT FOR MRS. BOTKIN'S ARREST. The warrants on which Mrs. Botkin was arrested are as follows, with the exception of the names, Mrs. J. P. Dunning’s neme being inserted in- stead of Mrs. Deane’s: [Warrant.] State of Culifornta, City and County of San Francisco—ss. of the Clty and County of San Francisco, Department No. 8. The people of the State of Callfornia. To any Sheriff, Constable, Marshal or policeman In this State, City and County of San Francisco: A complaint upon oath having been this 23d day of August, 1898, laid before me, H. L. Joachimsen, Judge of that the crime of felony, in said foreign State, to-wit, said St of said crime and that a criminal prosecution according to the laws of the said State of Delaware has been commenced and is now pending in said State of Delaware against the sald Mrs. Ada Botkin and sald complaint showing and charging that the sald Mrs. Ada Botkin ever since the com- mission of the sald crime has been and is now a fugitive from the justice of sald Sfate of Delaware and has been and Is now found within the State of California. Now, therefore, you are commanded hereby forthwith to arrest the aforenamed Mrs. Ada Botkin (if pointed out) and bring her before me forthwith at the Police Court fn the City Hall in this city and county, or in case of my absence or inability to act, before the nearest and most accessible magistrate in this city and county. Witness my hand and seal of the Police Court of the City and County to-wit, murder, has been committed, and ac- cusing Mrs. Ada Botkin, charging that on the 11th day of August, 1868, in the county of Kent, Etate of Delawars, the crime of felony, to wit, murder, was committed by said Mrs. Ada Botkin, who did and there willfully, unlawfully, feloniously and of her malice eforethought kill and murder a human being, to wit, Mrs. J. D. Deane, and said com- plainant showing and charging that sald Mrs. Ada Botkin has been charged Police Court the Police Court, by E. L. Gibson, ate of Delaware, with the commission of San Franctsco, this 23d day of August, 1898, Judge of the Police Court of the CIi H. L. JOACHIMSEN, ty and County of San Francisco. [Notary Public’s Certificate.] State of California, City and County of San Francisco—ss. 1, C. F. Curry, County Clerk of the City and County of San Francisco, State of California, and ex-officio Clerk of the Superior Court thereof, which court is a court of record, having a seal, do hereby certify that Hon. H. L. Joachimsen, whose name is subscribed to the annexed warrant, was at the time of signing the same Police Judge in and for the said city and county, duly elected, sworn and qualified and euthorized by law to issue such war- rant, and full faith and credit are due to all of his official acts as such. And I do further certify that I am well acquaipted with the handwrit- ing of the said Hon. H. L. Joachimsen, and verily believe that the signa- ture to the sald annexed warrant is genuine. . In witpess whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Superfor Court at my office in said city and county this 233 day of August, A. D. 1898. CHARLES F. CURRY, County Clerk and Bx-officio Clerk of the Superior Court. By J. L. Doran, Deputy Clerk. | obtain warrant | fugitive under our statute | said city and county of | the following telegra for her ar date of complaint and wa issuing, title of court, n whom ‘warrant s directed, slon of erime, where crime al C W. LEES, Chief of Police. In response to which said Chief of Police of n Franctsco recefved judge official to commis- GEORGETOWN, Del., August 23, 153 To Chief of Police, San Francisco: Crime charged, murder; complaint made August 23 before Peter L. Cooper, Justice of Peace; war- rant directed to constable; crime committed August 11 in Kent County, Delaware; m ger with evidence on way. R. C. WHITE, Attorney General. And that on sald information this affla makes this complaint, and alleges the facts to be that sald crime of felony, to wit: murder, has been commftted by sald Mrs. Ada Botkin, as hereln above alleged: that sald Mrs. Ada Botkin has been charged in said foreign State to wit: Sald State of Delaware, with the com- mission of sald crime, and that o criminal prosecution according to the laws of the said State of Delaware has been commenced and is now pending in eaid State of Delaware against said Mrs. Ada Botkin, and the said Mrs. Ada Botkin ever since the commission of said crime has been, and is now, a fugitive from the justice of sald State of Delaware, and has been. and is now, found within this State of California. All of which s contrary to the form, force and effect of the statute In such case made and provided, and against the peace and dlg- nity of the people of the State of California, and this complaint upon oath accuses the said Mrs. Ade Botkin of having committe crime, and this complaint further prays that the said accused may be brought before a magistrate and dealt with according to law. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 234 @ay of August, 139. H. L. JOACHIMSEN, Judge of the Police Court of the City and County of San Franciaco. The people of the State of California vs. Mrs. Ada Botkin, a fugitive from justice. Com- plainant, E. L. Gibson. Filed in the Police San ————————————, Clerk. A similar ¢omplaint for the murder of Mrs. J. D. Deane was prepared and at 3:30 yesterday afternoon Detective Gib- son presented the documents to Judge Joachimsen. Warrants for the arrest of Mrs. Botkin were issued and Detec- tive Gibson caught the 4 o’clock boat and started for Stockton. time marked 8:46 p. m. was received by Chief Lees from Gibson, which simply ftated “Mrs. Botkin is arrested.” “The work was quickly done,” sald Chief Iees, last evening, “after we decided ihat Mrs. Botkin was the right party. The delay in the investigation and subsequent arrest was due to lax- ity in the East, but, fortunately, every- thing is now in proper shape to pro- ceed. Detective Gibson will bring his prisoner to this city on the first train leaving Stockton to-morrow, unless habeas corpus proceedings interfere. ‘We hardly expect any such procedure, however, and she will undoubtedly be detained in this cit: pending the arri- val of extradition papers from the State in which the wvictims ate of the poisoned candy.” Court of the city and county of cisco this 234 day of August, —_— WENT A LIVELY PACE. Dunning and Mrs. Botkin Were Too Speedy for a Drug Clerk. Among the guests invited to Mrs. Botkin's rooms was George L. Beck, a i clerk in Isaacson's Pharmacy, corner of Geary and Larkin streets. Dunning returned from gown town one evening with a couple of quart bottles of Whis- ky, and invited Beck to go up to Mrs. Botkin's bed room, in Mrs. Moore's g | horse race, but I declined with thanks. he satd | A telegram | Then she wanted to give me a tip on a “So far as I observed Mrs. Bnlklni conducted herself as a lady, and merely | acted as a friend to Dunning.” | Beck sald he regarded Dunning as an intimate friend. He reluctantly ad- mitted that Jack, as he called him, fre- | quently bought whisky and mineral | water by the case and sent it to 927 | Geary street. Detective Gibson called on { him a day or two ago, Beck said, and closely questioned him as to whether [nr not Mrs. Botkin ever asked him the | effect produced by certain kinds of poi- | son. * ‘She did not,’ I replied, and in| no manner did she remotely suggest ch a thing, nor in her demeanor or | | conversation did she betray Indications of jealousy. Although closely ques- tioned T could not give the detectives any information of value.” Beck will leave for Los Angeles in a 7 days. ! | R —— DUNNING WANTS JUSTICE Says He Knows the Murderer of His Innocent Wife Is a Woman. NEW YORK, Aug. 23.—John P. Dun- | ning, who is In this city, was told of | | Mrs. Botkin's arrest early this morning | and was asked if he thought the right | woman was in custody. 5 " “I abeolutely refuse to say,” was his | reply. “Why the name of Mrs. Arbo. | iif:)!w should be brought up 1 don'(1 I have never met her b ut once, and wouls not know her now if I were ::1 m;et )3’1?1’. She kept a lodging-house arket street, betw 3 Se\%x;nn een Sixth and 'The statement that I hay. { ave | effort to shield the slayer ots’::;-eiflgl and her sis 2~ Dt ster Is absolutely false,” said the ends of justice? | “From the very learned of the murde: nocent wife, I vowed m: ‘iokgllgs‘:_l(_';z the mysterfou: 5 ! | it was a woman, w] box of death-dealing bon‘-:gn:e'!‘; ’ilhe‘:'t The handwriting leaves no Toom fos do_ubl that a woman aid it. On.my ar- rival in Dover I had a long conference with my father-in-law, Mr, Penning- ton, and my brother-in-iaw, Mr. Deange We went over every detail of the cane. carefully considering every particle of | evidence at hand, in order that I might formulate some plan for beginning the solution of the mystery. 1 examined the fatal box and its contents and flt:‘;d‘ed every line"of handwriting on wrapper, as wel the! lnclr:)sed. as the nate which “It did not take me long to an idea as to the hientitygo! ll::r;vn:::: who sent the candy. In order to strengthen my bellef in that direction, | I went over the minutest occurrences | of the evening on which the box of | poisoned candy arrived and what was said concerning it. I did not think it | wise to make known my suspicions in the case to newspapers or even to my | father-in-law or any other member of the family. I feared the murderess | might learn of it in time to make good | her escape. I simply gathered evidence systematically to hand it over to the detectives as soon as they called on me moment I first T of my poor, in- for my opinion of the case. So-far as | porters. And you do mot . ADVERTISEMINTS. A A TN NOVELTY SILKS! We beg to ahnounce the opening this week of an elegant assortment of NEW NOVELTY SILKS. Ombre Plaid Taffetas. Equal Stripe Taffeta, latest colorings. Light Ground Warp Print Tafieta, new designs. Ombre Plaid Tafeta, black satin stripes. Taffeta. Checked Warp Print Checked Tatfeta, black Satin stripes. Fancy Bayadere Stripe Taffeta. Dresden Stripe Taffeta and Changeable Taffeta, with white satin stripes. SPECIAL. 15 pieces Black Satin Duchesse, all pare silk and 24 inches wide, $192 Yard. Regular Value $1.25. ¢ (mz% m, 13, us, uwe, us, < 121 POST STREET. my correspondence is concerned I have had no communication whatever with her or any other woman in San Fran- cisco since my return from Porto Rico. When asked what hiz plans were, Durning said: “I am here to settle up gome business matters, and expect to | leave in a day or two for Dover to see my little girl, ‘who fortunately did wot eat enough of poisoned candy to more than make her sick.” Dunning sald that he did not intend to go back to San Francisco, as he never regarded thet as his home and only stayed there as long as he did because chance enabled him to retain a good place there. gt D WHISKY B8Y THE QUART. Mrs. Botkin and Dunning Had Wonderful Thirsts for Liquor. Fred Nordholz, a bartender employed by John Hadeler at 917 Larkin street, corner of Geary, added a chapter to the gay career of the newspaper man and Mrs. Botkin. He said they bought the best brand of whisky he had by the quart measure. “Dunning and two ladies who llved at Mrs. Moore's lodging house,” he sald, “frequently came to the saloon in the afternoon or late at night and bought whisky by the quart. One of them, 1 was told, was Mrs. Botkin, but the oth- er one, who was about five feet two or three inches tall and of a brunette type, I did not know. On several occa- sions the women came alone. Once or twice while accompanied by Dunning they appeared very gay and lively and I have thought they were under the in- fluence of liquor. They seemed to be treading very lightly and indulged in rather loud iaughter. As I remember now, they usually addressed Dunning as ‘Jack’ or in terms of rather more tender endearment. The three of them were very speedy and appeared to be thoroughbreds. I don’t remember any of them ever purchasing less than a quart bottle of whisky at one time and often it was two or three quarts. “George Beck, a young drug clerk across the street, used to come over and tell me of his visits to Mrs. Botkin’s rooms with Dunning and of the glorious times they had there In the evenings.” Mrs. Moore, who is 82 years of age, {s suffering from nervous prostration and has been removed from 927 Geary street to No. 836 Turk street, where she is being. cared for by friends. After reading Mrs. Botkin's story telegraphed from Stockton in yesterday’s Call, she relapsed into a nervous prostration, her nurses say. The statement made Dby Mrs. Botkin that she was crazy and that her son had died in the Stockton insane asylum was too much for the landlady and she succumbed to ner- vousness. The attendants declined to permit any callers to see her yesterday and said that her mental anguish was Vvery great. gt RF MME. THOMPSON FOUND. ‘Will Not Tell What She Knows Except on the Witness Stand. The much sought for “Mme. Bermel- Thompson, from Paris, teacher of the French language,” has been located at 923 Geary street. An inquiry for her at the above ad- dress sent a servant to the upper re- gions In search of this ellsive young woman, and the question came down the stairway: “Apother reporter, Jane?” - Mme. Bermel-Thompson is a very af- fable woman and her face was wreath- ed in smiles. “Oh, madame, your pardon. I was so afraid you were one of those awful re- know how I have been besieged. For four days I havz seen no one; I have kept in my {own apartments. The papers all say their people have talked with me, but I { have talked t0 no one except my | friends. “But, again, pardon. You wish to see | me on business?”—and madame's eyes { were smiling and madame’s lips were smiling, showing a gleam of white, even teeth. ‘When the Dunningymatter was men- tioned the smile left her eyes and lips and her face turmed a chalky whits. Madame twisted a ring nervously about her finger, and her hands shook; then she replied: “I have nothing nothing. 1 have given my promise not to speak. “Mr. Curtis told, me I was one big Httle fool to talk so much, so I have promised him and my lawyer not to say one word more. “What can I say of Mr. Dunning? He is so well known that my opinion is of no value. “Why, what do I know of these peo- ple? 1 was simply in the same house with them. They were not my friends. “No. I will not tell vou whether I was ever out with Mr. Dunning. I must not talk; I have promised not to. “Mrs. Botkin? Oh, no; we were not friends. “I have been worried to death over this matter, My name has been bandied about, as if I were the guilty one, and I know nothing about it. I shall say no more until I am put upon the wit- ness stand, when I will tell of my rela- tions with these people.” Mme. Bermel-Thompsor French by birth, but certainly appearance. She is neither pre! homely, neither young nor old stout nor thin, nor, in fact e thing that one would expect a woman with a hyphenated name to b to say—positively solemn he vivacious gayety of s for lertainly rests not within the small frame of Mme Bermel- Fhompson. Gowned in a plaid shirt- e Peith skirt of gray boucle and Jeather belt, she certainiy looked unifke of suppers, the heraine of midnight supper | companton of race o eee— Buy wall paper and window shades at Clark's, 653 Market street. Country or- ders solicited. A FASTIDIOUS MAN Always - ses that his linen, and fancy vests are well laundered, white and im- maculate. We are catering just now to the summer man in laundering every- thing that is necessary to his hot weather apparel. Negligee shirts, duck, pique and crash suits, fancy vests and white linen collars, shirts and cuffs. Ladies shirt waists, dickies, etc., we laurder just like new. The United States Laundry, office 1004 Market street Telephone South 420.