The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, August 25, 1898, Page 16

16 THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1898 BOX OF DEADLY BONBONS PROBABLY FIXED IN STOCKTON A Suspicious May Fasten the Crime on Mrs. THE CANDY CLERK RECALLS A STRANGE CUSTOMER. Substituted Confections for Those Originally in the Package=-The Accused Woman Makes a Statement in the City Prison. Reasonable doubt as to the | guilt of Mrs. W. A. Botkin, the suspected murderess of Mrs. J. P. Dunning and Mrs. Joshua A. Deane, will soon anish if the statements made by John Gat- trell and W. Kuhn of Stock- ton are true and can be sworn to. Gattrell is the head clerk in the Wave candy-store and he says that about three weeks ago a woman whose description is identical with that of the woman under arrest came into the store and asked him for a box of bon- bons, saying she wished to put in with the store candy some of her own make. The clerk gave her a plain box, as the rule of the store is that none but candy made in the establishment is sold under the firm's name. The box of candy was handed to the woman and she removed a por- tion of it and substituted bon- bons she had in a small sack. The clerk wrapped the box, gave it to the woman and she left the store. He had not seen her since. Mrs. Botkin was in Stockton July 28, 29 and 30. It was on one of these days the incident oc- curred. W. K. Kuhn, proprietor of the v store referred to, says he an o his clerk can identify the candy made in his place, and they can also identify the box. 6000006660000 00600000006000060600660600666 ) 660000000000 0000000608000000000600060 @ If the box sent to Dover came @ from Kuhn's store and if he iden- & @ tifies the uneaten bonbons as his @ -® manufacture, and then if Gattrell & @ identifi Mrs. Botkin as the & woman who bought them, she @ @ stands convicted of the most dia- bolical, premeditated and cun- ningly executed murder in the criminal annals of the century. While in Stockton last week the accused woman was ill and hysterical, and it is rumcred that she uttered many significant words bearing directly upon the tragedy while her mind wan- dered. The police have received an in- timation that a woman recently bought poison in Stockton. This 0000060600066 666 is being investigated. @ Mrs. Botkin is now in the City © Prison, where she will be de- © tained until the arrival of De- | | nothing to say | of the | to the train, as the latter said her hus- tective McVey of Delaware, who is now on the w here to secure r extradition. She made a | statement to the Chief of Police, & | absolutely denying that she is @ | guilty of the double murder, and © | gave details of her actions since & August on which date she & went to Stockton and remained € two da; @ SIS STOCKTON, Aug. 24—Chief Gall to- day obtained unexpected and impor- tant evidence bearing upon the Dun- | ning ca It is not too much to ex- | pect that within a few days it will be | proven beyond a reasonable doubt | that Mrs. Botkin prepared the poisoned bonbons for Mrs. Dunning when she was here three weeks ago. Mrs. Bot- | ADVERTISEMENTS. MOTHERS Read What CUTICURA REME- DIES Have Done for Skin- Tortured Babies. My little sister (Annie Matthews, La Plata, Chzrles County, Md.) had the cow-pox, when only seven years old. She suffered terribly, and everything we tried did no good. Every time her clothes were taken off, every bit of scab would come with them ; she was raw all over. One box of CUTIOURA (ointment) and | a cake of CUTICURA SOAP, cured her in three weels. Mrs. ELIZA ROYE, Feb. 23,98. 1219 Fourth St.,N. W. Wash.D.C. My niece's little baby, two years old, was so badly afflicted with Eczema that he needed constant watching. His face was always full of large sores which he scratched constantly. Mornings, his clothes, face and hands were stained with blood. They had medical treat- ment,and tried everything. She commenced CuTicURA REMEDIES. The sores left his face and ke was entirely oxred. Mrs. L. J. ROOT, Feb. 10, 1898. New Scotland, N. Y. Our little boy was four weeks old when he had Eczema, in the most horrible state. His face was full of scabs, and parts of the flesh were raw. We used CUTICURA SOAP and one box of CUTICURA (ointment), and in one week this boy was as good as cver- Mr. and Mrs. J. C. FREESE, Feb. 15, 1898. 360 So. First St., Brooklyn. When myboy was three weeks old, I noticed avery red roughness on his face. We had several doctors, but they did no good. T was told to use CUTICURA REMEDIES, and after using one box and a half of CUTICURA (oint- mentyand CUTICURA SOAP, heis entirely cured. Mrs. W. G. LOVE, Feb. 26, *98. 1913 Wilder St., Phila., Pa. Bables on fire, babies burning up, babies in agony from torturing and disdiguring, liching and burning, ekin and sealp diseases. Nome but mothers realize how they suf- for. To know that a warm bath with CUTICURA Soar, and & single anolnting with CUTICURA, purest of emol- lient ekin cures, will afford instant relief, permit rest sud slecp, and point 10 8 speedy cure, and Dot to use them is 1o failin your duty, Think of the years of suffering en- talled by such neglect. Cures made in childhood are specdy, permanent, and economical. houttheworld. POTTER DEUG AND CUEM. ops., Incident That Botkin. kin arrived here on the morning of Thursday, July 28. She went at once to the home of Mrs. Rauof on Fremont street. Mrs. Rauof says that Mrs. Bot- kin was in poor health and went out but little during her brief sojourn here. Further than this Mrs. Rauof h: concerning Mrs. Bot- or state of mind on the On the afternoon following Saturday she bade Mrs. Rauof good-b saying she wa going to return to San Francisco. Mrs. Rauof did not accompany Mrs. Botkin kin’s health occasion of this visit. never have thought of the incident again, but when the poisoning case came up and he saw the scene shifted to Stockton he became Interested. He became doubly interested when he saw the picture of the candy box in the pa- per. When Mrs. Botkin was arrested last night and he learned of her build | and manner the whole matter flashed | on him and he made haste to lay the matter before Chief Gall this morning. W. K. Kuhn, the proprietor of the| Wave, and his clerk both say they can positively identify the box as to| whether or mnot it came from their place. Young Gattrell comes of a good fam- ily, bears an excellent reputation, is a High School graduate and the presi- dent of his class. In his statement to Chief Gall he| said: 1 naturally took an interest in | a case where a box of candy figured. | The woman’s act was unusual, but I| probably would never have thought of | it again had not this case come up and | the developments which occurred here. The se flashed over my mind and | when I found that the accused woman | was right here in the city I felt it my | duty to tell of the incident. The only | description I can give of the woman | is a general one. She was not tall | She was dressed in_the light summer | wear usually worn by the ladies here. I can identify the box and possibly the | woman. Of the latter I will not be | certain. I am certain of the correct-| ness of what I have stated to the chief. | I have made my statement without | bias or prejudice and if it has an im- portant bearing on the case 1 am neither to blame nor entitled to credit for bringing the facts out.” Chief Gall during the afternoon re- cefved a telephone message from Chief Lees giving a des ption of the box sent to Mrs. Dunning. The description agrees with that of Gattrell in the main, but a comparison cannot be made, as the candy store is not at present in possession of any of the box stock which was on hand at that time. | Both Gattrell and Proprietor Kuhn re- call, however, that they while at her place. | “Did you ever see any one else in her room besides her companion, Mrs. | Rauof, her husband and her son?” “No, I did not,” said Mrs. Brueck. “No one else ever came there. She did | not go out, and her meals were brought | to her.” Last night .a bottle of poison was taken from Mrs. Botkin at the sugges- tion of Dr. Stone, who suspected she had it on her person. The physician | attended Mrs. Botkin about a month | ago, at which time she was staying with Mrs. Rauof, a widow, who has been her friend, nurse and confidant. At that time Mrs. Botkin had a fever and feared that it would develop into | typhoid. Dr. Stone during his atend- ance gave the nurse a vial containing four grains of morphine, enough for thirty-two doses. Dr. Stone learned of the arrest and informed the jailer con- cerning the poison. It is understood that | it was found on the prisoner when she was searched at the jail. ‘When asked if during his attendance upon her the woman dropped any re- marks showing the state of her mind, or | having any bearings on subsequent events, Dr. Stone declined to answer. Mrs. Botkin was hysterical during her illness and it was thought that possibly she might have droppedsome significant | remarks. The doctor said, however, | that he had formed his opinion of the | case from the first, and that opinion had not been changed by subsequent ! events. He declined, however, to state what that opinion was. | The visit of Mrs. Botkin to this city last week was wholly unexpected, ac- cording to the story of Mrs. Rauof. Last Thursday morning a carriage drove up to Mrs. Rauof’s house in the | northern part of the town and Mrs. 3otkin alighted and said she had come to remain a few days. She remained at their place until Saturday, when she sought her husband’s protection. | “I knew Mrs. Botkin,” said Mrs. Rauof, “through her sister, who is the wife of Professor McClure of Healds- | burg College. When Mrs. Botkin was | | rela since July 27 last. She was calm and self-contained, and gave her story in low, well modulated tones. She dropped all her dramatic 'mannerisms and affected ex- pressions, which indicated that she ap- reciated the gravity of her situation. he spoke slowly and carefully chose every word, knowing that what she ut- tered would be Investigated, and any discrepancies or _contradictions would welgh heavily against her before a jury. She began her story with a general and emphatic denial of ‘the charges against her and a sweeping refutation of all the interviews which had been published as coming from herself. In reply to a question by Chief Lees Mrs. Botkin declared that she had not bought any candy at any place for eighteen months, except a 10-cent bag of lemon drops, which she purchased in twis clty for a little nephew who lives in Mendocino County. Lees then asked her if she did not buy a box of bonbons at the Wave candy store in Stockton about three weeks ago. Mrs. Botkin replied very forcefully that she had not. The substance of her statement follow: “On the evening of July 27 last I teok the boat for Stockton and arrived there the following morning. was very ill during the trip on the boat, and on my arrival at Stockton I called a physician. “On Saturday evening, August 30, started on my return to this city, and arrived here Sunday morning, August 3L I went immediately to the Victoria Hotel, at the corner of California and Hyde streets. 1 had not fully recovered from iliness at Stockton, and I suffered a pse on the return trip. I felt so badly after my return that I again sent for a doctor and remained in the hotel until Wednesday, August 3. That afternoon I began making preparations for a visit to my sister, Mrs. McClure, who lives in Healdsburg, but who was then at the Adventist Sanitarium at St. Helena. I gathered up my clothing and trinkets and partially packed my trunk. During the afternoon 1 visited a friend who lives on Bush street to say good-by to her. From my friend’s house I returned to the Victoria and remained there that night and all the next day, up to the time of my departure for St. Helena. This was on Thursday, August 4. The train left about 3 in the afternoon, and I went directly from my hotel to the ferry. I did not stop anywhere nor did I post or cause to be posted a box of candy ad- dressed to Mrs. J. P. Dunning at Dover, Del. From this city I proceeded, with- used plain | sick in Oakland some months ago l‘nut stopover, to St. Helena. My brother- DETECTIVESED. GIBSON ~QF .SAN FRANCS(O ] MR WA BOTIINS Incidents in the Arrest and Imprisonment of Mrs. Botkin, the Suspected Poisoner. band was to be at the depot to see her | off and had sald he would have h ticket purchased for her. Mrs. Rauof.| is very reticent and will say nothing. | Frank J. Gattrell, a young man of | good reputation, employed at the Wave candy-store as head clerk, believes he sold Mrs. Botkin the box and part of the contents which brought about the death of Mrs. Dunning and her sister. Gattrell fixes his dates from the fa that he spent the latter portion of .Ju in San Francisco on a vacation, r turning here on the last day or there- abouts of the month in order to as- sume his duties in the store at the be- ginning of the new month. He possibly arrived two days before the 1st of August, and as there was a rush at the store he went behind the counter at once, On one of the first days after his return he was at the counter when a woman came in who he says “was of medium age. My recollection” is that she wore a dark dress. She was not a tall woman, but rather neat and stout. I cannot give a description now, but possibly if I met her I might recognize her. I do not say I can identify her. but T might.” Continuing his story, Gattrell says the woman came up to the counter and asked if she might have a bonbon box. The clerk replied that it was against his orders to allow any candy other than that of the Wave to go out under the firm label. She then handed him a sack and told him to put the candy it contained in a box and fill it out with his own. Gattrell then went to the back of the store and got a box on which was written in script “Bon Bons.” He showed this to her and asked her if this would answer, and she said it would. He then emptied the candy from the bag she brought with her into the box and filled it in from the show case. While the clerk was do- ing this the woman told him to put in mostly chocolates. Gattrell says the candy which she brought with her was a mixture of what {s known as French bonbons. He is certain that it was not cheap candy bought on the street. Gattrell tied the candy up and the; woman left the store. He says he would have probably white enameled boxes labeled ‘“Bon Bons.” There were no ribbons on th boxes, they having been removed. There were ribbons on the box which carried the poisoned potion, but the sender might have put these on in a position formerly used by the re- moved silk. These boxes did not bear any advertisement of the “Wave” and were kept on hand for such persons as bought candy here and wanted the re- cipient to believe that it came from San Francisco. To this end it was of course necessary to eliminate the local | fim’s name. in the store is a stamp which the boys used in making an American flag on packages. If there is an impression of a flag on the box at Dover, the evi- dence of where it came from will be conclusive. If it iz not, however, it will be no proof that young Gattrell is mis- taken, as he says the rule of stamping the flag was not invariable and this box might not have contained the flag. It was a “four-bit” box and otherwise agrees with what all the local officers now know concerning the one who con- veyed the poison to Mrs. Dunning and her sister. Mr. Kuhn, the proprietor of the Wave, says: “Any candy maker will know his own stock or a box used in his store. I feel safe in saying that when we get a look at the box from Dover we can state positively whether it came from our store. We have none of the stock on hand now, but I do not consider this necessary to an identification.” Gattrell was cautioned by Chief Gall this afternoon to do no talking, and it is believed that the Chief is in posses- sion of fuller details than have so far leaked out. This was not done, how- 2ver, until after Gattrell made his statement to The Call correspondent. The Chief confirmed the correctness of the statements here given, but refused to say whether he had learned anything tending to corroborate Gattrell. There is a rumor, however, that the police have a clew to where the poison was purchased. Mrs. Brueck, pro- prietress of the Windsor, where Mrs. Botkin was arrested, was asked to-day concerning the conduct of the accused nursed her. That is the way we be- came acquainted. I was, therefore, sur- prised to see her again last week. After the reports appeared connecting her name with the poisoning of Mrs. Dun- ning and Mrs. Deane she became quite nervous and went to her sister, who advised her to come with me. I have been acting only as a companion to Mrs. Botkin and have been receiving pay for my services. “Do I believe she is guilty? No, I do not,” said Mrs. Rauof. *“She is not the kind of woman to do anything of the sort.” Mrs. Rauof is a widow and quite well to do. She owns some property in this city. She was formerly an attendant in the asylum here, but since has been acting as nurse and companion to in- valid women. Last year she returned from a trip to Johannesburg, South Africa. MRS. BOTKIN’S STATEMENT The Accused Woman Tells Chief Lees of Her Doings for the Past Month. Immediately 'on her arrival at the City Hall Mrs. Botkin was taken by Detective Ed L. Gibson to the private office of Chief of Police Lees. She removed her coat and the double veil which she had worn during the trip from Stockton to the city and sat down to await the com- ing of the Chief, who had gone to lunch- eon. Chief Lees returned soon after, and in a few moments Mr. Botkin arrived and joined his wife. Chief Lees read the tele- grams and letters from the Delaware authorities, which accused her of the murder of Mrs. Dunning and Mrs. Deane, and_also_handed her clippings from the Tiewspapers which contained details and interviews regflrdlng the crime. Mrs. Botkin read few of them and then looked at the Chief inquiringly. Lees fully explained the circumstances which lnvc’u’lvedpher and then asked her for her statement, which she willingly consented to give. Stenographer Otto Heyneman was called in and the suspected woman gave a detailed account of her doings in-law, N. C. McClure, was_ waiting for me at the depot, and I rode with him to the sanitarium, where I remained with my relative until Sunday, August 7. On Sunday we drove from St. Helena to my sister's home in Healdsburg, a distance of thirty-five miled, I passed a week there, resting and_enjoying the quiet of country life. Sunday, August 14, I first read of the death of Mrs. Dunning and her sister. 1 was shocked beyond expres- sion at the fiendish act. ““The next day (Monday) a lady reporter on one of the San Francisco papers call- ed on me and asked for an Interview. I told her everything I knew freely and frankly, and allowed her to examine and copy letters 1 had recelved from Mr. Dunning. I wish to state here that I was not truthfully reported by the paper the lady represented. She informed me that a very strong suspicion existed that I was the person who sent the poisoned candy to Mrs. Dunning, and I gave her every detail of my relation with the dead woman’s husband, My sister and 1 discussed the case and she advised me to go to my husband at Stockton, and I acquiesced. The reporter before re- ferred to asked permission to accompany me, and on the urgent request of my sis- ter I consented. We went to Stockton Wednes@lay, August 17, and there I re- rr:taln”wd until arrested and brought to this city. At the conelusion of her statement Mrs. Botkin addressed these words directly to Chief Lees: “Now I am herg, and I hu‘v‘en told you all I know about the case. The prisoner was then taken to the City Prison and placed in charge of the matron. Her name was not entered upon the prison- register, but probably will be, as she was arrested on a warrant. Chief Lees saild he did not cross-exam- ine the suspected polsoner. He only ask- ed her a few questions which were sug- gested in a letter received yesterday from Attorney General White of Dela- ware. The Chief is certain of one point, however, which s that the “English woman' referred to in the Eastern dis- patches and Mrs. Botkin are one and the same person. She has all the physical characteristics of an English woman, and speaks with a decidedly English accent. ‘Without knowing her nationality any one would declare she was born in the mother country. The letter received by Chief Lees contains the information that the bonbons arrived at Dover August 9, not August 10, as has been printed. Mrs. Botkin was not questioned about any persons whose names have been mentioned in connection with the mur- der of Mrs. Dunning and Mrs. Dedne. The suspected poisoner’s statement was transcribed and a copy given to her, so she could read it and make any correc- tions she wished. Mrs. Botkin's trunk was_ delivered at the Chief’s office later in the afternoon, and it was unlocked and the contents carefully _examined. The police say they found nothing among her effec: which could be used as incriminating ev dence against the accused, nor was there anything in the trunk bearing even in- directly on the tragedy. HAS A DREAD OF THE PRESS Mrs. Botkin Refuses to Be Interviewed in Her Prison Cell. Kodak fiends and a batch of morbid curiosity seekers were on hand when, at 12:15, the unfortunate woman, accompa-~ nied by her husband and Detective Gib- son, landed at the ferry depot. They crowded around the accused, vainly striving to catch a glimpse of the face so securely screened from vulgar gaze behind a double veil. Mrs. Botkin wore a neat tailor suit with tight fitting basque, the severe cut of which showed to disadvantage the lines of her plump short waisted figure. Jauntily perched on her head was a white sailor hat—em- blem of everything that is gay and bright and happy—firmly secured by a heavily dotted fishnet veil, over which was v.orn another of black chiffon, through the meshes of which it was impossible to catch the faintest glimpse of her dark eyes, broad low brow, strong large mouth and white teeth. ‘With her husband on her rizht and De- tective Gibson on her left, Mrs. Botkin walked bravely, firmly from the boat to the landing. There was no faltering, no shrinking from the ecrowd. With head erect, shoulders well squared and feet firmly planted she stood until the car- riage drove up. Then Detective Gibson chivalrously assisted her to enter, taking his seat by her side, while Mr. Botkin boarded the first outgoing street car. On her arrival at the City Hall, Mrs. Botkin was immediately ushered into the presence of Chief Lees, with whom she ‘was closeted for nearly two hours. After her interview With the Chief she went to lunch with her husband to a cafe op- posite the City Hall. With a solicitude no one expects to find in a detective, Gib- son stood watch at the cafe door, with one eye on the strawberry shortcake in the show window and the other on his fair prisoner, who was allowed to enjoy an interrupted tete-a-tete luncheon with her husband. Mrs. Botkin gave the order—roast beef and corn, with peaches and cream for dessert. The shrimps which were brought as an appetizer Mrs. Botkin tasted not. She watched her husband as he slowly picked the little pink things, frequently moistening his lips with white wine, and spoke in sharp, quick ejaculations. For fully ten minutes she waited for the | luncheon, which did not come, and then at a word from her Mr. Botkin summoned the negligent waiter. “I want my lunch, sald the woman who has been called a modern Lucretia Borgla “Bring it, please; please bring it quickly!"” she ex- claimed in eager tones, accompanying the same with an impatient gesture and a dramatic roll of her dark eyes. ‘When her lunch finally came she ate quickly, with seeming enjoyment, during which time she kept up a running con- versation. Her face, framed in by her raised veil, looked pale and slightly drawn, but there was no hunted look in the eves that gazed constantly toward her husband, without one return look. Mr. Botkin seldom spoke. He never raised his eyes. After luncheon Mrs. Botkin adjusted her double vell, while her hus- band settled the accoount, and then tak- ing his proffered arm went back again to the Chief’s office. After a short interview with the Chief Mrs. Botkin was turned over to the cus-' tody of Matron Casey, and her first words to her keeper were: *I won't see any newspaper people. 1 don't want to be interviewed. I will see no one, not even if they come from God’'s footstool, except my relations.” in her dread of the interviewer Mrs. Botkin appealed to Detective Gibson for protection. While they were In the Chief’s office she implored the detective to save her from press representatives, who, she declared, were lurking in every nook and corner, eagerly anxious to hear anything she might say. To requests for interviews Mrs. Botkin returned answer ‘‘that never to her dying day, and not even then, would she ever make a statement for publication.” ‘With her quarters in the prison Mrs. Botkin is perfectly pleased. “I am as easy and cheerful here,” she said to the “as though I were in my own FORGIVEN BY HER HUSBAND After a Separation of Two Years Mr. Botkin Comes to His Wife’s Rescue. Mr. Botkin, the husband of the accused woman, has acted most nobly in endeav- oring to shield his wife, whether she 1s guilty of the awful murder or not. Not- withstanding the ‘exposure of all her scandalous actions with Dunning, her husband, with extraordinary fortitude, is preparing to defend her name and save her from conviction, if it lies within his power. He remained with her while she made her statement to the Chief of Police, and accpmpanied her to the City Prison, where she was placed in charge of the matron. Mr. Botkin lingered but a few mo- ments in the matron’s room and then said good-by to his wife. He left the prison and went downtown to consult an attorney. Mr. Botkin took a long breath when he passed out of the prison and the iron door closed behind him with a rattle and slam. He looked worried and careworn, and he walked in a dejected and dis- pirited manner. He said to a reporter: ‘There will be no more interviews with my wife. She has been interviewed too much already. For myself, I have noth- ing to say that has not already appear- ed in the papers. 1 am still convinced that my wife is not guilty of murder or any other crime, and in a short time she will be free. Regarding our future life, | nothing need be said. ; “Regarding Dunning and my wife's association with him, I have only this to say. I do not belleve there is one fota of truth in the stories which have ap- peared in the newspapers about them. Mrs. Botkin was lively and joll; unfi she liked Dunn|n§ as a friend only. These tales about drgies and wildly hilarious doings at 927 Geary street are all lles. “The arrest of Mrs. Botkin on suspi- cion only s a hard blow to me and to her. But she has recovered from her fright and is now resigned and composed. Her conscience is clear, and she has no ap- prehension as to the final outcome. “For generations my family name has never been tarnished, and this is the first time, to my knowledge, that a Botkin has ever been behind prison bars or ac- cused of a crime. “I intend to remain here until to-mor- row and perhaps longer. This is a busy season in the grain business, and I am anxious that my business shall not suf- fer. I have never had any trouble of this character to contend with, and T have not formed any plans. I shall try to se- cure the services of George A. Knight or General W. H. L. Barnes, but both these attorneys are at Sacramento, and I do not know when they will return. “T have decided on one thing, however. I shall see that my wife has every pro- tection the law can give her, as I know she is_innocent.” Mr. Botkin was born in Ohio, and mov- ed from his native State to Missouri many other venturesome men, has made and lost money, and at present he is not well fixed financially. He conducts a branch of a San Francisco grain broker firm at Stockton. His son assists him. Some time ago they had an office at Merced, but were not successful in that field. Mrs. Botkin is a member of one of the most respected families in this State —the Browns of Mendocino County. She has several sisters, all most estimabla women. She was born in Missouri, and the major part of her life was spent Im that State. She married Mr. Botkia when she was 18 years old. That was twenty-six years ago. Ten yvears ago she came with her family to California, and she has since resided in this State. She separated from her husband two years ago and came to this city. He went to Stockton and has been there ever since. DUNNING HAS SUSPICIONS NEW YORK, Aug. 24.—“My lips have been sealed by the State authorities of Delaware, by whom I am instructed not to make any statement in regard to the death of my wife and her sister, caused by eating poisoned candy.” John P. Dunning sat in his room in the Astor House to-day when he made this statement. “Were you surprised at Mrs. Botkin's arrest?” he was asked. “No. I wish to say, however, that the stories that I am endeavoring to shield any one connected with this case are ab- Solutely false. I am aiding and I intend to aid the authorities of Delaware in every way to secure evidence and assist them to discover and punish the guilty rson.” P unning sald he had asked the Dela- ware detectives to show him the box of poisoned candy his wife had received and also the paper in which it was wrapped and upon which the name and address were written. They did not have it with them, however, and he did not see it. “Did you see the threatening anony- mous leiters?” he was asked. “That I do not care to say, as it may be against the instructions I received. “Then you will not say whether you re- cognized the writing of the letters or 0t?"” "' Personally, T see no objection to tell- ing what 1 Know, but that I must pre- serve for the trial. “I shall be a witness and intend to tell everything—all I know. I shall shield no one.” Dunning admitted he had a strong sus- picion as to the guilty person, and also that it was on the evidence he gave the Deleware. authorities that a dectective was sent to San Francisco. “There are several perons whose names have been connected with the case whom I know are innocent,” said he. “Two are Mrs. Corbally, who waS a good friend of my wife and myself, and Paul Cowles, who worked with me in the Assocfated Press office in San Francisco. Beyond that I do not care to say any- thing, except that it is true that I know the women whose names have been con- nected with the case, all of whom live in San Francisco Dunning_s: he will continue to ob- tain all the evidence he can to convict the person who is guilty of the crime and that person he is confident he can name. ON THE TRACK OF THE POISONER WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 24.—Attorney General White sald to-day when asked about the progress being made by the State authorities in the Dover poisoning case: “We are confident that we are on the right track. Weeks may elapse be- fore we can complete the case, but I can assure you that nobody can get away.” The Secretary of State said that no requisition papers had been sent to San Francisco, but they were ready when needed, which wouid probably not be un- til a hearing had been held in California. The famous old JESSE MOORE WHISKY s recommended by physiclans for family and medicinal use becaue it is pure. 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I‘tr:{ghl pald 100 miles. .20¢ 4040404040404+ 0+0+0+04+0¢0& MAY-BE We didn't advertise just what you wanted—but if it's furniture we're sure to have it—so give us a visit—and see our prices—then u'll see what we mean when we say ‘‘our prices, whether cash or little-af time, are lower than those of cash houses.” J. NOONAN, Complete House-Furnisher, 1017 to 1023 MISSION ST,, Above Sixth. "Phone, South 4. Open Evenings. 040404040404 040404¢040404040404040404+0404¢040+ when he was a young man. He, like 404040404040 40004040404040404040404040404040+ 0404040404040+ 0+0+0+090+