Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-25

HIS GUILT
Ra Engene f ,aI1 Williamson was arrested in
baiumore last evening, Charged with black
maiIng and endeavoring TO extort money from
the Kew. Dr. Morgan l. Dix. pastor OF Trinity
the residence OF DR.. Dix has been besieged With
persons almost daily who each brought viii
them postal cards all written In the same hand
writing and stating that DR.. Dix desired to see
the bearer OF the anonymous communication
The cards and their bearers finally became such
an annoyance to Or. Dix that he placed tho
matter in the hands Of the New York authort
ties About a week after he had notified tho
authorities he received an anonymous letter
stating that for 900 the writer would cease
his annoyanceS Mr.. Gayler. the general de-
livery superintendent OF the post oflice. then
proceeded to- work up the case. One OF tho
clergy upon whom he called had formerly been
nary. and in his conversation with this gentle
man Mr. Gayler learned that a young man
named Eugene Fairfax Williamson had about
Den Den efs s ss0, 9een sunday school teacher At
much teachlng, but hung around the church
ana had the air of a ''ne'er-do-wellr Mr.. Gay
Ter obtained photograph OF Williamson and
returning to the post office began an eyamina-
tion OF the index book and other records At
last he ascertained that Williamson had adj
dressed a postal card to the Office on February
10 requesting that any communications for MIN
be sent 10 the Windsor hotel New York The
handwriting on this card was somewhat similar
TO the anonymous ones that had been received
by DR.. Dix and the parties who had visited him.
although appearing to be written with an effort
at disguise.
THE FIRST CLUE.
Mr.; Gayler Immediately proceeded to the
Windsor Hotel. where he found the name OF X.
+; Williamson, OF Pittsburg, registered on the
stopped at the hotel but couple OF weeks on
his February VISIT and had only remained a few
days on his March visit. Upon further inquiry
it was learned from the clerk OF the hotel that
Williamson had in all probability gone to Balti-
more. Mr.. Gayler then telegraphed to CHEZ
special Agent Col. D. b. Parker, in Washington
TO meet him in Baltimore, and on last Monday
evening the two met In that city. Detectives
Smith, West and Lyons were employed to assist
n the search, and accordingly the work was
commenced. Search at the depots and express
offices finally brought to light trunk that had
been shipped by DOdd's New York Transporter
ton Company, checked to Williamson at No. $50
Pennsylvania avenue. corner Freshman street.
Mr.. West Immediately went to the house on the
avenue and found 1t occupied as a provision
store by MIR. Heatzman, jr. Mr.. West then got
wagon, placed an empty trunk In il and drove
he told MIR. Heatzman that he was In search OF
missing trunk, and thought probably he had
left 1t there. He represented himself to be
baggageman who had delivered trunk at the
wrong house. While in the store Mr. West saw
Williamson, but could not fully Identify him
with the likeness he had, which had been taken
some years ago. MIR. West then left the house
and placed man on guard outside to watch the
movements OF Williamson. Yesterday after
noon Mr. West again proceeded to HeatLman'S,
and there met the suspected man for whose ar
rest he carried warrant. He then commenced
to tell the latter about his trunk which he, the
apparent baggageman, had lost
THE ARREST.
Williamson was thrown entirely off his guard,
and when asked his name gave 1t innocently.
The detective then told him that 1t was not
trunk he was looking after but Mr.. Williamson
himself. The latter was much surprised at this
bit Of information, but made no resistance.
He was then placed In carriage and driven to
the middle police station. accompanied by de-
tecttve West. Justice Johns Immediately gave
the case hearing and committed the accused
for the action Of the New York authorities. Mr..
disposition should be made of the prisoner and
received reply to bring him to that city i'm
mediately. Accordingly, In company with
Messrs. West and Gayler, Williamson left for
New York on the LEO train last night.
COMPRISING HIS GUILT.
In written confession witnessed by detec-
tive West, Williamson admits that he was the
author Of the letters and postal cards. He ar
rived in New York about the middle of February
and remained there one week. He repeated his
visit March IA, and on both occasions wrote and
mailed the offensive letters and cards while
stopping at the Windsor hotel, under the sigma
ture of E. F. Williamson, of Pittsburgh. He did
not know what in heaven possessed him, a.
neither Mr.. Dix nor any OF the persons annoyed
| by his acts ever did him any injury. He SOL
EMMY declared that his Intention was not TO
extort money from DR.. Dix or any one else.
DESCRIPTION OF WILLIAMSON.
Williamson is man about 80 years old five
feet three inches high, weighs 40 pounds and
is slightly bald. He has full sandy beard and
hair, blue eyes and speaks with English accent.
He was born In Baltimore, his parents being
Virginians and left here when young. He
stated that he had recently been living In idle
ness in Pittsburgh, Pa, and that he never took
holy orders as supposed bv the New York OIL
cials. Williamson also admitted that he served
term of one year in the London House OF Cor
rectton in 1872 for similar offenSe.-BIltintore
Gazette To-day.