Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-10-23
The III. orr of he Case.

The real history of this matter is as fol
lows: After the commission of the MUIR
der, and after the first search had been
made, and from the lapse of time the
vigilance of tho officers had somewhat
lessened, Captain Bresset had always had
theory that a man by the name of Des-
los, malato from New Orleans, knew
something about it or could farnish some
information regarding it. The result was
that he paid particular attention to Des-
los and on several occasions was enabled
to do him kindness. The result of this
treatment or the part of Bresset was that
Deslos gradually came to have a sincere
feeling OF gratitude for him, and when
Bresset thought the time was ripe, he in
quired Of him concerning this murder and
who he supposed might have committed it.
Deslos, who is q mulatto OF good deal OF
Intelligence, speaking French, Spanish
and English, is of considerable authority
among the river negroes, and is generally
pretty familiar with their histories. He,
after soma persuasion, told Bresset that
he believed Underhill and Washington
tUnderhill now goes by the name of Mel
sony had perpetrated the offense, and
finally confided TO him that Uaderhiu had
admitted the fact to him on the occasion
of their meeting in st. Louis, sometime
after the murder. This disclosure was
made TO Bresset during last January and
February, and he Immediately brought
Deslos to Mr.. O'Brien, the present mayor,
and made him repeat his story to him.
After careful scrutiny of Deslos' state
ment, it was fnaIy agreed that hs should
go away, learn all he could about the men
and their present whereabouts, and report
to Dress at in the spring. This was done,
and early in the spring Deslos reported to
Bresset that the men were at Chester, Illi-
nois, in the penitentiary for burglary, CON-
mitted by them in Illinois after the muir
der of the policeman. After the present
mayor had taken his seat, he sent Bresset
and Deslos to Chester, Deslos to identify the
men, and Bresset to remain there to await
requlsition, IN case they should turn out
TO be the proper men. Deslos did visit
Chester, and while there the confession of
the crime and its incidents were again re-
peated to him, by the negro Washington
When Deslos informed him that the ST.
Paul, Minnesota, authorities were looking
for him, Washington Immediately said thai
noSody could have disclosed the offence
excepting one Henry Thomas or Thomp
son, who was roustabout on the river
Washington never suspected Deslos oil
giving the information. Deslos imme
diately returned to St. Paul, while Bres
set remained in Chester, awaiting the re
QUESTION.
The necessary papers were obtained
from Governor Hubbard and placed in th
hands of Mr.. Armstrong. the mayors sec
rotary, and he Immediately proceeded IL
Springfield, and laid the case before TIL
governor of Illinois, asking for a commu
tation of the sentance of the man, or thei
immediate pardon, so that they could b.
sent back to this state. In the meantime
on the return of D5slos to st. Paul, h
employed himself in Watching all tn.
boats as they arrived. Finally, one day, b.
was oVerjoyed to see Thomas among
the roustabouts, engaged in taking GU
freight from the Mary Morton. He i'm
mediately notified the mayor who, will
Chief Clark, proceeded to the levee, there
found Thomas, who was pointed out tt
him, and he was taken in a hack and
brought to the City hall. He was there
asked what he knew of this murder anc
what Underhill had told him. He at first
denied that Underhill had told him any.
thiag, but admitted that he had ms
UnderhiIl in ST. Louis, about 2 week after
the murder, il company with Washington