The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-26
RIVALS THE BESWELL CASE.
Unraveling of n Canadian Murder Mys
terY-A Noted Criminal Arrasted.


HAMILTON, Ont, Dec. 23.--ISpeciaL LESS
than two years ago the whole of the known
world almost had on its lips the latest news of
the ruthless Staying of "Couny' Benwell, the
hrst-born son OF Colonel BenwelI, of Chelten-
ham, England. By an inductive system of rea-
soning, by a clever and systematic gathering to-
gelher OF the shrcds OF circumstantial evidence,
by inceSsant and untirng work the response
bility for this foul OUTRAGE was traced to Ragin-
ala r Birchall, and on the 18th of November,
1890, after one OF the most dramatic trials i'll the
history of the Canadian law courts, which re-
suited in verdict OF guilty the prisoner
paid the last penalty of his misdaeds on the
scaifold. His remains now lie buried within
the gloomy walls OF Oxford's jail, and within
few miles of the spot where he il cold blood
shot his victim down.
But while the BenWell murder ease was the
talk OF two continents and the unquestioned
sensation of the hour, there was pe-petrated
another tragedy which now bids fair 70 rival in
sensational disclosures and dramatic incidents
even the famous Woodstock murder. Certainly
1t is q much more vivid example OF remarkable
detective work. The story OF the murder is
brief. John Heslop, the aged treasurer of An
caster township, Wentworth county, was found
dead in his house on the morning of January -,
1890. There was no douht about the case 1t
was murder, pure and simple, and that, too, for
purposes of robbery, as large sum OF money
the dead man had drawn at a Hamilton bank the
day before was missing. Chief Mckinnon, of
the Hamilton police and detective force took the
in hand. After carefully sitting every
scrap OF information that could Toe called evil
dence, the chief was reluctantly compelled to
acknowledge himself beaten. There was abso-
lutely no clue But McKinnon did not give up
hope. The long years OF training he had sub
chief of the Dominion detective force made him
say: mi dcsperdRdam." At his request Detect
i've Greer, one OF the shining lights OF the Domin-
ion force, was set apart for the onerons duty of
tracing the crime and hunting down the muir
derer. He aud McKinnon worked hand III
hand, and day by day the latter became more
sanguine OF success His reply TO all inquiries
was: at may be delayed, but you can rest as
sured the murderer viii BE- brought 10 justice.
Aud the murderer has been brought TO Just
ice. John Bartrara was arrested lew days ago
al Brantford, Ont, and is locked up in jail
az Hamilton, charged with the murder of Jonn
Hes.op. The chain of evidence, circumstantial
though IL be, IS now complete, and when I'M
folded link By link, VIII prove one Of the most
extraordinary strength.
The work OF Detectives McKinnon and Greer
is best told as follows: II was thought for some
time that the murder committed by two
men who Travelled over the Grand Trunk rail-
way the following morning from Hamilton TO
Queens wharf cut these men subsequently
called at the detective department ana made
known their identity. Again IL was believed
ter, y. Y, the day altar the tragedy, were the
assassins. This supposed clue also failed aud
Detective Greer retained 10 the spot where the
old man had been murdered There he re-
NAMED for several weeks having concluded
that the men who perpegated the bloody deed
had previously known the victim and his fam
liz aud had also been familiar with every foot
OF the land he trod. The reputation of
every man, young and old, within
radius Of fifteen miles, in
CURED into, and finally by some
Inspiration Greer concluded that BaSiram was
the man he was after. Bat how 70 trace the
crime home another thing Alter pro-
louged inquiries twas found that Bartram, who
lived about eleven miles from Hamilton, had
gone during the night 10 Hamilton aud then
t{.auQearet- Greer hunted a III down, first hav-
ing possessed himself OF the man s record. which
YVES ANYTHING bat good. FOR years he had borne
the reputation OF being the hardest man on tue
Grand river, and was the terror OF that seotson
OF the country. He lived II the United states
for a lew years and is wanted across the line on
several old Charges. The authorities of New
York state report that he IS one Of the most no
toriorls crooks and thieves that they ever had 10
do with with all these facts ia his possession
Greer had no difficulty IN getting g warrant for
Bartrams arrest On aH old charge OF cattle
stealing Then he located his man at
Middleport. IN Lincoln county. But
il was not his game 10 arrest
him then and there. He skill wanted some
more evidence before the charge Of murder
could be laid How 70 get Il was the question.
Greer for over month associated with Bar
trsra and tired in every known way TO have
Bar.ram betrEy himself or 20 find oas some
thing thai would enable him 20 WORK tbs thumb
screw, bat al 20 10 avail Just one month ago
Bsrtrara discovered who Greer was, aud then IN
order 20 hold h.s prisoner, the detective pro-
ducsd Ms warrant and landed the suspect in
Brzntf9rI Jail Not even az this time ala Bar
tram know be WAS suspected Of being impi!-
eatel 81 the Hssop murder. LET ne co. hs
begged Of Ore-r. land wiz tell you s1Inething
aoo.s the klIliaE OF old Hesop tagt H.iI De bet
Ter Coz you than running me IA" But 30 lar no
confession Aas Sesn made. al least not ~ tie
prisoner
D4ck ssain aiong tie old hsunts Greer discoV-
cred new e4ue- I1ere was 4 certain excite
ment amongst the river drivers when il became
kn0wn TIA: BsTtssm was II quot, and TWO In
dl4ns. Douglas sad Go0Aey, we're especially All
tatsd. Ilsy, teo, Wsrs taken 10 enzrsss sad