The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-02
MISSING HAT FOUND.
More Evidence Found Against
Charles NOrdstrOm.
HIS TRAIL TRACED FURTHER.
The Hat Found I'm . Deserted Cabin
With a Note in Swedish-Seller Of
the Gun Identifies Him.

The chain of evidence which Sheriff woolery
assisted by his deputies, has been weaving
around Charles W. Nordstrom, the suspected
murderer of William Mason, was materially
strengthened yesterday by the finding Of the
hat supposed to have been worn by Nordstrom
on the night of Friday, November q, when the
fatal shot was fired.
As was stated in the PosT-INTELLI6ENcER yes
terdsy morning, when Nordstrom was captured
he wore black cap instead of black SLOUGH
hat, as has been his custom when living at
Cedar Mountain. and also later, when he worked
in Gilman. Sheriff Woolery sent Deputy Jack
Mcdonald to Cedar Mountain yesterday morn
ing to go over the ground, pick up any stray bits
of evidence that might be discovered, and
obtain the missing hat If possible. While Nc
Donald was on his way to the Mountain Sheriff
Woolery received information that John R..Boy-
Ian and John Rechtenwald, two ranchers on
Cedar Mountain, had discovered the hat, and
were on their way to Seattle.
The hat was found on Sunday afternoon, but
the men reached the city Monday night, and
visited the sheriff Tuesday morning.
The story OF the finding OF the hat is az fol-
lows: Boylan and Rechtenwald came to Aasons
house on Sunday morning with the intention OF
tracing the murderer as far as possible beyond
the point where his tracks had been lost on
previous attempts. The footprints led
to Thomas lIndsley's lane and in
many places they looked as if the
man had travelled in his stocking feet, but at
other points there were imprints of a naked
foot At Lindsev's cabin. which was empty, a.
the family had moved to Gilman on the Thurs
day previous, the tracks led to the front door,
and Boylan thought that the man was inside.
1t was unsafe to walk in upon a desperate man,
so the usual greeting of ranchers was given, but
produced no response. Cautiously entering
the house, they found it apparently
empty. An examination of the stove failed to
reveal any sparks and the bedding left in the
cabin was not warm and gave no indi cations of
having been used. Going from the cabin, they
took q circle around the house, and soon Rech-
tenwald cried out to Boylan that he had got the
trail. Boylan replied that the trail was lower
down and that he was on it, but to make things
sure he went up to Rechtenwald, and together
they ran the trail down to an opening
in slashed timber, but made no discoveries.
Retracing their steps, they came back to the
cabin and took the trail Boylan had discovered.
1t ran across slope 400 yards in extent and
thence into dense timber up over the mount
ain, but soon pitched down and went into q
swamp. Rechtenwald discovered that the tracks
led off the main trail and up to the right.
Switching of, they followed the tracks up
near cabin, which they saw was inhabited.
Boylan cried out: Hello there, can you give
hungry man something to eat?"
voice from inside responded, swat q min
ute. am taking BATH
In short time the cabin door was opened and
q man who did not answer the description Of
Nordstrom appeared. He asked if they were
after the murderer, and grew uneasy under
Boylan's questions. When asked about the
tracks leading to his door, which were larger
and more prominent than his own, he was I'M
able to give any explanation whatever.
swell" said Boylan, 81 want to nd james
1smey's cabin. and you had better go down
with us and show US where the trail is" He
dax~ fho b ov,A be- md
to lead down also. At the place where Boylan
and Rechtenwald had turned up, the man said
that that trail would lead to Ismey's cabin.
The tracks led into the cabin, but it was de-
serted. On a table was bottle of pickles. The
cork was out, but in its place was piece OF
paper Boylan picked it up and saw that it was
written upon in foreign language. Handing
it to his companion, he said
"There is some German for you"
sect out" said Rechtenwaid, 'it's Swedish"
A black sloueh hat on the wall caused Boylan
to say, "I believe want that hat" and taking it
down he noticed that it was Seattle hat and of
the same description as that worn by Nordstrom.
When the track was taken again it led toward
Gilman, but, coming upon persons who reported
that Nordstrom had been captured, they con-
cuded to go home and take the rest so much
needed.
When Sheriff woolery learned these facts he
wired Mcdonald to return and bring the hat,
Wnlcn hau Deeu lett IN heclIenWaluS caOlD
The Importance of this discovery and its con-
nection with other incidents will be seen when
it is remembered that on Monday morning after
Nordstrom was captured. Deputy Nc
Donald took the black cap worn
by Nordstrom to Thomas Lindsleys house,
where all the family recognized it as belonging
to James Ismey, who lives in section 8, town.
ship %, range east and in direct line from
Masons house not more than a mile distant
Charles E. Hanley, employed at Hardy & Halls
hardware store, went to the county Jail yesterday
and identified Nordstrom as the man who bought
the Winchester repeating rifle and cartridges
on Friday morning. November 81. In answer to
Sheriff Woolery's questions, Nordstrom said he
bought the gun on Front street from Haniey
Hanley was shown the bullets taken from the
gun, but said they were not the ones he sold
Nordstrom. The prisoner said that he bought
new cartridges ut Renton, and explained that
he got drunk and lost those he bought at Hardy
& Halls.
Sheriff Woolery wired the Winchester Re-
peating Arms Company at san Francisco for
the name OF the firm TO whom they sold the gun
in question, and the reply was, Hardy & Hall
Nordstrom viii probably be arraigned before
| Justice Won Tobel today