The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-01-08
How n Wishing Card Led TO the Ar
rest of a Murderer.

How n Wishing card Led 10 the Ar
rest ola Murderer.
Two men sat in secluded corner of
the Ebbitt House lobby last night and
enjoyed a quiet chat over their after-din-
ner cigars. That was not a remarkable
fact; but one of the men is one of the
best known members in his profession,
and if he were inclined to tell history
of his interesting experience it would fill
volumes. The smooth shaven gentleman
with the quiet demeanor is one of the
keenest of criminal catchers, G. M
Fletcher of Chicago. Mr.. Fletcher is not
on thief hunt G expedition this time,
but he related what he calls the strangest
and luckiest piece of trailing in his life,
and the end of the trail was in Washing
ton, although" says Mr.. Fletcher, sit
was only luck on my part that did it."
Fifteen years ago, in the early fall of
1876, wealthy old farmer named Will
son was found murdered just outside his
house near Evanston, Ill. The old man
lldu JlldJ Nld1 COuCluuOu JuO bdlC VI d
piece of property, and was returning
with nearly $1,000 in his pocket, as it was
growing dark, the cash having been paid
over after banking hours in Evanston,
and Wilson incautiously allowed the re-
mark to drop that he wished he had not
made the sale until next day. He did
not like the idea of carrying so much
wealth to his home, five miles distant.
These facts, beside the murder itself,
and the knowledge that notorious gam
bier named Edmondson had overheard
the speech were all the clue offered the
detectives, who were set to work on the
case with a reward of $4,000 held out as
an inducement for running down the
murderer or murderers. Months passed,
but no further trace of the gambler who
was suspected could be found anywhere.
During the early spring of 1877 Fletcher
was sent East on mission by the
agency of which he is member, and in
the course of his trip concluded to spend
day or two in Washington before re-
turning to the Lake City. While passing
up Pennsylvania avenue, near Sixth
street, with friend, his attention was
attracted to small visiting card, which,
after the manner of his profession, he
picked up and examined.
81 wasn't thinking of business just
then" said Mr.. Fletcher, "but suppose
instinct led me to do as l did, and what
do you suppose that pasteboard con,
tanned The autograph of the very man
l had been looking for for months. OF
course, the signature was not familiar to
me, but the first thought to suggest it
self was, How did the card get there {?
and 1 could answer it only one way
Edmondson had dropped it-but how
did he happen to retain the same name
if he was guilty, unless he did not feal
detection? Well, to cut long story
short, determined to stay in Washing
ton awhile and see what could be seen.
found out the most notable houses where
gambler of his type would be likely tC
hold forth, and after ten days shadow
ing l found him in an old frame house
on Four. and-a-half street. EdmondsoI
came with me without a requisition and
made no fight. In fact, he was tired OF
leading hunted life, and confessed the
crime. He said he always had an idea
that the visiting card would prove his
doom, but somehow or other he would
not destroy it, and knew at once wher
he missed it from his case that it weulC
be clue. for he had been travelling
under an assumed name since the mur
der. The card was the last link of his
former life.
Edmondson was hanged a few months
later and that ended the most curious
episode in my twenty-five years ex
perience as detective. ~ dshingto,
Post.