The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-28
The Provincial Police Had Been
Chasing Him for . Year.
An EMsEzzLER AND sEpuceR.
Career Of . Gay Victorian Who Was
Once . Social Lion.
The woman He Led Astray Remains
Faithful t. Him and Accompaniss
Him to Jail-vancouver Chinese Ar.
rested for smuEgliax wines.

Francis Boue hier, who less than q wear
ago was one of the foremost leaders of the
creme de Ia creme society of Victoria, oc.
cupies cell in the provincial Jail here to-
night. Boucher was . handsome, dash.
ing young Englishman With q handsome
young wife. and when he arrived at Vic
toria several years ago society took him
right into its arms. He established the
real estate firm of Boucher, Croft & NAL
lette and did a rushing business. SPEND
ing money. however. faster than he made
1t. he soon became pressed and misap-
propriated funds entrusted to him in q
business way. 1t is also said that he sold
property that did not belong to him, and
the total Of his shortcomings is large
sum. While flying the highest he had be-
come desperately in love with q young So
ciety leader named MISS Gem, and, it is
said, seduced her, and in June last the
couple eloped, leaving Mrs. Boucher in
Victoria unprovided for. So powerful
were his social connections that friends
were able to keep even the slightest hint of
the elopement out Of the Victoria news
papers.
Boucher and Miss Gem came to New
Westminster and here took the train for
Montreal. At the Colonial hotel in this
city they registered as man and wife.
Miss GEM was taken ill on the train and
had to stop Off at Calgary, where it was
found she had smallpox. She was con-
fined to the smallpox hospital there, and
Boucher proceeded to Winnipeg, from
where he wired her to join him in New
York on her recovery. This she did, and
the couple, after being heard from once or
twice, disappeared from view for a time.
A warrant was issued for Bouchier's ar
rest. a. it was expected that he would
come this way again when his funds ran
short. Not long ago Boucher turned up
in San Francisco, still accompanied by
Miss Gem, and last week the latter was
seen in Victoria by parties interested in
Bouchier's arrest. Her presence quickly
aroused suspicion that Boucher could not
be far Oh, and orders were sent out from
the provincial police headquarters to keep
sharp lookout for the much wanted man.
In the meantime Miss Gems movements
were shadowed. and from her actions 1t
became evident that the pair contemplated
taking the steamship Empress of Japan
for China. so the vessel was searched at
Victoria Tuesday, but Boucher was not
on board.
Boucher was seen in Vancouver yester.
day and was believed to have spent tho
night at one of the leading hotels, but tho
police, however, could not find him. and
he got away from the city in company
with friend during the night and was
driven to this city. The shadowing of
Miss Gem still continued and when she
arrived in town this morning Chief
Noresby was not long in reaching the con.
clusion that Boucher could not be far off.
About II o'clock Sergt. Walker, of Vic.
toria, accompanied by a provincial con.
stable, came over from Vancouver and
were quickly put on the trail. Miss Gem
had been In tho capital to arrange for
fresh supply of money, and shortly after
her arrival in town took the steamer to
South Westminste-, and unknown to the
unfortunate, but faithful woman. the
officers were passengers on the same boat
with her.
When she left the ferry she valked
down the Great Northern track. and a
moment later held up her umbrella "A a
signal that all was well. In response To
this sign. Boucher was seen coming ont
of the bushes where he had lain hidden
from an early hour this morning. The
officers waited until he was close to Mis-,
Gem, and then. strolling over in their di-
rection, suddenly nabbed the man and
placed him under arrest. Boucher sub.
mitted without word. The party then
came back to the city. and Boucher. hav.
ing been without food since last night. was
given a meal at the Hotel Douglas. Miss
Gem walked by his side from the ferrv
landing to the hotel, and afterwards ac-
companied him to the gaol. He will
spend the night there and be taken to Vic
toria tomorrow for trial
Boucher looks anything but the swell
he was q short year ago. His clothes are
shabby. and his whole appearance be-
tokens worry. Miss Gem also appears
care-worn, and the beauty for which she
was noted at one time is somewhat faded.
She is small and dark, and has fine ewes
and q perfect figure