The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-03
METHVIN is CAUGHT.
Fugitive COunterfeiter Does
Not Get Far Away.
HIS OWN STORY OF HIS CRIME.
Says Murphy Led Him Into It, Though
the Latter Informed the Author.
tiles 1t the First.

Says Murphy Led Him Into It, Though
the Latter 1nformed the Author.
titles 1t the First.
DR.. J. B. Methvin, the counterfeiter who
escaped from United States Marshais
Bigelow and Mudgett at South Park
Saturday night, was captured yesterday
morning by Constable Mike Kelly. of Full
ton precinct. at John McNatt's house,
within mile of where the dash for liberty
was made. Methvin is bitter against
Murphy, who informed on him, and says
he is the real principal in the case. 1t is
known, however. that Murphy acted in
good faith all the way through. He III
formed the authorities when he pretended
to go into partnership with the counter
feiter and kent them advised of what was
going on. Ali the way through he acted
under advice from the deputy United
States prosecuting attorney.
After the chase was given up Saturday
night by the deputy marshals Deputy
Sheriff Jack Mcdonald and Constable
Mike Kelly kept on searching until II
caution was taken to leave shotgun with
VAIL pay, 80 tudt uc ullSut Ue Ie1uy lu case
Me,hvin returned.
About l O'Clock in the morning Kelly
was awakened by noise in his barn and.
while he was investigating. a man with
his hands in his pockets passed by on the
plank road leading toward the city. The
fact that the mans hands were free threw
Kelly Oft the scent. and he simply re-
marked: pretty late to be out, amt it. I"
YES" replied the stranger. and passed
on. What the man did until daylight is q
matter of speculation, but at that time q
man who answered the description Of
Methvin, minus the handouts, came to
John McNatt's house, and asked permis-
sion to warm himself by the fire. The re-
quest was granted, and in short time the
stranger asked Mr.. McNatt if he would 20
to Mr.. Burton, who lives about mile
north near the plank road, and tell him
someone wanted to see him.
McNatt believed it was Methvin and on
the way told Francis McNatt, who lives
only short distance away, to notify Con-
stable Kelly that q suspicious character
was at his, John McNa.t's house. He
then went on to Burton's, but Kelly, be-
ing notified, hastily arose and reached
there before Burton.
Methvin was sitting by the fire when
Kelly walked in and said:
''Weli, you are the man I'm after"
These abrupt words did not startle the
one addressed, for he looked up and re-
piled:
What are You after me fort"
'Now there's no need Of playing that
game" said Kelly, 1--WE been after you
all night"
Have you got warrant for met"
"No, don't need any; you were arrested
last night"
Gould you tell me. F" was the reply. "who
swore out that warrant?"
II don't know anything about that part
of it," replied Kelly. "I'm simply after
you," and then noticing that the mans
arms were free of bracelets, continued:
''Have you got any weapons?"
mo, they took them away from me last
night
This was the first positive evidence to
Kelly that he had the right man and he
concluded to warn him that any break for
liberty meant death.
While this conversation was going on in
came Burton, and Methvin asked to talk
alone with him. When this was refused
he looked disappointed. but made the best
of it and talked aloud. He asked Burton
to look after his wife and children and
break the news of his arrest to his wife.
This seeming intimacy with Burton
struck Kelly as very peculiar, and he re-
marked:
what have you got to do with this
case? 1t strikes me it were better for you
not to mix up in it.
Il have nothing to do with the case. but
loaned him hat and coat last night and
want to get them back" answered Burton
and then left the house. Methvin then
commenced to plead to see his wife.
Gan right" said Kelly. II will take you
down to the house and give you . chance
to say good by"
On the way Kelly tried to find out how
Methvin got rid of the handouts. but he
was non-committal. On one of his shirt
sleeves was little metal dust and Kelly
questioned him about 1t. "Oh," was the
reply, "that is the dust Of the filings"
As Kelly expected. there was a scene
when Mrs. Methvin saw her husband in
the hands of the constable. She threw
her arms around his neck and pleaded
with the officer to spare him. She cried,
her belief in his innocence. Methvin had
been cool and collected. and 1t was evident
he was thinking of who had gotten him
into trouble He said to his wife:
"Do you have any idea who is response
BILE for thlsf"
She whispered in his ear. and he re-
piled, Il think you are right"
Kelly cut the interview short, but before
going learned from Murphy that Burton,
whose connection with the case is circum-
staatial to a certain extent, had come to
the house about O'Clock in the morning
in haste and asked for the doctor Meth
win is q medical school graduate and re-
Gently a practieing physician). stating
tina, his child had become sick suddenly.
After a few moments conversation with
Mrs. Methvin he left.
On the way TO the county jail, DR.. Meth
vim talked but little, and the persons on
the electric car did not realize that he was