The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-09-28
SORENSEN CAUGHT
The ValiSe=OWner Nabbed
in Stockton.
The Police Hope Through Him to Be
Able, to Locate the Dynamite
ThrowerS.

The police are now satisfied that the
dynamite explosion which wrecked Cur
tins clearinghouse and caused the death
OF four men early on Sunday morning
was perpetrated by members of the
Sailors Union. Chief Crowley said as
much yesterday afternoon and was much
elated when al O'Clock in the evening he
received telephone message from Stock
ton announcing the arrest of AXel Soren-
sen.
That Sorensen did the deed the Chief
does not think probable, but he expects TO
secure valuable information from him.
The name of this sailor is the one painted
on the satchel which was left on Saturday
at Mission-street boarding house and
which, when opened. was found to con-
tain can of nitr0-glycerne, several sticks
of dynamite. many yards of fuse. box of
Illuminating caps and several hack
saws such as are used by mscreants who
cut ships cables.
Ever since the fatal explosion the de-
tectives have been searching for the man
whose name is placed so con picuously on
the outside of the bag. He was traced to
Stockton and there he was placed under
arrest A detective will leave this morn
in for that city and will return with him
in the evening.
las to knowledge of the persons who
placed the dynamite in front of Curtin's
we are still in the dark" said Chic Crow
ley last night. IL never had case that
was so battling at the start as this one
The only clews We had were these" and
he pulled out drawer and exhibited a
new revolver and piece of wire, these"
he continued, "and the mysterious satchel
left at that bOardng-ho on Saturday. [
am firmly convinced that members of the
Sailors Union is at the bottomof this
deviltry; every bit of evidence brought
to me by my men c0rr0barates the opinion
which | have formed, and / regard the re-
ward which it has offered as only bluff
| do not think that as a body it engl-
Deered this terrible scheme for revenge
upon a nOn-union house. but do think
that such incendiary speeches were made
at its meetings that men who were of an
anarchiStic disposition were tempted to
make use OF the fearful explosives.
''As to this man Sorensen, [ don't be-
lieVe he placed the satchel in front of
Curtin's. nor do | think he was The one
who left the other satchel at the boarding.
house, but do believe he was acquainted
with the gang and that they made use of
his property.
"a man would hardly be fool enough to
leave such damaging evidence around. An
amateur detective has been mixing himself
up in he case, and tonight he brought me
information that the name 'Axel SOTensen'
had been painted on the satchel to deceive
the police. His statement is ridiculous
The name has been on there some time,
and the bag is just such a one as a sailor
would use for his kit. 1t is a custom with
seaiaring men to thus paint their names
on their belongings.
'The Chief of Police at Stockton tele-
nh mn hat hn had taA h.
by means Of the description which we sent
him and that he had given his correct
name. This fact also leads me to believe
that he is not the iend we are affer. but
from him / expect to learn who got pos
session OF his satchel and perhaps some
thing more.
although we have no positive evidence
connecting John Tyrrel and Terence
Tracy, now under arrest. with the crime
yet we have positive proof that they have
within the past ten days uttered threats
which casts much suspicion around Them"
Have you yet ascertained where the
dynamite was secured?"
NO." replied the Chief. I'VE are GER
tain, however, that it was not bought here
or in oakland. and il was either stolen or
brought from some other town. 1 expect"
he added, that there will be some start
ling Developments within twenty-fou
hours. We have had twelve Detectives
working on the case and a number of
policemen in citizens clothes specially
detailed for the work.
1t as thought on Tuesday that Axel
Sorensen came to this city from Chicago
The name was found in a directory of that
town and it was surmised that one of the
many lovers of dynamite in the Windy
City had paid San Francisco a visit. The
following dispatch, received yesterday by
The CALL, nipped this theory in the bud,
however 1t reads:
Axel Sorensen lives at 81 Cornell street. Has
vile aud lwo children. Went to work as ma
chinist yesterday for Samson g. Co., 70 Van
BureD street. where his brother is foreman.
The Sorensen whom the police have cap
tured is believed 10 be from New York.
The records of the Sailors Union, OF
which he is a member, show that he ar
rived from that city on the ship Susque-
hanna on April 90 last. For time alter
his arrival lie din odd jobs around shore
and became closely Identified with the
union TO which he belonged
Detectives who are WORK ing on the wa ter
front part IF the case have closely investi-
gated Sorensen's record since he landed,
and say that he frequently advocated the
use OF dynamite while talking with his