The morning call., 1894-02-22
A SLASHERJACK
Sends a BlOOd=Curdling
Epistle.
Startling Disclosures Made by Fire
Marshal Towe While Sitting
Incendiary Fires.

Fire Marshal Towe has about completed his
investigation into the two lncendiary fires at
Mrs. Henckel's clearinghouse, 1922 Market
street, referred TO in Tuesdays CALL, aud
although he has been satisfied from the start
that the incendiary was an inmate OF the house.
he does not think he will get sufficient direct
proof TO fasten the crime upon the guilty person.
But his investigation has disclosed a startling
state of things, which will be best told in his
own words:
"Mrs. Mahoney OF 995 Market street SAYS
that woman, named Dr. Newton, hired her
front room and left on December 10, and
twenty minutes after she left Mrs. Mahoney.
with the girl. went into the room TO clean 1t up
and found lots of papers which she threw into
the giate fire so as 70 burn them up. when all OF
sudden an explosion occurred, not from the
fire, but from the hearth, blowing the iron In
front OF the CRATE out and breaking it. lt was
loud report followed by smoke and flame.
After the explosion she picked up some sub.
stance, which have now.
"The explosion was heard all over the house
and man named Walker, who said lie was in
the Maze opposite, came over 10 see If Mrs.
Newton's room was on fire and then went
away.
"On December 81 Mrs. Mahoney received the
following letter, which Is written In capital
letters with red INK
OAKLAND. CAL "The Three Graces"
JiTS. NGhoRey-MADAME: If you do not stop
your vie tongue about people you will get dose
IN your face that Will last you the remainder of
your life
dynamite do wonders. 1 give you fair
warning now. You've got hold of the wrong one
this time. You may wake up some morning and
ina yourself at home IN hell, where you belong
I'm on your trail. you she devil. and when Jack
the Slasher spots any one there goners, you know
JACK THE sLAsHER
''On the back of the sheet are drawings of a
stilettO, dagger. stick OF dynamite and a. bottle
marked 'NJtiOl.' Above the drawings are
the words: Thou Will fearest me- and under
meath, Il know thing or two; your house
needs Investigation. You know who Killed
him.
1.-The envelope bears the postofice mark San
Francisco. and not Oakland. showing that The
letter was posted in this city, aud that Oak
land" In the note was only blind.
The subs stance that caused The explosion,
Mrs. Mahoney saws, was done up in wax, which
melted over the floor and burned the carpet,
and made a loud report.
"a Maggie Winters also told Mrs Mahoney
that If Mrs. DR.. Newton did not stop foollug
with dynamite she would blow herself up as she
Is all the time experimenting With the stuff.
while Mrs. Newton was IN $50 Market
street she had coal black hair. She
left the city for about five weeks and
returned Swith snow-whlie hair. she now
has rooms at 1922 Market, opposite $50,
kept by Mrs. Heuckel, who has had TWO fires i'll
water-closet within the past week. The gas
has always been turned off at night. then turned
on again, thus making IL dangerous for sutfoca-
tlon. a doctor in her house has also had his
sign dstigured and torn OF.
Il visited No. 1922 and found evidence of
the fires. L also listened To Mrs HeuckePs
statement. l also saw Mrs. DIR. Newton and
found her queer woman. She said she was ac-
cused OF the iires. When spoke of the explo-
sion At 995 Market to hsr she wanted me 10 see
Mr.. Walker, as he knew all about it. Her hair
Is snow white and she seems very innocent.
She conducts doctors business.
Mrs. Henckel has rosted notice up In her
house Offering SO reward for the person who
did such malicious work To her, such as turning
of ana on the gas, mutilating The plaster. mutt
lating the doctors sign at the door and setting
the place ON ire twice. She does not blame
Mrs. DR.. Newton. but says she does not desire
her i'll the house"