The morning call., 1894-03-21
could not be penetrated by an ordinary

could not be penetrated by an ordinary
pistol bullet.
His pistols are always handy, and big
sheathknife is kept within reach. The
coffin mentioned was ordered two years
ago and is kept to remind the public, in
case Of the owners sudden and violent
demise, that he was prepared for the
worst and was ready to meet death.
Wheeler of midday is, to all appear
ances. a perfectly rational man of even
temperament and cheerful disposition.
He views his big black coffin with non-
chal ance aud talks good common-sense
about the opium ring. He knows some.
thing about the traffic in opium. OF this
there can be no doubt, for he speaks with
intelligence about Reed, Whalley, NAL
colin and others of past and present
power in that crooked line of business.
Though pauper to all outward visible
signs, on any save state occasions, Wheeler
is man of some wealth. He has money
in bank and property in different parts Of
the county.
A midnight visit to Wheeer's was tried
and failed, but yesterday the old man con-
sented TO an interview.
The first noticeable object in his abode
is huge coffin standing upon end in one
corner OF the room.
1t was purchased nearly three years ago
by him and taken to his miserable apart
ments.
Inside it is trimmed in elegant fashion.
The white satin Innings are of the richest
manufacture, in harmony with the exquis-
ite finish of the case.
Lying neatly folded upon the quilted pil-
low is The shroud, another habiliment of
death.
Nothing is lacking. even the silver orna-
ments. handles and plate that are 10 adOIn
the outside. They lie, neatly wrapped in
tissue paper, at the end of the casket.
The only other furniture In the first
room, or the one from which the door opens
out upon the street, is a small Kitchen
table. sea-chest. leather trunk, TWO
tumble-down flour barrels aud a heavy
stick of cCrdwood, used 10 barricade the
street door.
The walls are dark and soiled, showing
in several places where bullets have
pierced tie plaster.
The glass door leading to the inner or
dining room is heavily draped with old
clothes and papers. shutting out what
little sunshine that might by chance seek
to penetrate the interior
On a small wooden table are the imple-
ments OF war, consisting Of two big As.
caliber revolvers, a huge dirk knife and
two large pocket-knives, with the blades
open at both ends. These weapons are
always in the same position.
AT night the table is drawn close to the
side of the bed. so tha in case of an alarm
oil ha hrop inf L
Between the bed and the wall, separat-
ing Wheeler's apartments from the vacant
storeroom next door is pile of cordwood
standing on end. These sticks. he says,
will serve as shield to stop a bullet fired
through the thin wall partition.
Ali the doors and windows leading to
the back. where his dry-house is located,
are securely fastened by means of heavy
logs rolled up against them.
Hoarded up and hidden away he has
considerable money. Besides this he has
snug bank account.
Why he keeps portion of his wealth in
his rooms is to prevent his being CON-
PEELED to travel back and forth TO the
bank. thus exposing himself to his imag-
ined assasins.
Wheeler is a German, and most of the
wealth he now possesses was accumulated
in California.
He was born in Baden seventy-three
years ago. In 1S45 be emigrated to Amer
lea. landing in New York, where he
opened a small tailor-shop. He remained
there four years and came to California in
1S49.
From time shortly after his arrival uu-
til 1863 he kept a saloon at the corner of
Washington and Sansome streets. In
that year he sold out his saloon business
and went to Seneca. where he opened up a
grocery-store and invested in mining pro D
erty.
Until 1881 he lived in Calaveras County,
when he sold out his interests and removed
to San Francisco, opening up a dye-shop
on Folsom street. almost opposite where be
now lives.