The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-21

or accommodation houses in various parts
of the country, and so their movements
were as far as possible kept secret; IN fact,
they were convicted of keeping brothel
in Lord Nelson street, Liverpool, and Still
well lived there, knowing it to be brothel.
By appointment / saw Mr.. Cooper, the
secretary of the Liverpool Typographical
Society, and with him examined the books
of the society, and found that Stllwel
was admitted member on November IA,
1874, and was expelled November 8, 1878,
for rafting, meaning that he had taken
employment at place not allowable I'M
der the society's rules. 1 made further
inquiry as to Stilwell's connection with the
forgery of Brazilian stamps. He was sus-
pected because he was living at the same
place as Byone, who was in possession OF
the dies for making the stamps and that
he and Stilweli were closely associated
with each other; and it was proven, also,
that he knew what Byone was doing, and
so was an accessory, for which he could
have been criminally charged had the
offense been proceeded with. Stilwell
would probably remember me, as l adjudi-
Gated on the case in my official capacity"
AS throwing some light on Stilwels
character, letter, of which the following
is a copy, will be submitted to the Grand
Jury:
PORTLAND, Christmas Night.
Mr.. Larry Bdrton-MY DEAR LARRY: know
what you want, but 1 cannot give it to you.
Myexperience with him cost me $1,000 in three
months, and my confidence in him left me
without a chance to get even.
All that I know of him is what he told me-
He said that he was born near Liverpool, Eng
land, and was printer by trade. He is prac-
teal printer. He had charge of school of
some kind in which the pupils were taught
the type-setting business.
Ny recollection of what he told me was that
he was a reporter on commercial paper in
Liverpool and sailed on the steamship Indiana,
Captain Sergeant. When he landed in Phila-
delphia he took trip TO Canada and there got
married.
1 have heard all kinds of stories about him
as to his former wife and why he had to leave
Liverpool, but do not recollect the story.
If you have a correspondent in Liverpool he
should dig up his history for you. His nature
is dishonest, believe, as he tried to take adj
vantage OF my parents confidence in me-
While writing this I remember that was
told that he was compelled to leave Canada
one night and that he had to leave England.
His father-in-law, Poulin, 1 don't believe knows
anything about his history previous to his
arrival in Canada.
The man has record, am sure, and will
tell you why. One night I had blood in my
eye and had man by the throat and felt like
killing him. Stilwell took hold of me and
said: "Let him go. You will do time if you
don't watch. 1 did it and l know what l am
talking about"
A newspaper man tumbles If he is hit and
tumbled then, but it was too late.
Fancy this letter may give you pointer, and
If I can give you any more suggestions let me
know. Liverpool is the place that you want to
hear from first. Yours, R. L. LEE.
Septimus de Greayer, stock broker,
said yesterday that he has good reason to
remember Private Detective Stilwell.
Speaking of StilwelPs employment as an
expert on the ferry foundation, considering
his record in the past, Mr.. de Greayer
said:
~ am surprised that such a man as
Stilwell could be selected to perform off,
cial duties of any kind where the material
interests of reputable citizens are at stake,
and more especially in such an important
matter as this.
GAS far as know him he is man with
out vestige of honor or trustworthiness.
Shortly after my brothers death Stilwell
came to me and said he was going to Los
Angeles to see about some property. He
wanted loan of $50 as a matter of con-
venience for few days. l told him l did
not have the money to spare, but he pressed
the matter and told me he had done me
service in the reports of the tragedy in the
columns of the Examiner. Finally he said
that he wanted the money so badly that he
would make it matter of honor with me
as to payment.
"At last acquiesced and gave him $50,
taking his note therefor, in which he
agreed to pay the money ten days after
date. That was on June IL, 1892. He
went to Los Angeles, and in order to carry
out his contemplate tricky work he sent
me telegram from there that he would
be delayed for a few days and could not
settle the note until his return.
"That was the last saw or heard of him
until few months ago, when / met him
in an elevator and l spoke to him plainly
about his deception. He informed me that
he would call upon me and pay the note in
a few days and-well. here's the note, and
I guess it is not worth the paper it's written
on.
81 have heard many scaly transactions
mentioned in connection with Stilwell's
name, but that is the only experience
ever had with him, and it is enough. He
might have cost me more"
Harry N Gray Of Gray Brothers, in
speaking of the attack made by Stilwell on
his firm, said:
For long time have heard rumors of
Stilwell's back history, but have never had
any proof in regard to his derelictions.
am told, however, that the evidence will be
forthcoming if he demands an investiga-
ton of the charges made against him by
those who pretend to be well acquainted
with him. In regard to his insinuations
against the company of which l am d
member, desire to say that we never had
anything to do with the furnishing of the
cement used in the ferry foundations.
Every body who knows the facts will tes-
tify that ] am telling the simple truth
when say this. 1t seems rather hard that
a reputable business man should be made
to suffer by being pilloried by an ex-con-
vict, a man who has been convicted of
criminal libel and has served time IN Jail
for that crime man who has once been