The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-30

tnat ne nad Deen IN Butte ana knew
man named Brown there, that is all.
There is belief that possibly Grey
nolds'' and "Smythe" might have been
the same person-that if Read was not
Reynolds" then Smythe might have
been the author of the Reynolds" state
ment and sensational letter, and may still
be IN the flesh, enjoying the effect of his
mind; or, possibly, Read might have
adopted the name of Smythe in Butte,
Mont, thus appropriating the identity of
Smythe of Tucson, Ariz. But a query
arises here, which cannot just now be sat
lsfactorily answered, WAS Read the right
name OF the Point Bonita suicide of Sun
day?" The name of Charles Read, pro-
prietor of the Polypathic Surgical and
Medical Institute 1881 Suffer street." does
not appear in the City directories.
In the statements of Reynolds and
Smvthe there is much in their character
and formulation that is similar. The mo-
tive is the same, the manner of going
about it is the same and the style of die
ton is the same. Most of the sentences
are constructed after one fashion. They
begin with personal pronouns or names,
and each constitutes a simple declaration.
This similarity might be explained by
proof that, if the statements were made by
two different persons they became much
alike in their construction by passing
through the process Oh DGlflS WTltIeH OIG
by the same amanuensis, whoever ii might
have been that played the part of the aman-
uenSis.
Take the first sentences in each and
parallel them. MY name is George Rey-
nolds," begins one; MY name is Richard
Smythe," the other starts, land | am at
present rooming at the Central Lodging
House at 81 Market street, below Fifth, )"
saws Reynolds, land l room at the Mel
vile on Market street." states Smythe.
Thus identity, place and tense are estab-
llshed in the sa me order of succession, and
then follows a qualification as to time
"Where / have been for two weeks since
coming from Arizona" explains Smythe;
II have been there something over a
week." Reynolds informs.
Internationally it might be remarked
that the records OF the Central House show
no such name as that of George Reynolds,
and Smythe's "Melville on Market street.
is not IN existence. The Vendome, form
erly the Marquette, was several years ago
called the Melville. In one statement the
personality becomes doubtful if not en-
tirely fictitious, in the other the name OF
the place used throws discredit on the
reliability of the story.
But to continue with the parallel. Each
injects a little of his past history into his
story before getting down to the important
features-each with an apparent desire to
ness as plausibly as possible and beyond
the peradventure of doubt.
REYNOLDS. SMYTHE.
have been doing work During March and the
on ranches in the neigh greater part OF Al ril of
6orhood of san Miguel this year lived at
and in san Luis ObIspo about mile from
County Haywards.
The next parallel is as TO ability.
REYNOLDS. SMYTHE.
I have some little I was taking care of a
means OF my own and place for a Mr.. Jones.
am paying my own way. My wife and were
with me.
Before Smythe gets through with his
statement he tells of a Brown, but he
doesn't particularize with Brown any
more than. he does with Jones. In very
indefinite way he locates both these per-
sons, and whether they are accessible at
this day is not indicated. ''Smith,"
Jones' and Brown" are vague trinity
in ''Smythe's" information.
The most startling parallel comes, next.
Each is positive and very particular in
pretending knowledge of one OF the prin
cipals of the Dunant-Lamont tragedy, the
only difference being in the objective, one
choosing Durrant and the other Lamont:
REYNOLDS SMYTHE.
7 know Theodore Dur I knew Blanche La
rant well, and have been mont in her lifetime
acquainted with him for Miss Lamont came to
ten or twelve years. our house, etc. She came
Theo and 1 used to be to bid nay wife good
together considerably. by.
Then, of course, the two statements must
branch off as to circumstances one, how
ever, firmly fixing upon Durrant a its OBJ
jective; the other as firmly on Blanche La
mont, but the parallels of motive and style
still continue: