The San Francisco call., 1896-08-24
The Letter and the Money Acted as a
Decoy Which Led to the Capture
of the Man in Oakland.

considers no friend of his, to know the
names or residence OF those who will be
called upon when the defense opens to
prove that millionaire Campbell is mis-
taken when he says that he was constantly,
or at all, with him at the California-street
cottage.
But on the manner of his arrest in Oak
land by Detective Cody he is not so
silent.
In explaining his version Of how Cody
picked him out as Winthrop on the streets
of Oakland, he puts another color of very
different hue on the picture, and ifit be cor
rect, it did not require any of the wonder
ful sagacity which goes to make up great
detective who carries the image of the
criminal in mis- minds eye asleep and
awake.
The manner in which Winthrop was
betrayed is best told in his own language,
and, if he be correct, that arrest was due
to his w1fe's half sister, Mrs CornweIl, one
of the repudiated widows of "Old Pard,"
the pioneer engineer of the Southern
Pacific Railroad Company, who died lew
weeks ago.
This relative of his wife's was either the
innocent cause of sending the detective on
his trail, or she was led into the scheme
through some influence at present un-
known.
But let Winthrop tell the story.
ION Saturday" said he, "befnre | was
arrested, my wife's half-sister, Mrs. Corn
we'll, called upon my wife, and with her
came messenger-boy.
sAfter few preliminaries the boy pro-
duced 500 in gold twenties, and stated to
my wife that that amount had been sent
through him to me, but he would have to
deliver it in person. he could not give it
to second party.
''My wife hesitated and doubted the
boy, but finally parleyed on the persuasion
of Mrs. Cornwell, knowing that | had
some good, kind friends who would like
to assist me on seeing my name in the
papers as being charged with a serious
crime, and also knowing that l needed
money.
"At last she weakened and consented to
give the boy my address, writing it on an
envelope and delivering it to him, fully
believing that he would make the use of it
that he said be would. But instead of his
doing so l now have every reason to believe
it went into the hands of Captain Lees,
who saw that it was mailed and put De-
tective Cody on the hot trail, where he lost
no time until he made his wonderful ar
rest, at the instigation of that still more
wonderful man, Lees.
''Now this is the pure and simple story
of how | was caught.
THE $780, of course, l did not get; it
was used to induce my wife to make
known my whereabouts. which she fool
ishly did However, il makes little diff
ference, as knew | would have to stand
trial some time after Captain Lees had de-
cided TO couple me up with the crime.
my only object IN Disgusting myself
and remaining away from home was that
l might gather the evidence OF many per-
sons in whose company / had been on the
days that thew say | was with Campbell
before / would give myself up. l full we'll
knew If Lees caught me he would keep me
in iail. as he did before, and in that way
prevent me from finding my witnesses.
Zone thing that attracted the attention
of one of nv boys was while Mrs. Win
throp had gone into an adjoining room
for the writing material the messenger
bow was left alone with one OF my boys,
who noticed that the messenger had con-
cealed the front OF his cap, which gives
his number.
ssMy boy asked him what his number
was. This question seemed to somewhat
annoy the messenger, and in an evasive
sort of way he made some response,
which was not clearly understood by his
ouestioner. But the entry of Mrs. Win
throp prevented the further following up
of the inquiry on this subject, so the
matter was dropped, and the following
note, sealed in an envelope and directed to
AL BRONSON,
P. o. Oakland,
Alameda Co.,
Was handed the messenger boy, who took
his departure.
The letter, as near as Winthrop can re-
mem Der, simply read:
If you need any money send for it.; but don't
write to F. or P. Secure letter. DoDY
"Having written to my wife during the
week naturally expected letter, and con-
seoueutly on Monday forenoon I went to
the postoffice and asked if there was let
ter for .Al Bronson The man at the de-
livery window shuff1ed round a good deal
and stepped away from the window, but
returned in short time, and after search
ing through some letters in the B COM
partment handed me the letter.
ssI then thought there was omething
strange in his actions and as a result
slipped the letter into my pocket and hur-
ried away from the place. Just as l was
going to the doorway l saw some person
come out of side door, but did not wait
sufficiently long to take a good look at
him. However, / knew / was trapped
and hurried off as speedily as thought
prudent.
When about half block away from
the Dostoffice | heard footstep behind
me and presently low sized man passed
me, almost rubbing up against me and
when he had gone a few steps in advance
of me he turned round suddenly and said:
what is your name?' l said why do
ask? I'D like to know he said. My
name is AL Bronson replied.
1.-The remainder of the conversation
was Just as he tells it, and after a few
more questions he rudely pulled the
glasses from my face and said: Your
name is Winthrop and I am San Fran
cisco detective and / arrest you.' Now
this is the manner in which this wonder
ful arrest was made by one of Captain
Lees sharp detectives.
"Why, Chinaman lately imported
from Hongkong could have arrested me
in Oakland with the tip that had been
given.
II am anxious to find Wallace Fitz-