The San Francisco call., 1896-01-15
Three Policemen Awaited the
Docking of the Steamer
Excelsior.
WAS IT AN ELoPEMENT {?
Captain Higgins Was Arrested for
Libel, but Runaway Couple
Escaped.


rived from San Diego yesterday morning,
met with warm reception. AS soon as
she docked at Mission-street wharf three
police officers boarded her. Two of them
were on the lookout for runaway couple
and the third had warrant for the arrest
of Captain ]. T. Higgins on the charge OF
libel.
About a month ago Gunder Johnson
was first assistant engineer of the Excel
sior, but the captain and he could not
agree and Johnson was discharged. He
took his case before the Marine Engineers
Association, and that body demanded an
explanation from Captain Higgins. The
latter wrote back saying Johnson was in
the habit of getting drunk and that he was
no good as an engineer. This letter John
son secured, and on it he bases his libel
suit. Higgins was taken to the Harbor
Police station and gave $500 cash bail.
The runaway couple came up as Mr.. and
Mrs. Miller, but at the Golden West Hotel
they gave the name OF Mr.. and Mrs. Frear.
The woman was accompanied by two
children, and the entire party occupied
one stateroom during the voyage. From
the hotel they went to private house and
there the police located them and placed
them under surveillance. Who they are
Captain Lees refuses to state. A couple of
days ago he received a telegram from San
Diego asking him to keep track Of the
couple and that some one would be along
in a short time to take the woman back.
On the Excelsior no one knew anything
more about Mr.. and Mrs. Miller than that
they got on at San Diego and had acted in
a very quiet and unobtrusive manner. The
woman is ladylike, according 10 Mate Don
aldson, but the man appeared TO have
worked hard for a living.
Chief Crowley on Monday received the
following dispatch from A. C. Mitchell,
County Attorney, and L. W. Hindman,
Sheriff, Lawrence, kans.:
Arrest Bert Rich, alias 3. A. Miller, and Mrs.
E. L. Charlton. They will arrive on Excelsior
from san Diego in san Francisco with two boys,
Tuesday. Husband of Mrs. E. L. Charlton
starts from Lawrence, Kansas, to-day. Charge
abduction.
Yesterday the Chief received the follow
ing dispatch from Z. l.. Charlton from
Denver:
Am on way there VIII arrive Thursday
evening. Hold parties sure. Take good care
OF boys and wife.
1t was not the intention of the Chief to
arrest Rich and Mrs. Charlton, but he
gave instructions to Captain Dunlevy OF
the Harbor Police simply TO locate them.
In view of the publicity given to the affair
he decided last night 10 order their arrest,
and they and the boys were taken to the
City Prison by Policeman Ferguson.
They had registered at the International
Hotel yesterday morning as brother and
sister, and later went to a roominglhouse
on Geary street, where Policeman Fergu-
son found them.
Rich, when seen in the City Prison, was
reluctant to talk about his arrest, but GER
tain facts were drawn out OF him He said
that Charlton was steward of the Deaf
and Dumb Institute at Oletha, Kans.,
which is about four miles from Lawrence
His wife and two boys, one 10 years of age
and the other 6, lived there with him.
'He treated her like brute.'' said Rich
land come what Will she won't live with
him again. He talks about abduction
Why, there's no abduction about it.
met her at New Orleans about TWO weeks
ago, and we went to San Diego together.
She asked me to assist her and I did So
She is perfect lady in every respect No,
she is not my sister, but 1 have been a
brother to her in her trouble, and l mean
to help her as much as can. / only wish
Charlton was here. ana mechanic and
age is So"
Mrs. Charlton retired to bed in Matron
Gilmore's apartments and refused TO be
disturbed.