The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03

From the information now obtained by
the police, with the assistance of the
newspapers in this case the press re-
porters have performed a great public
duty-it has been gathered that curing
the early part OF October advertisements
appeared in the Sydney papers to the fol-
lowing effect: Wanted mate TO go
prospecting equal shares; experience not
necessary. Apply S22 George street."
These premises are occupied by Mr.. C.
]. Thompson, who. conducts refresh
ment-room there The advertisement
brought about dozen answers, the appli-
cants appearing in person.
Among them was young man named
Arthur Thomas o. Preston, aged 20, the
son of a wellknown draper in Brisbane,
Queensland. Young Preston, who was a
studious youth, was staying at Synney,
where for the past few months he had
been stu living geology and mineralogy,
ward at the Sydney University. He was
most quiet ana respectable an active
worker In connection with the Newtown
(Sydney) Baptist Sunday-school, a mem"
Der of the local Christian Endeavor Soci-
ETY., and be was well-built young Aus
tralian. In Sydney he boarded with a
Mrs. Williams at Redfern. When he
Octobe II, he had with him a Young
friend anu fellow-lodger named Robert
Fielding. Preston went in by himself,
but soon came out for his chum, who then
went in with him.
Fielding saw two men there, and was
introduced to one of them. He could not
recollect the mans name, but subse-
quently he identified a photo as that of
the man. The picture was that of q man
staying at Mr.. Thompson's, who went by
the name of Harwood. This man told Pres
ton that he was qualified mining expert
and had sold a share IN a mine at Nyma-
gee, n. S. W., for $1,000. After conversa-
ton with the man Preston agreed to go
prospecting with him, and on the follow
ing Monday evening the two set out by
train for Emu Plans, small station at
the foot of The Blue Mountains, about
forty miles from Sydney. on the Western
Railway. Preston apparently had little
money with him when he went away, not
more than $50, but the clothing he took
has afforded means OF cer;ain identifica-
ton. By a coincidence, Mr.. Thompson,
the reireshment-room keeper, travelled by
the same train, but in a different car
riage. He saw Preston and the man
known as Harwood get out at Emu Plains,
and Harwood then told him they would
camp for one night outside the township
and so on in the morning. Harwood. who
h ad regular arsenal of weapons. three re-
volyers, knife and a Winchester rifle, at
Emu Plains.
Six days afterward Thompson saw Har-
wood in Sydney and said, Hello, are you
back again? What's the matter with
you2" Harwood replied, 'Oh, that young
fellow was 100 soft, he petered out and L
came back to lock Ior another mate
A few days after this the advertisement
for prospecting mate appeared again
with different address. "40l Pitt street" F."
which is the Metropolitan Hotel. In re-
ply 10 the advertisement this time came
Captain Lee Weller, retired master mar
iner who arrived in Newcastle Il few
months ago as a passenger in the ship
South Esk from South Africa. He was ac-
companied by his wife and their intention
was TO proceed in the South Esk to Amer
lea. but the miners strike at Newcastl de-
layed the vessel, which was bound with
coal for the west coast of America. While
the vessel was thus delayed Captain Wei
ler came to Sydney TO see friend, R. A.
Lackham of the Sydney Bulletin office.
| While he was here MS vile died suddenly
from heart disease on board the ship at
Newcastle. This sad occurrence altered
the captains intentions and he decided to
remain for time N this colony.
Soon after Mrs. Weilers death he came
| to sydney, and, after an interview with
the advertiser at the Metropolitan Hotel
Weller and Harwood, the advertiser, whC
r.
Sydney by train for Glenbrook, the sta
tion beyond Emu Plains, on the Blue
Mountains. Weller lao with him large
brown sea chest when he left his lodgings
but this was placed in the luggage-room al
the Sydney railway station, and it was
subsequently called for and taken away
by man who was not Weller.
few davs later Harwood or Butler 1--WE
will call him Butler henceforth) was seen
by some railway men returning 10 Sydney
alone. de said his mate was i'll.
About q fortnight ter search was
commenced for the missing men. On
November %, one local constable ana some
residents at Glenbrook found the burnt
remains of some clothing and the rem
naut of pocketbook bearing the letters
''R a. LaCkh"-which was identified as a
portion OF book given by McLackha IN to
Captain Weller. The ashes of an old
campfire were found and not far away
were discovered pair of trousers marked
"F. h, " black leather Logging with ''Jar-
man, maker, Brisbane" on the inside,
and a serge coat, under one sleeve OF
which was an aperture AS If made by Il
knife thrust. The suspicious OF foul play
were thus confirmed.
A strong body of police including sew
eral young natives who are expert BUSH
men, and several detectives, were at once
sent up from Sydney and TWO aboriginals,
DlaCktrackerS attached to the police, were
brought from up-country stations. All
the most suitable men of the Sydney
police were dispatched to take part in the
search, and soon clews to the mysterious
disappearanceS were obtained. Piece by
piece and skein by skein the twisted
threads of the mystery were slowly but
surely unraveled. Residents in the neigh
borhood of Glen brook and Linden, 9
small station few miles further on,
brought forward information of having
seen Butler first with Preston and after
ward with Weller.
The country all around these two places
is of the widest and most rugged char.
actor. On the rise o. the Blue Mountains
Glen brook is the commencement of heavy
mountainous country, rank, wild Austria,
lian bush, here and there thick belt o.
gum trees, here ana there steep and rocky
precipices with great gullies or ravines in
tangled underground. Half a mile from
was and where the burnt pocket book wa:
| found, was the scene of Weller's murder
The search parties divided into two sec
! tions, one to seek Weller or his corpse
the other to look for Preston or his re-
| mains.
The search for young Preston was sadly
successful. Following up the clews glver
| Dy residents who had seen Butler and
Preston together the searchers, who haC
| been much struck with Buffers evident
| knowledge of the locality, came acros:
their tracks on Tuesday. December L
! Near gully not far from Linden a flame
undershirt marked "a. T. o. P" wa,
! found the garment being slit down the