The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-03
GREETED BY POLICE.
Butler, the Australian 9Iulti-Mur
deFeP Under Arrest

derer Under Arrest.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 1.-The bark
SWarhilda, having on board the Aus
trelian murderer Butler, arrived this
morning at $50, after passage OF
seventy days from Newcastle The DO
lice and detectives, after three weeks
vigil, boarded the vessel as she en-
tered the harbor and captured Butler.
Although the arrest was complete
surprise to the suspected man, he
maintained remarkable GOODNESS and
calmly puffed a cigarette as he weat
ashore.
Capt. Frazier, of the Swanhilda. said
Butler shipped with him as a seaman.
under the name Of Lee Weller, one cf
his victims. All went we'll on the trip
across the Pacific, and it was not
known that the notorious murderer was
on board until yesterday. When it was
known the vessel was near San Fran
cisco, Butler asked Capt.. Frazier when
the pilot appeared to slow up, as he
expected letters from Australia. When
the pilot came aboard, Butler ap-
preached him and asked:
We'll, is it yes or no?"
The pilot did not know what he
meant, and he gave no explanation.
Capt. Frazier was informed by the pilot
that 1t was supposed Butler was ON
board under the name Of Lee Weller
and told Of arrangements for his cap
ture. Capt. Frazier agreed to do all
In his power to help the police. Moth
ing was said to Butler, and the ship
was brought into port.
Butler is extremely English in an
pearance, and speaks with a pronounce
ed English accent. He gave his name
at the city prison as Elgin. Butler is
credited by the Australian police with
having murdered fourteen men. His
plan was to entice men whom he knew
h9 int no int
the pretenSe Of examining a mining
claim, and then numbering them His
last victim was Capt. Lee Weller, a
retired sea captain. Butler took his
money and clothes, and shipped on the
Swanhilda, under the name of Weller.
Butler declines to be interviewed, re-
fusing to make any statement as to
his identity, further than that his name
is Elgan, but he admits having shipped
under the name of Lee Weller. Butler
appears undisturbed by his position,
and sits unconcernedly facing his ques-
tioners with contemptuous glances. He
affects to be rather amused than other
wise at his predicaGnent. He has a
malevolent expression, but hardly looks
like a confirmed criminal He is aD-
parently about q years old, and his
address suggests man of fair educa-
ton. When his baggage was brought
ashore, any amount of discriminating
evidence was found carefully packed
IL his belongings. A photograph Of
| Mrs. Weller, a pair of Butchers on
which were stamped Weller's name,
two watches. a spectacle case, and
watch chain with locket, bearing Lee
Weller's name, and a number of books,
on the fly leaves Of which were the
names of Weller and his wife, and
many other articles recorded by de-
tectives as positively connecting him
with the murdered sea captain and
prOspectOr The detectives are very pos
tive as to the identity of their prison.
en- and scott. at any possibility of a mis-
take.
When the Monowai sails for Aus
tralia Friday she will not take Butler
and the Australian detectives, as was
expected The prisoners presence is
required before United States Court
Commissioner Peacock next Monday.
and if Butler makes a technical de-
Tense to his extradftion he may remain
in San Francisco for several weeks.
When he was taken before the COM
missioner this afternoon he said his
name was Lee Weller. After Consta-
BILE Conroy, Of the Australian police,
had identified him as Butler the al
legged murderer, the prisoners attor-
neys asked for a continuance for ten
days in order to prepare a defense
Next Monday was set as a compromise
date for both sides. Butler MAIN
tains his policy Of reticence, and ALSO
lutely refuses to discuss his past. He
refuses even to look at q reporter I'M
less the newspaper man keeps him sup
piled with cigars When thus bribed
he will listen to questions. but will re-
turn no replies.