davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03

there was man accused of cold blooded
murders aboard were the captain and
chief officer.
According to Captain Fraser Weller was
zone OF the best sailors aboard the ship"
but according to the crew he was too much
of psaim-singer TO suit them. He used
to exhort the men o refrain from swear
ing and every Sunday there was PRAYER
meeting in the fo'cas'le. Said one of the
men yesterday: Weller was one of the
best hands at a prayer-meeting ever
came across. When 1t came TO furling
sail and the cIew lines were striking US
like the old d-fashioned canes we got; on our
hands at school many OF the lads would
curse and swear like troopers. When
everything had been made snug and the
watch was crouching under the break OF
the poop Weller would call the men to ac-
count. He would recount to each one OF
us the oaths' we had uttered under the
spur OF the moment and exhoct Us to
mend our way. Boys he would say,
there is a hereafter and you all believe
in it. Now what excuse will you have TO
make on the judgment day when you
come to aking an accounting for all the
blasDhemy you have uttered tonight Z
Some OF the answers are not fl to put In
print and Weller got many josh.
ION Sunday he used to hold a prayer
meeting, and he could talk, too, [ can tell
you. Why, he could talk about right
eousress and kingdom come like a
preacher, and once in a while he made
some OF US fellows feel pretty bad. Only
few days before we reached port he said
he was going to leave the ship, and he got
down on his knees and prayed that we
might all be saved-'brands plucked from
the burning, he called it.
''OT one or two occasions the old nan
and another of the officers dropped in at
the prayer-mee eetlngs, but they did not
seem to take much stock in the proceed
ings, and Weller noticed it. He said
nothing, however, but only prayed the
harder that the captain and all on board
might be brought to know righteousness.
When the police came aboard and Weller
was arrested, we were the most surprised
crew that ever came into San Francisco
Captain Fraser says that neither he hor
any OF his officers were present at any of
the PRAYER mt eetings, but he does say that
he and his chief officer kept a close watch
on Weller after he received the news from
the Taupo. After lengthy consultation it
was decided to allow the supposed mur-
derer his liberty and treat him just as
usual Captain Fraser says he was one of
the most willing men in the forecastle.
When the Swanhllda arrived off the
Farallopes Captain Harry Marshall of the
tug Active was TO the lee of the island and
at once went out TO her. Captain Fraser
asked for pilot and the tug signaed TOR
the America. Captain Miller was soon
aboard, and from II NJ. to 2:30 A. NJ. the
master of the Swanhilda was keeping his
vessel standing on and off, trying 10 make
up his mind as to taking tow. Finally
he accepted Captain Marshalrs offer, and
directly the lines were aboard the Active
blew six whistles, and John HysIop. the
Merchants Exchange efficient outlook, at
once flashed back the answering signal
and five minutes later the news was at
Meiggs wharf.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03

had it not been for those rat-like. cruel,
small gray eyes with their stealthy glances,
and had it not been for that stolid indiffer-
ence to sentiment that makes it easy to
believe him capable of murder as com
mercial enterprise or as profession.
Across the right side of his lower lip
there is a scar perhaps an inch long from
his mouth downward. His nose is not
fiat on the bridge as described His left
thumb nail is msformed, ridge cleaving
it lengthwise. The ring finger of his LETT
hand is tattooed with two parallel India
ink rings. He is not big man, but he is
compactly and strongly built. HIS meas
urements, taken later at the main police
station, show him to be only feet SA
inches in height. He weighs at present
but 154 pounds.
While seated there smoking he was
asked where he originally came from, but
he declined to furnisl any information.
Then turning TO one of his questioners he
remarked, "a mans innocent till he's
proved guilty" But when reminded that
an innocent man should have nothing to
fear from the truth concerning such
matters as nationality particularly he
made no reply.
The patrol-wagon was taxed to its full
capacity when the prisoner and his
numerous guards took seats. The officers
drove as rapidly as possibly to the City
Hall. Arrived there they conducted the
prisoner into an inner room on the first
floor. The news of his capture had pre-
ceded the wagon and curious persons stood
about hoping to get glimpse of the
murderer.
An examination of the prisoners effects
was speedily begun and careful invoice
was kept of each article by Officer Fergu-
son for this Government and by Detective
Roche for the Colonial Government of
Australia. Sergeant Bunner acted as in
spector, calling out the items one by one
as the things were taken from the large
valise and then from the bundle.
The prisoner. still silent, smoking, fur
lively watchfuI, was seated close to Fer
guson, and on the other side McHattie
took up his station. Behind stood police
man in uniform and one or two more were
in the room, together with the other off,
GERS.
AS the investigation proceeded the most
damaging testimony possible was found
among the mans effects.
There were all the murdered Captain
Lee Weller's mariners certificates and
some things that were inscribed to We'll
ler's dead wife. There were several mining
experts certificates in the name of Frank
Harwood and there were many pieces of
clothing marked F. H. or H., the supposi-
tion having been raised in Australia that
Butler had robbed Harwood, who is still
alive, and had used the name and papers.
to make his mining investment schemes
the more plausible.
Detective Conroy privately identified
the mining certificates as the very ones
that the prisoner had shown him in Svd-
ney last Septem Der. There were many
pieces of woman's iewe!ry. Some of them,
Conroy remarked, had been shown to him
at the time the certificate of mining was
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03

the man to whom he had, last September,
given a map of the Aubrey gold region at
the time Butler, then passing as Harwood,
mining expert, tried to induce Conroy to
join him IN mining exploration. Yes,
he said be did remember giving some one
that map, and he guessed Conroy was the
man.
By chance the Hartley reached the
wharf just as dozen or more marines
from the cutter Perry arrived from their
farewell alI-night shore leave, spent down.
town. Besides these men in sailor cos
tune there were perhaps dozen other
persons on the wharf at that early hour.
1t was then almost O. clock.
'Butler" was at once hustled upstairs
In the Harbor Police station, there to
await the police wagon that would carry
the whole official party to tho main police
station at the City Hall.
While Marshal Baldwin was telepboninp
the good news uptown, Detective John
Roche, as chief Australian representative,
was preparing terse message to be sent
by cable to Inspector General Fosberrv.
Sydney, New South Wales. Sergeant
Bunner, for the first time in three weeks.
exchanged his red flannel duty shirt for
white shirt, in which to go uptown with
the party.
Butler" sat on the lounge, with Fergu-
son holding one of his hands. He looked
furtively and from overhanging. shaggy
brows, taking in his surroundings and the
men about him. He was smoking a
cigarette, which was almost exhausted.
His hands were unnaturally pale and
Hooked thin. That may have been caused
by his watch on deck in the cold air of
the early N morning. He gave the impres.
sion of having lost weight. Conroy de-
clared that he was fully "a stone lighter
than when he last saw him in Sydney.
four months ago.
He puffed hard at the cigarette stump.
1t had gone out Some one asked him if
he would not like another cigarette.
IN take a cigar if you have one,"
coolly replied the prisoner; and the cigar
was forthcoming. YES" he remarked.
indifferently, between puffs, this makes
a very fair smoke"
He was collected. unfiurried, matter-of-
fact, almost Indifferent from be very first.
No bush mounted his cheek "~r did it
pale. AS with the cigarette frs gf en-so
with the cigar-he puffed regI.~riy on,
miserable, uncomely, poorly clad wretch
or whom you might easily have felt pity
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03

close to and facing MIN, suddenly, with a
quick movement of his right hand,
snatched the false beard from his own
face and in quick, dramatic tones de-
manded "Now do you know who | am? )
No" muttered Butler" in very low
tone, land l don't give a -"
They took the prisoner aft and into the
captains cabin, az the men dispersed at
the mates order.
The bloody must have robbed
somebody" remarked one of the sailors
as he moved away, wholly unconscious
that he and his companions had during
seventy long days al sea been closely asso-
ciated with man supposed to be one OF
the most heartless and cold blooded
murder fends of this century.
Silvey. McHattie and Conroy went for
ward to gather together this Lee Wei
ler's" effects, Upon his person they had
found no weapons. To be sure he was on
watch forward when the customs and
quarantine officers innocently came
aboard. He was dressed in an old dark
sack coat, the sleeves of which were rolled
up several inches in order to be short
enough for him. On his head was pecu-
liar little black felt hat. His old, patched
and faded blue overalls were short enough
TO reveal sockless ankles above bare feet
incased in old low shoes.
On Buffers bunk was a coat and vest
In a vest pocket were found six loose
cartridges A caliber. In the bunk also
was found one of those short. stubby, ugly
looking revolvers very appropriately
called English bulldog"
A large leather valise contained most OF
the mans things. The others they bun
died into a large blanket that had served
as a comforter
Meanwhile the officers were with their
man in the cabin aft. Detective Egan
taking the prisoners hat began to ex-
anime 1t on the inside. Turning out the
leather sweatband he came across a little
side the band. He unfolded the bit of
paper. There was some sort of white
powder. 1t might be strychnine. Later
developments showed that it was.
The baggage was brought off and they
were ready to move. Curiously enough
the prisoner had suggested that they ad
better shackle his ankles, too, while they
were about 1t. The hint was enough for
the detectives. They would not shackle
HIM, but they would tie a rope carefully
around him and guard against any slip
by which he might hope to fall over board.
AL this happened before the Swan
hilda had been towed in as far as Black
Point. There the little Hartley with her
extra passenger left the ship and steamed
ahead for Meiggs wharf.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03
BUFFERS TELL-TALE PROPERTY.

"'Well, he said this fellow may have
shipped under another name
"'Thats quite possible, 1 replied, but
1 know nothing about it, and so far as l
do know, 1 have no man of the kind
among my crew..
Finally the officer gave me bundle of
papers sent from the newspaper offices
Immediately before sailing and which had
never been opened. After he had gone I
started in to reau them for the news, and
the first thing 1 ran across was this mys-
terry, and the frs. or second paper read
mentioned Weller's name. Then L looked
up all the articles and went carefully
through them.
Il saw at once that Weller was the man
right enough. However l didn't say a
word to any body just then, but the follow
ing day called the mate and showed him
the newspaper articles which l had cut
out.
Read these over carefully said I.
"He did so and then said, This is the
man sure enough
Now said /, Il don't want this TO 60
any further. Don't say anything 10 a
living creature on board. Watch the man
closely, and if he mlsbehaves we will soon
take care of him. But so long as he be-
haves himself we will let him alone
Nothing more happened until we
reached this port and Butler was ar
rested.
Throughout the voyage the man,
though no seaman, showed himself a good
workman and knock about man. He was
also good helms sman, and took his turn
with the rest"
This was all Captain Fraser had to say,
and 1t is commonplace story enough
viewed in the light of recent speculations
as to the possible fate of the Swanhilda, in
which mutiny, murder and even the scut-
Ting of the unfortunate vessel were sug-
gested as by no means impro bab!e contin-
gencies.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03

produced, and "Harwood" had explained
that he had had them made from time to
time from nuggets he had picked up in
the mines. There were other things
marked with other names and other ini-
tials, all going to show that the prisoner
had borrowed from several places.
Detective Roche asserted privately that
he could identify the blue serge coat and
vest found among Buffers things as the
one last worn by the murdered Preston,
The evidence was abundant, and the
favored spectators looked on in wonder
ment at the composure OF the prisoner
and marveled how he could have been SO
foolish as to preserve such documents.
There were found but two gold sovereigns
mot another cent of money.
One Of the greatest surprises of the ex-
animation was that to Detective Conroy
himself when Captain Lees, who even
tually arrived and assumed control. read
in checkbook the name MRS. Colin
O'Connor."
"The dickens! That's my sister,"
impulslvely blurted out Conroy as he
hurried round to examine the exhibit.
He explained later that while he was
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03

tributed to me 1 could have made an
attempt to escape, but did not. 1 knew
three weeks and half ago that l was
wanted here and would be arrested upon
my arrival on a charge OF killing two
people. l knew 1 could clear myself,
however, so l submitted to arrest
1.-The news was conveyed to our ship by
passing vessel and it reached me through
one of the officers
81 promised Butler not 10 tell the Off
GERS name" said Captain Lees.
He told me that he knew Conroy. the
Australian official here to arrest him, but
did nothave any dealings with him in re-
gard to mines. All the dealings he had
with him were when he called at Con-
roy's house to court one OF the latter's girl
relatiyes'
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03

does the fellow mean?' She ran in still
closer and signaled us, Have you any
passengers aboard? ran up, NO.
This time she was close under our quar-
ter. Then she signaIed, 'Heave to; l
have something important to communi-
cate.
'We complied. A boat was lowered
and her second officer came aboard US.
He Joined me on the poop, carrying q
bundle of papers, with one opened. Cap
tain - sends his compliments he re-
marked, 'and thought you would be anx-
ious to know about this" and he whis-
pered about the murders. 1 took him
into the chartroom and there read the ac-
count in the paper, which, however,
didn't mention Weller's name at all, but
Buffers.
We'll, said I. Il fancy the authoritie s
must be wrong, because 1 have no man oi
that name on my articles, and 1 have an
exceptionally good crew, as it happens
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03
HE WAS A PSALM-SINGER.
The Suspect Distinguished Him.
self on Board the SWanhilda
as an ExhOrter.

self on Board the SWanhida
as an Exhorter.
The captain of the Swanhilda was not
making long rep rts yesterday. All that
the Merchants Exchange reporter could
get out of him was November 30 off
north end of New Zealand was in COM
pany with the British ship Olivebank and
American ship Sterling from Newcastle,
n. S. W., for San Francisco"
From New Zealand all three vessels
steered direct course tor the Fiji Islands
and all three arrived off the coast OF Cali
fornia about the same time. There are
two square-rggers outside according to
last reports, and one of them, so the tow
poat captains say, is either the Olivebank
or Sterling. The latter has the choice in
the betting.
1t wall be noticed that after leaving the
north end OF New Zealand the log OF the
Swanhilda is a sealed book. Captain
Fraser met the Union Steamship Com
pany's Taupo in the vicinity OF the Fiji
Islands and the steamer slgnaled the ship
to heave to for papers. Among the papers
was a letter from the captain of the
steamer telling Captain Fraser that he
had the murderer on board. From that
date the log the Swauhllda, as lar as
tuc puuAlC 10 COuCSIueQ1 DuTlSQ IN OD-
livion.
The members of the crew are not as reti-
cent. however. They say that Weller was
one of the best sailors on the ship He
was anxious to reach San Francisco in
order to see his old mother, who lives in
Toronto, before she died, and frequently
| remarked that 1.-The old man woul d have
made better time had he taken the north
ern course, (the same course taken by the
Snow and Burgess, which arrived ahead
of the heeD. AS il was the vessel was
delayed by light winds and Gains, and
Captain Fraser, after he received the letter
from the Taupo, had TO possess his soul in
patience and trust in providence and his
chief officer. The latter was at once taken
into Captain Fraser's confidence, and after
due dellberation they decid ed to let mat
ters move along as they were going. They
reasoned thus: Nineteen days out and a
probab bic run of fifty days before US. Ii
we put Weller in irons we can't keep the
rest OF the crew away from him, and the
chances are that he will plead persecu-
tion; that he is not the man wanted:
that the officers were acting without war.
rant" and then there would have been
trouble, maybe mutiny.
Accordingly not a word was said and
the only men on board who knew that
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03
WAS CALM AND COMPOSED
Butler Showed No Emotion and
Talked GuardedIy to Cap
tain Lees,

On the way in TO the wharf, while the
detectives and other officers we're smil-
ingly trying TO pat themselves and their
companions on the back, Conroy again
asked Butler" if he did not recall him as
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03
BUTLER IN COURT.
He Tells Commissioner Heacock
HIS Name Is Weller

His Name Is Weller.
When it became generally known that
the notorious Australian criminal was con-
fined in.the prisoners room of the Apprais-
ers' building yesterday morning hundreds
OF visitors hastened to the building to
catch glimpse of the man of whose
bloody deeds they had read.
During the day probably 5000 people,
many OF them women, saw the man
charged with so many crimes, fer the Mar
shal was accommodating and allowed all
who came to see.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-03

Captain Donald Fraser master the
waiin - ~
Fraser nav OF Nova Scotia and the making
friends IN this city He is young who
on board ship OF
liked - wa
The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1897-03-03
NEW SPRING EFFECTS

We
1ons we tnd giving you goods this
New
to please
DAVIS & DOZIER Dawson C2aOrora
The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1897-03-03
NEGROES MUST EAT.
RAILROAD COMMISSION SUGGESTS
LUNCH ROOMS FOR THEM.
Bishop Turner Was Thirsty and There
Was No One in Macon to Give Him
a Cup of Tea.

The state railroad commission sug-
gests to the arrangements of railways
that they make some provision at eat
ing places to accommodate negroes.
The commissioners do not say that
they have or have not the authority to
regulate this matter, but they say it
is just, and they think the roads will
look after it without any rule from the
board.
This question came up on a request
from Bishop Turner, who complained
that In travelling by the Central from
Savannah to Atlanta he had asked for
a cup of tea or coffee at Parker's eat
ing place at the depot in Macon and it
was refused him. The bishop stated
that he was very tired and cold and
needed something hot, but there was
no stand where he could get lunch.
He said there are many negroes trav-
cling constantly who get hungry just
like white folks, and they would like
the railroads to rent a room some
where about their eating stations
where cOlOred caterers could serve
meals or lunches.
The commissioners directed that a
letter be sent to President Conner of
the Central asking him to arrange for
lunches for cOlOred passengers at Ma
con,
The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1897-03-03

and get away. In nine cases out of ten we
failed to catch thieves with the rowboats
Now we can overhaul them so quickly that
they will have no chance to escape or get
rid of their plumber ="
There are four of the new launches.
They 90 through the water swiftly enough
to overtale the ordinary river craft with
ease, and they make comparatively little
noise Each launch has lights at night,
but the lights can be Elanketed quickly
when the police want to get near susT /.
cious boat without attracting attention,
and the flash from a bullseye lantern can
he used to direct the launch to any point
In the darkness.
The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1897-03-03
AMERICA AT THE HEAD.
More Fighting Men In the United States
Than In Amy Other Country.

The adjutant general of the regular army
has laid before congress, as provided by
law, a statement of the number of men in
the United States physically able to per-
form military duty if called upon to do so.
The number of such men is 1O,O24. 5S4.
The number is important, because it shows
that the United States has more men avail
able for war than any other nation in the
world. The foremost place was held pre-
viously by Russia.
The best estimates put the present popu-
lation of the United States at ". 600, 600.
The population of Russia by the last esti-
mates was S0,000,000. The number of
available men in Russia however, is not
so large in proportion to the whole popu-
lation. In the first place the proportion of
male residents in the United States is lar
ger. The immigration to the United States
is mostly male, and there has been some
emigration from Russia, almost wholly
male. According to the last federal cen
sus OF the United States, there were ], 500. =
900 more male than female residents of
this country, while from the last authentic
Russian census it appeared that for every
1000 male persons in Russia there were
1907 females. Moreover, there is a much
larger class of noncOmbatants in Russia
than in the United States. BY "noncon-
batants' are meant those who, for religious
or other reasons, are opposed to warfare
and secure exemption.
According to the last figures at hand,
there were $500. 900 Hebrews in Russia,
and there are 500, 900 in the United States.
Years ago the Quaker population was CON
siderable in some American states, par
ticularly Pennsylvania, but there are now
only 100,0 900 members of all the denomina-
lions of Friends in this country.-New
York SI1n
The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1897-03-03

The largest oak board ever sawed was
ripped from the body of a mammoth
tree which formerly stood near Scots
burg, Ind. The tree was 81 feet in cir
conference, and was said to be the
largest perfectly round oak in the state
1t was purchased by H. Hermann, the
New York lumber dealer, for the sum
of $50, and was cut down ala sawed
into boards. The largest of these boards
was 10 inches thick, feet 2 % inches
wide at the butt and feet exactly at
the top. 1t was 30 feet long, and re.
quired the combined strength of two
yoke of oxen and eight horses a whole
day to move it ! q miles on "broad
tread" wagon from the sawmill to the
depot Lumbermen say that this was
the largest OAK board ever sawed in
America. st. Louis Republic.
The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1897-03-03
STEVENS & YEOMANS
REAL ESTATE AGENTS,
FOR SALE

LOO acres near Parrot. $50 under
plow. A good place cheap.
2.--440 acres 10 miles from Dawson 9ON
acres in cultivation; fine land. Price
way down.
al, 200 acres near Dover. 600 under
plow well improved. A fine farm
cheap.
1900 acres near Sasser. 600 in cult
walton; splendid Improvements, A
bargain.
5.-150 acres miles from Parrot. Mag
nificent Improvements. A desirable
home cheap.
GA desirable home in Dawson. room
house, 2 acres ofland,
For Rent House and lot in Dawson.
Desirably located.
Give US a trial.
STEVENS & YEOMANS.