The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-03


the Detectives From Australia swoor
Down Upop the Accused Murderer OF q
Dozen or More Victims Before He Has .
Chance to Set Foot on shore-Prisoner
Ia Cunning One. But Makes Damaging
| Admissions-Crime News.
San Francisco, Feb. 2.-George Ed
ward Butler, alias Asher, the murderer
| whose arrival on the ship SWanniida,
was so long expected, is now in the san
Francisco Jail. The Swanhilda was sight
ed at Sis this morning coming through
| the heads in tow Of the tug Alice. The
| rug blew six whistles, the signal agreed
upon if Butler was on board, but detec-
| tiyes waiting down the bay at Megg' S
wharf did not hear them, and although
they knew the Swanhilda was coming
in. they did not know whether Butler
was on board.
Suddenly, a red light flashed out
through the darkness. This was anoth-
er signal, and the officers knew their
man was on board.
The customs boat Hahtley, which had
been placed at the disposal of the police,
was boarded in haste by six detectives.
four newspaper men, and four revenue
officers. and the little vessel steamed
rapidly away TO the Swanhiida, winch
was met off Port oPint. The detectives
renamed concealed in the cabin while
the revenue officers went on board the
Swanhilda to see if Butler had been put
in irons. They reported that he had not
and detectives went to the ship. Butler
in q
hendcuffed. He denied that he was But
Ter but was positively identified by De-
tectiyes McHattie and Conroy, who
came here from Australia for that pur-
pose.
The suspected murderer was taken on
board the Hartley, which soon landed
him at the wharf The patrol wagon was
in waiting and ne was hustled off 10
prison.
Although the arrest was complete
surprise to the suspected man, he main
tanned remarkable GOODNESS, and calmly
puffed a cigarette as ne went ashore
CAPTAIN Frazier of the Swanhilda said
Butler shipped with him as seaman
under the name of Lee Wheeler, one or
his victims. All went well on the trip
across the Pacific. and 1t was not known
that the notorious murderer was on
board. Yesterday when it was known
that the vessel was near San Francisco,
Butler asked Captain Frazier when the
pilot appeared to slow up, as he ex-
pecled letters from Australia. When the
pilot came aboard Butler approached
him and asked 'fWell, is ii yes or no?'
The pilot did not know what he meant
and he gave no explanation. Captain
Frazier was informed by the pilot that
it was supposed Butler was on board
under the name of Lee Weller, and told
of the arrangements for his capture.
Captain Frazier agreed to do all in his
power to help the officers. Nothing was
said to Butler and the ship was brought
into port.
1t was agreed that when the crew lin
ed up for inspection, Captain Frazier
was to slip in front of Butler. When
the police came on board and the men
lined I'D, Butler was the second man in
the line. Captain Frazier stopped an in
slant in front of him, and at the same
time Sergeant Ronner of the local police
covered him with a pistol. Buffers
hands went up like flash. Irons were
slipped over his wrists and one of the
most notorious prisoners of modern
times was prisoner.
Detectives McHattie and Conroy, who
knew Butler in Australia, Conroy hav-
ing narrowly escaped being one of his
victims, were disguised when they board
ed the Swanhilda, when they charged
Butler with the crimes attributed to him
He professed entire ignorance and de, |
MED that his name was Butler. On board
the Hartley. on the way to the shore. the
DISCUSSES were removed and Still But
Ter pretended not to know his captors-
On the voyage from Newcastle Butler
worked as an ordinary seaman. In his
kit were found garments bearing differ
ent marks, which correspondent to the
initials of some of, his victims.
The -Austrahaf officers are overjoyed
at the successful outcome of their long
and weary watt iExtradiion papers
have already been: served and unless
something unforeseen. happens, Butler
and his custodians viii sail for Austria
liza Thursday on the Monawai.
Butler is extremely English in appear
ance and speaks with pronounced Eng
lish accent He gave his name at the
city prison as Eagan.
Butler is credited by the Australian
police with having murdered fourteen
men. His plan was 10 entice men whom
he knew to have money into the interior
ing camp. and then murder them. His
last victim was Captain Lee Weller, a
retired ship captain. Butler took his mo-
ney and clothes and shipped on the
Swanhilda under the name of Weller.
Butler declines TO be interviewed, re-
fusing 10 make any statement as to his
identity further than that his name is
Eagan but he admits having shipped
under the name of Lee Weller He re-
fuses. however. TO give any reason why
he assumed Weller's name. and declines
TO admit that he ever knusw Weller. He
says man is innocent until he Is prov
en- guilty. and says he will make no
statement regarding any portion of his
past history. Butler appears udisturbed
by his position. and sits unconcernedly
facing his Questioners with contemptu-
Gus glences. He affects 10 be rather
amused than otherwise at his predlca-
ment. He is below medium height and
is decides Insignificant in appearance.
He has a malevolent expression but
hardly locks Ike confirmed criminal.
He is apparently about % years old, and
his address suggests man of fair edu-
ca ton.
When his baggage was brought ashore
any quantity Of discriminating evidence
was found carefully packed with his
own belongings. A photograph OF Mrs.
Wheeler, a pair OF Butchers on which
we're stamped weller's nome. two watch
es, a spectacle case and watchchsin with
locl>et. all bearing Lee weller's name or
monogram. a number Of books, on the
fly leaves of which were the names OF
Weller and his wife. and many other ar
tiCleS. are considered by the detectives
as positively connecting him with the
murder OF the sea captain and prospec-
tor. The detectives are very positive as
to the identity Of their prisoner. and soon
at any possibility OF a mistake