The record-union., 1897-02-03

Commissioner on Monday.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. Frank
Butler, the Australian murderer, is at
last under arrest. He was brought into
port this morning aboard the British
ship Swanhilda, and was promptly
taken from the vessel by the law of1i-
GERS. put on board the cutter Hartley,
landed at Meiggs wharf and carried in
a patrol wagon to the City Prison.
The Swanhilda, the vessel on which
he was serving as a sailor before the
mast, passed through the Golden Gate
at a little after , o'clock this morning.
The English and the local detectives
who have been on watch for the past
three weeks were made aware of her
approach by a prearranged signal from
the towing tug. and in the revenue cut
ter Hartley they rapidly made for the
side of the mist-cOvered ship.
Following a carefully prearranged
plan, the local police officers, Sergeant
Bunner. Detectives Egan and SiIvey
accompanied the custom officers on
board the ship, the party going in the
following order Boarding Officer L.
A Spra que, Sealing Officer Ferguson.
National Quarantine Officer DR.. Ros-
neau. Sergeant Bunner, Police Officer
Ferguson and Detectives Egan and Sill
vey. The colonial detectives. Roche,
McHattic and Constable COnroy, re-
NAMED in concealment in order not to
arouse Buffers suspicious.
A few short customary greetings
were exchanged as the little party clam
berad over the side Of the ship, and,
headed by DR.. ROsneau, they made
straight for the cabin. A brief explain
alton was made to Captain Fraser, ard
at DR. Rosneau's request the crew was
mustered aft for medical inspection.
Captain Fraser commenced to call off
the names. each man responding. But
Ter. who was known on the ship as Lee
Weller. was the fourth man in line. and
when his name had been called anG bis
response made. Sergeant Bunner in
stantly stepped before him, and, with
a drawn pistol. ordered him to throw up
his hands.
Hold on" cried Butler. as he stepped
back, apparently taken by surprise,
with his hands only partially raised.
Throw up your hands or l will shoot
you" responded Bunner, following him
closely.
Up went the murderer's hands, and in
less time than it takes to describe il,
Detective Egan, who had taken his 30
sition behind the crew. grabbed Buffers
wrists and handcuffed him.
In the meantime Detectives Roche
and McHattie the Australian officers,
had taken their position at the doors of
the forecastle, and a search was i'm
mediately made for Buffers luggage,
which was located in and under his
bunk on the port side Of the ship. This
consisted Of a large leather portman-
teau. a bundle of clothes done up in
a travelling blanket and a siX-shootcr
and forty cartridges. which were found
hidden under the straw pillow upon
which Butler had lain
The suspected murderer was taken on
board the Hartley, which soon landed
him at the wharf. a patrol wagon was
in waiting. and he was hustled off to
prison. Although the arrest was com
pIete surprise to the suspected man, he
maintained remarkable coolness, and
calmly puffed a cigarette as he went
ashore.
Detectives McHattie and Conroy, who
knew Butler in Australia, Conroy hav-
ing HdIIQN4A tSAdE%A D1Aiaea CA4N VI AA-N'
victims. were disguised when they
boarded the swanhilda- When they
charged Butler with the crimes at
tributed to him. he pr0fessed entire
ignorance and denied that his name
was Butler.
on board the Hartley on the way 10
shore, the DISCUSSES were removed and
still Butler pretended not to know his
castle Butler worked as an ordinary
seaman In his kit were found gat-
rnents bearing different marks, whic h
correspond to the initials of some Of
his victims The Australian officers
are overjOyed at the successful out
come Of their long and weary wait.
Fxtradftion papers have already been
secured and they expect soon to take
him back TO Australia
Butler declines to be interviewed. re-
fusing TO make any statement as 10 his
Identity further than that his name is
Fgan but he admits having shipped
under the name of Lee Weller. He re-
fuses. however to give any reason why
no assumed Wellers name and de-
clines TO admit that he even knew We'll
ler He saws man is innocent until
he is proven guilty. and says he VIII
make no statement regarding any por-
ton of his past history.
Butler appears undisturbed by his
position. and sits unconcernedly facing
his questioners with contemptuous
glances He affects 10 be rather
amused than otherwise at his prediea-
ment. He Is below medium hight. and is
decidedly insignificant in appearance.
He has a maleyolerit expression. but
hardly looks like confirmed criminal.
He is apparently about 81 years old,
and his address suggests a man Of fair
education. When his baggage was
brought ashore any quantity Of incrim-
mating evidence against him was
found carefully packed in with his own
belongings.
photograph of Mrs. Weller. a pair
of biuchers on which were stamped
Weller's name. two watches, a specta-
Gle case and a watch and chain with
a locket. ell bearing Lee Weller's name
or monogram; a number of books; on
the fly leaves of which were the names