The San Francisco call., 1897-03-24
BLAN TIER
ROBS THE
GALL LOWS
Mrs. Langfeldt's Murderer
Succumbs to the
Poison.
PERISHES MIsERABLY IN
PRISON.
Feared Meeting a Friend and a
Detective More Than
Death.
ARCHITECT DODGE IDENTIFIES
THE SUICIDES BODY.
All That r mains for Officer Gibson
TO Do Is TO Secure Photographs
of the Dead Man.

MERIDIAN, TEX, March 23.-"Pro-
lessor Arthur Forbes" as he has been
known for several months past to the
people of Meridian and Kopperl, was
identified this morning at daybreak by
one who knew him in San Francisco and
who for several months had been his init
mate friend as Josef E. Blanther, muir
derer OF Mrs. Langfeldt.
G. A. Dodge, who came from California
to say the word that would Sc nd the Kop-
perl schoolmaster to the gallows, looked
at the dead face of his one-time friend and
said ''It is he." But Blanther was be-
yond the reach. of the law. From the
time that Blanther was placed under
arrest, while on the point of leaving Kop-
perl, by John Womack and Homer Ran
dali. he dreaded the arrival of the Caiifor-
mans more than he dreaded death.
Saturday night he was told that the Off
GERS would most likely arrive Sunday,
and at II O'Clock that night he quietly
swallowed the poison which he had car
ried for the purpose OF suicide perhaps for
months.
When Dodge was asked if he was GER
tain OF Rlanther,s identity he said: "The
who knew BIanther as l have known him
there can be no mistake. He was a man
that l would know in thousand. He has
now chin beard, which he was without
when | last saw him, but know him as
would my brother. This was not cheer
fnl task for me. although Blanther in
voIved me in his unenviable notoriety.
have not the slightest feeling of Twill
toward MIN. l would have given much
70 meet him alive. but it is too late now.
l see that three of Blanther's fingers
bear the marks of what 1 am sure is the
result of cuts made by his razor when
with his left hand he held back the head
Of his victim to make certain the fearful
stroke which nearly severed her head
from her body. This has proved to me
beyond doubt that Blanther was guilty.
II believe l was the last who knew him
in~San Francisco to see him, and | am the
FIST and only one that knew him tn ere to
see him now"
MIR. Dodge arrived here on the train at
4 O'Clock this morning, having been on
the journey since the 18th inst. Detective
Gibson telegraphed from San Antonio
yesterday morning to know OF Blanther's
condition. On arriving at Rosen berg
junction he received telegram from
Sheriff Boyd that Blanther was all
right, 80 to save time he went at once to
Austin to obtain the necessary papers
for Blanther's requlsition. while Dodge
came at once to Meridian. When the Office
opened in the morning telegram was
sent TO inform Gibson that Blanther was
dead.
The detective from California is ex-
pected to arrive at Meridian tomorrow
morning. Justice OF the Peace A. J. Ste
vens held an inquest this morning. Mr..
Dodge swore to the identity of the dead
man as Josef E. Blanther, and the verdict
OF suicide by means OF poison was rem
dered.
The body will be photographed to-mor-
row upon Gibson's arrival and will then
be buried. Blanther's effects will be taken
in charge by the officers from California.