The Indianapolis journal., 1897-02-03
AN AUSTRALIAN FIEND
ARREST OF GEORGE EDWARD But
LER IN SAN FRANCISCO HARBOR.
Murderer Who Is Charged with Lur-
ing His Victims Into the Mining
Regions and killing II Men.

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 2.-George Ed
ward Butler, alias Ashe, the murderer
whose arrival on the ship Swanhilda was
so long expected, is now in the San Fran
cisco jail. The Swanhilda was sighted at
5:lo O'Clock this morning coming through
the heads in tow of the tug Alice. Detec-
tives boarded the ship and placed Butler in
irons. Although the arrest was complete
surprise to the suspected man, he main
tanned remarkable GOODNESS and calmly
puffed a cigarette as he went ashore.
Captain Frasier, of the Swanhilda, said
Butler shipped with him under the name
of Lee Weller or his victims. Detec-
tives McHattie and Conroy, who knew But
Ter in Australia, Conroy having narrowly
escaped being one of his victims, were dis
guised when they boarded the SwanMlda.
When they charged Butler with the crime
attributed TO him he professed entire ignor-
ance and denied that his name was Butler
On the Hartley, on the way TO the shore.
the disguises were removed. and still Butler
pretended not to know his captors. On the
voyage from Newcastle Butler worked as
an ordinary seaman. In his kit were found
garments bearing different marks which
correspond to the initials of some of his
victims. The Australian officers are over
joyed at the successful outcome Of their
long and weary wait. Extradition papers
have already been served and unless some
thing unforeseen happens Butler and his
custodians will sail for Australia Thursday
on the Monowai
Butler is extremely English i'm appearance
and speaks with pronounced English ac-
cent. He gave his name at the city prison
as Elgan. Butler is charged by the Aus
tralian police with having murdered four
teen men. His plan was To entice men
whom he knew to have money into the
interior under the pretence of examining
mining claims and then murder them. His
fast victim was Capt. Lee Weller. a retired
sea captain. Butler took his money and
clothes and shipped under the name of
Weller. Butler declines to be interviewed
refusing to make any statement as to his
Identity further than that his name is
Elgan but he admits having shipped under
ever. To give any reason why he assumed
Weliers name and declines TO admit that
he ever knew Weller He says a man is
innocent until he is proven guilty and says
portion OF his past history. Butler appears
undisturbed by his position and sits un-
concernedly facing his queStioners with
contemptuous glances. He affects TO be
rather amused than otherwise at his pre-
dicament. He is below medium height and
II decidedly insignificant i'm appearance III,
| has a malevolent expression. but hardly
looks like a confirmed criminal. He is APP
parently about twenty-seven years old and
MS ADDRESS suggests a man Of fair educa-
| ton. When mis- baggage was brought
ashore any amount of discriminating evil
dence was found carefully packed i'm his
belongings n photograph of Mrs Weller
a PAIR OF bluchers on which We're stamped
Neiier ; name, two watches. a spectacle
case, watch chain with a locket bearing
Lee Wellers name and number of books
| on the fly leaves of which were the names
OF Weller and his wife and many Other
articles recorded by detectives positively
| captain and prospector. The detectives are
very positive as to the identity of their
prisoner and scoff at any possibility of q
mistake
State commissioner this afternoon he said
| his name was Lee Weller. After Consta bIs
Conroy. of the Australian police had iden.
tined him as Butler. the alleged murderer
| tinuance for ten days in order to prepare :
| defense. Next Monday was set by the com
missioner as compromise date for botl
| sides. Butler maintains his policy of ret
| icence and absolutely refuses to discus.
MS past except for momentary lapses
when shrewd question throws him tenn
porarily off his guard Butler is displaying
| much cunning. but IL is OF rather a low
order He refuses even TO look at a re
porter unless the newspaper man keeps hin
supplied with cigars. when he smokes i'm
| cessantly When thus braced. he will lister
| To questions, but will seldom return re
plies.
Mrs. Eta Butler of Mana. thinks tha
| she may be the wife of murderer Butler
/ She was married to Butler five wears ug,
and lived with him i'm San Francisco y few
weeks. when he deserted her. She after
wards heard he went to Australia She ha,
! a boy three years old by him now i'm Val
i leio. Mrs. Butler will come to san Fran
/ cisco 10 see Butler.