Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1897-02-08

Alice. The tug blew six Whistles, the
signal agreed upon if Butler was on
board, but detectives 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 wheth-
er Butler was on board. Suddenly a
red light flashed out through the dark
ness. This was another signal and the
officers knew their man was there.
Detectives Board the Vessel.
The custom boat Hartley 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 rap
idly away to the Swanhilda, which was
met off Fort Point. The detectives re-
manned concealed in the cabin while the
revenue officers went on board the Swan
hilda to see if Butler had been put in
irons. The officers said he had not and
detectives went on the ship. Butler
was pointed out and in a second was
handcuffed. He denied that he was But
ler, but was positively identified by De-
tectives McHattie and Conroy, who
came here from Australia for the pur-
pose. The suspected murderer was TAX
en- on board the Hartley, which soon
landed him at the wharf. The patrol
wagon was in waiting and he was
whirled off to prison
Although the arrest was a complete
surprise to the suspected man he main
tanned remarkable GOODNESS and calmly
pulled a cigarette as he went ashore.
Used the Name of One of His Victims.
Capt. Frazier of the Swanhilda said
Butler shipped with him as seaman
under the name of Lee Weller, one Of
his victims. All went we'll on the trip
o,,I
that the notorious murderer was on
board until yesterday. When it was
known that the vessel was near San
Francisco Butler asked Capt. Frazier
when the pilot appeared to slow UP as
he expected letters from Australia
When the pilot came aboard Butler ap-
preached him and asked: ''Weil, is It yes
or mop
The pilot did not know what he meant
and he gave no explanation.
Capt. Frazier was informed by the
pilot that it was supposed Butler was on
board under the assumed name Of Lee
Weller and told of arrangements Or his
capture. Capt. Frazier agreed to do all
in his power to help the police. Nothing
was said to Butler and the ship was
brought into port.
1t was agreed that when the crew
fined up for inspection, Capt. Frazier
was to step in front of Butler. When
lined up, Butler was the second man in
line. Capt. Frazier stopped an instant
in front of him and at the same time
Sergt. Bonner of the local police Gov
cred him with a pistol. Buffers hands
went up like a flash. Irons were slipped
over his wrists and one Of the most no.
tOrious criminals of modern times was q
prisoner.
Detectives McHattie and Conroy. who
knew Butler in Australia (Conroy hav-
ing narrowly escaped being one of his
victims), were disguised when they
boarded the SWanhilda and charged But
Ter with the crimes. He professed en-
tire innocence and denied that he was
Butler. On the way to the shore the dis
guises 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 differ
ent marks which correspondent to the in
itialS Of his victims.
The Australian officers are overioyed
at the successful outcome of their long
and weary wait. Extradition papers
have already been served and unless
something unforeseen happens Butler
and his custodians will sail for Austria
liza Thursday on the Monowai
r. Prisoner is Extre meIy English.
Butler is extremely English in appear
auce and speaks with a pronounced Eng
lisa accent. He gave his name at the
interviewed, refusing to make any state
ment as to his identity further than that
ais name is Elgan, but he admits having
shipped under the name Of Lee Weller.
Butler appears uIdisturbed by his posi-
aion and sits Wnccncernedly facing his
uuesti0ucrs with ccntemptuous Giances.
He affects TO be rather amused than
atharwiso at his DTCdicam1nt.,
Butler has 4 maley0lent expression,
but hardly looks like a confirmed Grim
inal, He is apparently about 81 years
old &nd his address suggests q man of
fair education, When his baggage was
brou@h! ashore any amount of incrimi-
natlGg cyeidence was found carefully
backed in his belongings. A photograph
of Mrs Weller, q pair Of Butcher boots
GA which were stamped Neller's name,
two watches, Il spectacle case and watch
c!iain with locket bearing Lee Weller,s
name and number of books on fine fly
leaves of which were the names of Wei
Ter and his wife and many other articles
regarded by detectives as positively con-
gncting him with the murdered sea cap
4atn and Drosuect0". The detectives are
very nositive as 10 the identity of their
prisoner and scott at any possibility Of q
mistake.
May be His Wife.
Mana. Cal, Feb Mrs. Eta Butler
of Napa thinks that she may be the wife
of Murderer Butler. who arrived on
board the SwanhIda. She was married
60 Butler FIVE years ago and lived with
him in San Francisco a few weeks, when
he deserted her She afterwards heard
he went to Australia She has 4 boy 3
years old by him now in the Vallejo
ORPHANS home Mrs. Butler has gone TO
San Francisco to see Butler.