The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-03-01
Police Are Forging Links Around
Beutler'S MurdererS.
AFTER RICE'S ACCOMPLICE
ELVIN MITCHELL RELIED UPON
TO FURNISH INFORMATION.
By Giving In, He Will Be Able to
Exonerate Himself - Beutler's
Brother Arrives and Has Talk
With the Police Authorities.

The police finger on the dial of sus-
picion is apt to stop in its revolutions
any moment and indicate the accom-
plice of John Rice in that other finger
job which put an old umbrella mender
out of the way. Elvin Mitchell is relied
upon to tell the name of the third sus-
Feet whose whereabouts are at least
known 20 the police. department.
Mitchell has been subjected to the
sweating process by both Captain Es-
linger and Detective Sheets since his
confinement began in the murderers
row of the county Jail. Every influence
is being used to get Mitchell to give
up the knowledge which the police are
positive he has. Not at any time has
Mitchell been seriously considered as
.ae pal of Rice in the awful work OF
Feb. q. This fact accounts for the
failure of the department to have
placed Mitchell in custody until he was
ordered there by a justice of the peace.
Even then it was admitted tacitly that
Mitchell was not directly connected
with the deed, although suspected of
being familiar with the perpetrators
Since his arrest Mitchell has weakened
perceptibly, and to save his own skin
from possible conviction as an accom-
plice. il is thought he will tell every
thing.
Not for one moment since Captain
Eslinger began Investigating the case
has either he or Detective Sheets lost
sight of another man who was seen
lettering in the vicinity of the cave
on the very day of the murder. This
individual was an ill-favored type of
the genus thug, and tipped his hand"
TO the man VINO keeps a restaurant on
West Temple in the near vicinity of the
spot where the murder was committed.
He inquired of the merchant where
that old stiff lived who mended UNI
brellas.' AS the citizen knew no odd
stiff the information was not obtained
in that quarter. An accurate descrlp-
ton of this searcher for tips is in the
possession of the department, land it
fits a man suspected of the crime. He
is an acquaintance of John Rice; in
fact, a chum, and one of the notorious
Hunter gang, of which it is thought
Rice, Mitchell and Mrs. Buetler are
members Since the imprisonment OF
Rice. Mitchell and Mrs. Buetler, more
people who have hitherto withheld in
formation for fear of violence have
come forward and given the depart
ment some valuable assistance that
may, If necessary, be brought out at
the preliminary examination on Thurs
dav All of this new evidence points
conclusiveiy to the guilt of Rice and
the unknown, who has so far eluded
detection. Now, if Mitchell can be in
duced TO open his mouth, he may be
the instrument of bringing justice upon
the heads of Buetler's murderers and
at the same time save his own crop
from stretching or long Imprisonment
This is the trail along which the po
lice are now working, and with pros
poets of success.
Another piece of news has leaked
out. 1t is believed that Buetlers shack
did contain a respectable sum OF
money, and that it was obtained by
the murderers. AS a matter of fact,
the police are aware that the money
was secreted in the cabin. They nave
proof of the statement. They have
evidence that Mrs. Buetler threatened
the life of her husband. They have
more damaging evidence against Rice,
connecting him even more strongly
with the crime than first supposed, the
gist of which is withheld from publica-
ton because it has not peen considered
wise at this time to disclose its tenor:
Buetler had talked with Sheets and
Raleigh some time previous TO MS
death and stated to them that he was
seeking a divorce from his wife, and
was very much alarmed lest she might
attempt his life or have it done by
men with whom she was consorting at
MURRAY. He wanted Sheets and Raleigh |
to testify to her immoral character ]
when the application for divorce was
heard. At various times it was init |
mated by Buetler that he was the pos
SCISSOR of considerable money. He was
even alluded to by acquaintance as a
miser
The brother of Buetler arrived IN the |
city yesterday and visited police head I
quarters. He was unable to throw any /
light upon the causes leading to the /
but was able to say that /
his brother was a very peculiar man. |
He was a good stone and brick mason,
but had not worked at these trades |
for some time. He was also an expert |
maker.
1t is expected that County Attorney
Van Colt will conduct in person on /
the preliminary examination |
Of Rice. Mitchell and Mrs Buetler, !
providing the prisoners do not, by adj
vice of counsel. waive their rights,
n owe not at all unlikely.
CARRIED INSURANCE.
The brother of the dead man who
.ame to attend the inquest and OBJ
5equies, says that he thinks Buetler's
life was insured for $4,000. which, if
he case, would be an additional reason
why Mrs. Buetler may have wished
her husband to be put out of the way.