Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-02-03

San Francisco. February George
Edward Butler. alias Ashe, the mur-
derer, whose arrival on the steamship
Swanhilda was so long expected. is
now in San Francisco Jail. The Swan
hilda was sighted at 5:15 this morning,
coming through the heads in tow of
the tug Alice The tug blew six
whistles, the signal agreed upon if But
Ter was on board, but detectives wait
ing down the bay at Meggs' wharf did
not hear them, and although they knew
the Swanhilda was coming in, they did
not know that Butler was on board.
Suddenly a red light flashed out
through the darkness. This was an
other signal, and the officers knew their
man was there.
The customs 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 YES
sci steamed rapidly away 10 the Swan
hilda, which was met off Fort Port.
The detectives remained concealed in
the cabin while the revenue officers
went on board the Swanhilda TO see if
Butler had been put in irons They
reported he had not. and the detectives
went on the ship. Butler was pointed
out, and in a second was handcuffed.
| He denied that he was Butler. but was
positively identified by Detectives Nc
Hattie and Conroy, who came here
| from Australia for that purpose.
Although the arrest was complete
surprise TO the suspected man, he
maintained remarkable GOODNESS and
calmly puffed cigarette as ne went
ashore.
Capt. Frazier, of the Swanhilda, said
Butler shipped with him as a seaman
! under the name of Lee Weller one of
his victims. All went well on the trip
| across the Pacific and it was not known
that the notorious murderer was on
board. until yesterday. When i was
known the vessel was near San Fran
cisco. Butler asked Captain Frazier
when the pilot appeared TO slow up as
he expected letters from Australia.
When the pilot came abroad, Butler
approached him and asked: We'll, is
it yes or no?' The pilot did not know
what he meant and he gave no eX-
PLANTATION. Captain Frazier was in
formed by the pilot that it was sup
posed Butler was on board under the
I name of Lee Weller and told of ar
rangements for 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
lined up for inspection, Capt. Frazier
was to stop in front of Butler When
the police came on board and the men
lined up. Butler was the second man in
line. Captain Frazier stopped an in
stant in front of him and at the same
time Sergeant Bonner. OF the local
| police, covered him with pistol. But
ler's hands went up like a fash. Irons
were slipped over his wrists and one Of
the most notorious criminals of mod
ern times was a 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. When they
charged Butler with the crimes at
tributed to him he professed entire
ignorance and denied that his name
was Butler On the BARLEY on the
way 10 the shore the DISCUSSES were re-
moved and still Butler pretended not
TO know his CaptOrs.
On the voyage from New Castle. But
Ter worked as an ordinary seaman.
In his kit were found garments bearing
different marks which cOrresponded 20
the initials of some of his victims
The Australian officers are overjoyed
az 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.
Butler is extremely English in ap-
pearance and speaks with a prOnOuac-
ed English accent He gave his name
az the city prison as Elgan.
Butler declines 20 be interviewed. re-
fusing 20 make any statement as to his
identity than that his name is Elgan.
but he admits having shipped under the
name of Lee Weller. He refuses. how
ever. TO give any reason why he assum-
ed Weller's name and declines to admit
that he ever knew Weller. He says
man is innocent until he is proven
guilty and says he will make no state
ment regarding any portion Of his past
history. Butler appears undisturbed
by his position and sits unconcernedly
facing his Questioners with cOntemptu-
Gus glances. He affects to he rather
amused than otherwise at his predica-
ment. He is below medium height and
is decidedly insignificant in appearance
He has a malevolent expression but
hardly looks like a confirmed crimi-
nal. He is apparently about twenty
seven years old and his address sug-
gests man of fair education.
When his baggage was brought
ashore anv amount of discriminating
evidence was found carefully packed
in his belongings. A photograph Of
Mrs. Weller a pair of bluchers on
which were stamped Weller's name
two watches. a spectacle case and watch
chain with locket bearing Lee Weller S
name and a number Of hooks on the
1v leaves of which were the names OF
Weller and his wife aud many other
articles recorded by detectives as pos
itively connecting him with the mur-
dered sea captain and prospector. The
detectives are very positive as TO the
identity of their prisoner and soon al
any possibility of a mistake.
The Swanhilda sailed from Newcas-