The San Francisco call., 1898-08-27

letters which were sent to his wife before she was murdered, and sev- eral persons have expressed an opin- ion that the authorship Of the note which accompanied the poisoned bon bons was also written by the same hand. The police are still in the dark as to the character and amount of ev- idence the Delaware officer is bring ing to secure the extradition of the accused woman. Her attorneys will not permit her removal from the State unless the requisition Is per feet.
 State Detective McVey of Della ware is expected here Sunday or Monday.
 Unknown persons are said to be tampering with Clerk Gattrell of Stockton.
 Experts on handwriting will be the principal witnesses in the trial of Mrs W. A Botl1in, if she is ever brought before Judge and jury to answer to the charge of poisoning Mrs. J. P. Dunning and Mrs. J. D. Deane.
 Chief Lees will not declare what evi- dence he has succeeded in gathering preparatory to the arrival of State De tectfve McVey of Delaware but it is known that samples of the handwrit- ing of the accused woman are diligent- ly and eagerly sought for by the po lice. Several letters written by her to Cunning and to other parties have already been obtained As soon as AcVey reaches this city comparisons will be made with the anonymous let ters sent from San Francisco to Mrs. Dunning. The address on the fatal package of bonbons and the note in closed within it will also be submitted to microscopic and other tests to dis cover, If possible, If they were written by the woman now under arrest for the awful crime.
 The result of many famous criminal and and civil cases have hinged com pletely on the testimony of scientific experts in chirography and the i'm pending trial of Mrs. Botkin will add another to the long list
 =" It has repeatedly been demonstrated that handwriting is distinctively indi- vidual and that only an expert forger can completely disguise idfosyncrasies which characterize Q persons script. Temperament and character are DOT ,: trayed in letters and signatures to a far greater degree than most people appreciate, and the police are. there fore especially anxious about the opin- ion which will be given by the experts after they have examined the writings tn the Cunning case.
 Several persons familiar with Mrs. Botkin's writing have declared that there is a startling similarity in the strokes, Shadfngs, curves and letters and other characteristics and the pub Kshed fac similes of the anonymous letters and the note sent in the candy box. Mrs. Louise Seeley, one of the alleged poisoner's former friends. has noticed the similitude in the writings and Chief Lees has also formed an opinion in the matter. These opinions, however, are of no value as evidence and not until scientific tests have been completed will their soundness be de monstrated.
 J. P Cunning, the husband of one of the victims, is reported as having de clared that the anonymous letters re ceived by his wife were written by Mrs. Botkin. Cunning ought to be able to recognize her chirography as he has received numerous epistles from her since he left San Francisco.
 Samples of the writing in the case, 1t is said, have been tested by noted Eastern experts and they have de clared they were all written by the same hand. Cunning will be one of the chief witnesses In the case and will identify Mrs. Botkin's writing. assum- ing of course, that she will go to Del aware and be placed on trial.
 Chief Lees, assisted by Detectives Gibson and Wrenn. is arranging all the evidence they have secured, which Is to be turned over to Detective McVey when he arrives. The Delaware officer is expected Sunday or Monday even ing.
 .. Chief Lees Is a bit apprehensive re- garding the extradition proceedings, as there are so many technicalities In the laws which the defendants re- sourceful attorneys can raise to pre- vent her removal from the State Anti cipating a bitter technical fight on be- half of Mrs. Botkin, the Chief yester- day sent tine following telegram to Attorney-General R. c. White of Della ware, in reply to message asking what affidavits would be required to secure the eXtradition of the woman now under arrest:
 Separate afidavits from all parties knowing any facts tending to show who fee authorities of date of receipt of box, to whom delivered, by whom delivered to the victims, who partook of candy, date of deaths, with cause; names of victims, attending physicians on deceased; that candy contained poison; aff1davits from sis, with result; parties present at eating of candy. All these, with such other affl- davtts obtainable concerning proof of guilt as would be sufficient to hold the de- fendant to answer before magistrate for final trial; and must be attached to and properly exernplified by magistrate and County, Clerk and authepticated accord ing to law.
 
 facts, will undoubtedly be able to hold and extradite. If requistion mailed does not contain sufficient facts as above pre- pare others and forward as soon as pos sible. Direct to me. She will resist reGui- sition, and has two able attorneys. True name on arrest of defendant given to me as Cordela Botkin. Have requistion pa pers strictly legal, as they will be strictly construed
 Acting District Attorney Hosmer and Assistant District Attorney Joseph J. Dunne are the Chiefs legal advisers in this case and they will conduct the case for the Delaware authorities when the Governor Is asked to grant the re- quisition. These attorneys are care fully examining the law and are forti- flying themselves for a hard fight
 Whether or not Governor Budd will grant the requisition is wholly prob lematical, as 1t is not known what evil dence the Eastern detectives have ob- tained.
 Chief Lees intimates that he has ac- cumulated some strong circumstantial evidence which connects Mrs. Botkin