The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-02
ELK AND BURGE
ARE. SUSPECTED
Rival Yachtsmen May
Have Slain Brooks:
SHERIFF ON "A NEW TRAIL
BELIEVES DEcKHAND NELSON
rs INNOCENT. +.
Evidence duplicating the Present
Navigator of the Chispa and
the Keeper of Another
Bay Craft.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


SAN RAFAEL, Oct. .1.-"For some
time l have doubted whether or not
Peter Nelson were guilty of the muir
der Of Captain Brooks, and several
clews obtained in the last few days
have thoroughly convinced me that he
is entirely innocent of the crime"
This was the answer given by Sheriff
Harrison to-day when questioned as TO
the progress made in the investigation
Of the Chispa tragedy. Taken in con-
nection with this declaration the fact
that for three days the county authori-
ties have been pursuing a different line
of research shows clearly that sus-
pfcion has fallen upon other parties,
and this despite the accumulating evil
dence encircling the deckhand. The
strangest part of it all is that this
opinion obtains in spite of the strong
circumstantial link furnished by Ed
win Atwater, the night Waterman on
Nelson picked up on the night of the
tragedy and yet is certain that no boat
left the Chispa.
If the authorities believe Nelson in
nocent of the crime his story of the as
SdSSlHdllOD Is given CIeQSIlCe. OIleIIlL
Harrison frankly admits this to be
true, and is even willing to name the
persons suspected They are Ike"
Elk, the present navigator: of the
Chispa and Nick" Burge, keeper of
another yacht at SauSalitQ. If suftl-
cient evidence can be obtained land de-
tectfves are industriously following up
clews on both: sides of the bayl, both
will. be placed under arrest.
IS have in raSerVP
Cannot be ascertained, and they abso-.
lutely refuse to give. their hand away:
The: only known reasons why Elk and
Burge rest under suspicion are the re-
lations they sustain toward each other,
the strained relations between. Elk and
the; murdered man, the fact that. Elk
wished the position of navigator. of the
Chispa, the knowledge that .Rurge
Wished to: obtain it for an entirely diff
ferent reason, the conflicting stories
told by the two men and the: peculiar
letter written to Commodore; Cutie: by
Burge without the knowledge Of Elk
himself.
The. officials assert that during the
time Elk worked for Captain Brooks
they had bitter quarrel, which re-
suited in Elk breaking two of the: cap
.taiu's ribs with kick. In addition to
the desire of Elk for Brooks position
this is taken to show also that he might
crime by personal animosity.
The tale about Burge being on Oak
land Creek has, according to Sheriff
Harrison, been" proved to be false. The
letter written to Commodore Cutie is
regarded as q most important bit of
evidence. It was written on Saturday
morning so Rurge claims, by Mrs. Elk
in San Francisco. The postmark on the
letter shows that-it was mailed in
Sausalto. Why a letter written in San
Francisco should have been carried all
the way to Sausalito for mailing is
something that puzzles the inyesti-
gators. 1t is. not believed that. Burge-
could have known of; the murder at
the time he did and had Mrs Elk write
the letter unless he had knowledge Of
the murder before he claims he did.
1t is believed that in the evidence the
refuse to disclose is a. letter
in Mrs. Elks handwriting which will be
used to show that the letter to: Comnne-
dore Cutie was written before the muir
der, or that Mrs. Elk did not write it
at ALL
A lawyer named Steven B. Howard
came to San Rafael to-day and had
with Nelson. in. the latter's
cell At the conclusion Nelson request
ed to see the Sheriff and asked when he
was to be released. He said he was
tired of being incarcerated without any
charge being preferred against him,
and If not given his freedom he would
take legal steps to obtain 1t. 1t Is
Thought Nelson will. be released soon,
as. in view of the change of opinion as
TO who committed the murder, and the
character of the evidence against him,
there seems to be no reason for holding
him in confinement. longer.