Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-02
Government Refuses to Give Up an
Alleged Murderer.
DEMAND COMES FROM JAMAICA
Victim Was an American Named
Best Harding Archer.
HISTORY OF THE CA Sc

KINGSTON. Jamaica. November 1.-The
government Of Costa Rica has definitely re-
fused to surrender Rutherford. the man
charged with the murder OF the American
citizen. Archer. unless the British govern
meut guarantees not to inflIct- capital pun
ishment. to which the government cannot
aecede. thus closing the case, 50 far as ia
maica is concerned.
Ear.y IL 1897 an American Of the name Of
Best Harding Archer arrived in jamaica
for the purpose Of taking up land and en-
gaging IN fruit cultivation. To al appear
anCes he possessed considerable means
both in ready money and personal effects.
Archer secured a property known as
Eden Vale in the parish of Portland, a
most valuable place for his purpose, but
situated on the very outskirts of cfviliza-
ton end reached by a road that led no
farther. As a companion and partner IN
his venture he secured the services of
Jamaican named Rutherford.
Archer's Body Found.
October %. 1897, the body Of Archer was
found in an unfrequented spot In a pool of
hood. The body showed two pistol shot
vGunds. one through the brain and the
other through the heart. There was no
weapon found and the flannel undershirt,
SHIRT and coat were buttoned up and found
70 be unQerforated by the bullet that en-
tered the heart. The body also lay face
downward on q pile OF broken stones, vet
tie face was not bruised. The effects of
the deceased were found to have been
stolen.
IN spite Of these facts the police of the
district, after a delay of a week, set up a
theory of suicide. with which they went
before the coroners jury. The coroner,
who was the resident magistrate. refused
to allow such a verdict on the evidence,
and the recorded verdict was that Tho de-
ceased came to his death from the effects
of two pistol shots, but by whom dis
charged does not appear from the evidence
As the circumstances surrounding the
death of the deceased are so suspicious We
would suggest that the police be instructed
TO institute further vigilant investigation.
Notice of Suicide.
In January. 1898, the government formal
ly notified the United States consul that
Archer had committed suicide. Meanwhile
Mr.. EIworthy had kept up a lively cores
pOndence with the colonial secretary, point
ing out the criminal negligence and inca
pacity of the police, but his representations
had no effect
Early in the present year there was a
shutting of the police. and one result was
the transfer to Portland of one Of the
shrewdest and most active inspectors on
The force. Inspector Mcleod. In the in
term Mr.. ElwOrthy. a Justice. of the peace,
and d friend Of Archer had been quietly
carrying en- = private investigation, with a
View TO the ultimate clearing of the MEM
uTy OF his friend from the stain or suicide
and TO bring the murderer TO justice. He
placed the results in the hands of Mcleod,
and, after considering them, that officer
united with M ElwOrthy in urging the
government 10 order TeUpening of the in
qUiry.
This was done What new evidence has
been brought forward has not, of course,
trauspired. but Rutherford. who. inme-
d.ately after the holding of the inquest,
disappeared from the island. was located
in Costa Rica. where he was arrested on
an extradition warrant from the Jamaican
government