Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-18
AROUND BOYS
NECK ROPE
TIGHTENS
WARRANT IS ISSUED CHARGING
YOUNG BARTHoLIN WITH
THE MURDER OF HIS MOTH
Err AND SWEETHEART.

CHICAGO, Aug. 16-Oscar Thompson,
the star boarder at the Bartholin's, is in
the county Jail, formally charged with
the murder Of Mrs. Ann Bartholin.
That Is the most startling development
today in the famous murder mystery.
The boarder, who has been the center of
so much speculation, was arrested in
Judge Patton's court late IN the afternoon.
He was brought down there in order to
be present at the habeas corpus proceed
ings which his lawyers had instituted.
Before the matter could be heard the
police and Thompson's attorney had an
agreement by which the habeas corpus
proceedings were dismissed and com
plants were sworn to charging Oscar
Thompson with the murder of Minnie
Mitchell.
In the latter complaint It was alleged
that Thompson and Claafy were accesso-
ries before the fact. warrants were issued
and the men were arrested and held.
Neither seemed much disturbed or excited.
Thompson smiled broadly several times
and joked with Claffy while a photogra-
pher was taking his picture.
There was no formally in the court
room. Judge G. w. Patton, Of Pontiac,
presided, and by him On the bench sat
Judge Chytraus. The defendants were
represented by ATTORNEY M. W. Meagher
and Hugh Murray, assistant city prosecu-
tor looked after the interests Of the peo-
pie. After the formalittes had been. ar
ranged and the warrants issued the two
men were at once turned over to the Gus
tody of a sheriffs deputy. who escorted
them to the county jail.
New Witness Is Found.
Besides this the most notable occur
renee of the day was the finding by the
police Of new witness, a man who
claims to have seen the laundry wagon
at the corner of 74th and State streets at
8 o'clock on the morning OF July 31st, the
day after Minnie Mitchell disappeared.
This man. whose name Is Fred Wolf, in
telling his story to Inspector Hunt. said:
1T am nearly a cripple and have been
told to take early morning walks, and on
one of these was out on the Prairie at
O'Clock on Thursday morning, July 81 1t
was at 74th and State streets that saw
a laundry wagon standing. 1t attracted
nv attention, not only because of the de-
serted nature of the district, but because
it was standing close to the curb, in fact,
right up to 1t. I did not get q good look
at the persons in the wagon and do not in
fact know whether there was more than
one Some one was there. hoewver, as
could see the h0rssfwas AQf free.
II ffave been thinBitlg this tfing over
ever since the story Of the murder was
told, but did not attach great significance
to it until after Mrs. Talleerday told Of
what she saw. Then 1 thought ought to
speak"
Mr.. Wolf described infinitely the wagon
which he had seen. He was then taken to
Aagaard's laundry and at once pointed it
out among a dozen other such vehicles.
The spot at which he claims to have
seen the wagon is but a few steps from
where the body OF Minnie Mitchell was
discovered.
Nothing Seen of 5arthoIln.
Besides this no new evidence has come
to light. The search for Bartholin so far
has been completely unsuccessful. There
has been no relaxation in the efforts to To-
cate him, however. Eevry day dozens of
clews o his whereabouts are run down,
all of which turn oHt to be unfounded.
The man has vanished utterly 1t is one of
the most remarkable flights in all GRIM
inal history and the police are utterly baf-
fed by it.
A remarkable letter fell into the hands
of the police tonight. 1t is the most start
ling and valuable clue that has as yet
been unearthed. 1t was written on July
11th, and directed to Edward Counsel
man, 11743 Sangamon street. Bartholir
himself called at Counselman's house and
left it with his wife. Eta Counselman.
The letter reads as follows:
Friend Ed: Can you come over to see
me tonight sometime before p. m. at
the house? The old lady is not at home.
She has gone to Milwaukee. 1 would like
to see you sure, as l am in heap of trou-
BILE What 1 want is If you can let me
take a couple of dollars until next Satur-
day, when / will repay 1t. 1 have to have
about $50 Monday morning without fail,
as I have got mixed in a scrape, Will ex-
plain to you later. Now, Ed, I hope you
can help me out little and may be able
to do you a favor in the future. So try
and let me have few dollars until next
week. Your friends,
"WILL BARTHOLIN."
She delivered 1t to her husband when he
returned home from his work He is en-
ployed by the Austin Manufacturing COM
pany, at Harvey. His wife says that he
read the letter at once and seemed much
worried over it. AS soon as he finished.
he changed his clothing and went out. At
II O'Clock he returned home. He was
highly excited, his wife states, and suf-
fering from neauseau. He was i'll all
night. His wife declared that he told her
he was in great trouble and asked her If
she would stand by him. She told him she
would in any trouble that was not un-
lawful.
NlnTFnn IA EnAAlnE