The Washington times., 1905-03-03
Police of San Francisco
Searching for Murderer

SAN FRANCISCO, March 3.-The po-
lice of this city firmly believe that Mrs
Stanford was murdered. and will bend
every effort TO find the person guilty of
the crime.
Acting Chief of Police John SpiIlane
has started a search in San Francisco
for the poisoner. The receipt of a cable
message from the sheriff of Honolulu
that the supposed medicine taken by the
lamented woman was charged with
strychnine irnpeIIea the acting chief to
detail a force of detectives on the case.
1t Is the belief of the San Francisco
police that the bicarbonate of soda and
the strychnine We're purchased in this
city and secretly dropped into the sup
posedIy refilled bottle by person con-
nected with the Stanford household.
Reasons for the Crime.
There are at this time just three ap-
parent reasons for the crime. It is as
sumed that the supposed murder was
committed either for financial gain or
for revenge or was the work or tanaIlc
or cunning degenerate.
The difficulty in following out the
financial theory lies in the fact that the
will of Mrs Stanford is kept in great
secrecy. Its provisions are known only
to her brother, C. G. Lathrop; her at
torney, Mountford Wilson, and the wit
nesses, one of whom is believed to be
Lathrop. The viii may not be made
public until after the funeral.
Under the law, however, the custodian
of the will must file it within thirty
DAYS from the time that death Is off,
eiaIIy declared to have taken place.
As in the case of the attempted poison
ing of January, II appears that every
Stanford's apartments and was in a
position TO introduce poison was direct
" interested in her welfare Each
seemingly had more to lose than to gain
by her death.
Suspicion has fallen mainly upon Miss
Bertha Berner, Mrs Stanford's secre-
tary; Miss Elizabeth Richmond, her re-
cent maid, and Albert Beverley, her re-
cent butler Miss Berner was con-
stantly in Mrs. Stanford's employ for
devoted TO her employer as the latter
was fond Of her.
Hint of Known Assassin.
There are reasons for believing that
Miss Berner herself has a good idea of
who committed or might have commit
ted the crime.
| The police are tracing the relations
between Albert Beverley. the butler, who
was discharged several months ago, and
| Elizabeth Richmond, formerly Mrs.
| Stanford's maid.
| BeVerly's discharge is said to have
been at his own request. He went TO
| live with his wife at his home near San
Mateo. Later, eleven days after the at
| tempt of January Il on Mrs. Stanford s
life, Miss Richmond applied for her dis
charge and obtained 1t on the score OF
| Ill health. She has since been living
| with the Beveriya.
All OF the Chinese servants employed
| IN the Stanford house were apparently
/ thoroughly satisfied and happy. Mrs
| Stanford was kind TO them and they
were loyal to her. With all of her rela-
tfyes Mrs Stanford was on the best OF
/ terms. although, naturally, having some
preferences. None Of them. far as
| known, is in financial straits, and they
are all IN great grief over the tragedy.
| acy or il being the work Of fanatic
| MRS Stanford. like all other persons OF
| wealth. was the object of attentions OF
| '.crauks'' of various kinds. Not many
| years ago q disheyeled looking indtvid'
ual entered the Office OF the Stanford
estate, in this city, announced himself
! as the real son of the late Senator Stan
! ford. and demanded that a large sum o.
| money be deposited In handbag hs
| was carrying. He was arrested ane
| proved to be harmless iunatic. Upo!
| his return to this city from Palo Ait'
this morning c, G. Lathrop went n
| in the Mills building, and remained ther'
! for a long time in close conference will
| Mr.. Wilson and .. ., Mills. 1t IL be
lieved that the viii Of tho dead wonaa'
wae under discussion, az weil as tA'
G.sroe.tiQn OF the body.