East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-05-21

Through good work In the sheriff's
office, the mystery surrounding the
fire and death in the box car at Fos-
ter has been solved. William Wilson,
the soldier, has made to the sheriff a
full statement in which he admits
that he allowed two men to ride in
his car and that the burned man was
one of them. However, he denies
having anything to do with the death
OF the unfortunate man, and thinks
the same was accidental.
Was Afraid to Tell.
At the time of Wilson'S arrest and
for several days subsequently, he
steadily insisted that he knew moth.
ing of the dead man nor of the other
who disappeared Just after the fire.
This story he says he told through
fear that II he admitted having allow
ed the men in the car Colonel Taylor
could not recover damages for the
loss Of his property. Also. he says he
was scared by what was said by
Huntley and Croyle. the two men who
met him on the track and gave him
the halter which the unknown man
had given them. They told Wilson II
would go hard with the man who set
the fire, and advised him to throw
away any matches he might have.
Wilson then threw some matches and
cigarette papers In a badger hole,
which fact Huntley and Croyle then
reported to the coroner.
Burned Man an ES-Soldicr.
According to Wilson'S story, the
burned man and his companion
boarded the train at Green River,
Wyoming. The deceased had FORM
erly been a soldier, and Wilson allow
ed the two to ride in his car. though
such was against his orders. Wilson
declares he never learned the names
OF the men, and knows nothing of
them excepting that they were bound
for The Dalles. The burned man had
shipped valise from Green River to
that place, and the two intended get
ting off at The Dalles and taking the
boat to Portland.
On the morning OF the fire Wilson
says all three were in the car, and
the blaze was first seen by the man
who disappeared. There was but one
bucket of water in the car and after
this had been used Wilson climbed to
the top of the car and notified the
conductor of the fire. In the mean
time one OF the tramps evidently
Jumped from the car, and Wilson says
he believed the other had done like
wise until his charred body was found
in the car. Why he did not escape
Wilson does not know unless he was
overcome before he could get out.
There was a partition across the car,
and the two men had been staying
behind the same so as not to be seen
by the trainmen.
Identity May Be Learned.
Since Wilson says the dead man
shipped a valise from Green River to
The Dalles, It is possible the name of
the man may be learned through his
failure to call for the same. Sheriff
Taylor has written the express office
at The Dalles to ascertain II such
valise Is now in the office unclaimed.
Wilson's Story Believed.
Sheriff Taylor and deputies are dis
posed to believe the story told by
Wilson, and say It bears out the the
ory which they have held regarding
the case. From the start they were Of
the opinion that the dead man came
to his end without any foul play. but
as the affair was mystery, Wilson
was arrested and every effort was
made to catch the other man. They
believe that the latter would not have
run away had he not been frightened
by Huntley and Croyle, as was Will
son.
Must Wait for Grand Jury.
After Wilson had told his story to