The San Francisco call., 1906-11-17

Twenty-four hours after the saloon
tragedy at the corner of Sixth and
Brannsn streets Thursday night, which
cost the life of George O'COnneII, ex-
policeman; stephen Lynch, the wound
ed bystander, who died yesterday morn
ing, and Frank Burke, one of the two
robbers who sought TO hold the place
mp, Captain of Detectives Duke and
his men had evidence on hand to hang
John ByrHe, the second robber, who
was captured in Thomas SuIlfvan's sa-
loon seven hours after the fatal shoot
ing. The miniOns of the law never
worked with more Judgment and skill
than in the present case, and justice
will probably take fits course in this
instance more swiftly than In any of
the other daring crimes committed
since the quake and fire.
While Byrne stoutly maintains his
innocence and attempts to establish
an alibi, the police have circumstantial
evidence so strong that there seems no
possible chance of breaking it. The
man was captured a block and a half
from the scene of thu, murders and at
tempted robbery; the police have the
revolver with which he fired two shots,
and also the blue handkerchief mask he
wore. They also have the testimony
of at least three witnesses. whose
names are being withheld at the pres
ent time. who saw Byrne run and take
refuge in the saloon where he was
caught.
Byrne admits that he was an asso-
that he was in the thrilling holdup of
tempts to establish, as well as the
other statements he has made, have
been disproven, and a strong case has
seemingly been made out against him.
THUG TRACED TO HIS LAIR
After the fusillade of shots had been
exchanged in O'Connelfs saloon, on the
northeast corner of Sixth and Brannan
streets. and ex-Policeman O'Connell
and Lynch and the robber, Burke, had
been mortally wounded. Byrne, accord
ing TO the testimony Of two witnesses
who saw his every move, fed south on
Sixth street. On arriving within about
100 feet of Sullivan's saloon. where ten
hard characters have a rendezvous and
sleeping apartments. Byrne fell over
heap of rubbish This fact gave rise
10 the rumor he had been shot. He
picked himself up quickly and contin-
ued his fight. He turned into a mar
row alleyway between Sullivan's sa-
loon and the building Immediately
north CT il.
On reaching the rear steps of SuIn-
vans saloon the fugitive robber threw
his 45-caliber revolver underneath the
stairway. The blue handkerchief with
white dots worn by the robber was
thrown beneath the bunk where he
81.
exact trail taken by Byrne was fol-
lowed, with the result that the re-
vOlver and mask were found and the
suspect dragged trembling from his
bed
The room in which Byrne was cap
tured was occupied at the time by six
men Immediately adjoining in the
rear is another room, which was occu-
pied by four men. The police describe
the occupants as desperate characters
and on this account viii not give up
the names Of several witnesses for fear
that the gang would seek revenge
by adding TO the murders already done.
TWO MEN ACT SUSPICIoUSLY
One Of the facts in the case which
points strongly 10 the fact that Byrne
was with Burke is that on several oc-
casions at night time both men were
seen peering into the saloon OF Larry
" eACns directly opposite the place
where the murders and attempted hold
up occurred. The actions of the men
in front Of Welchs place were so sus-
picious that the police were notified
and asked to keep a watch on the
place.
There is no question but that the two
men seen in front Of Welchs are the
same who entered O'Connelrs. as three
persons declare they were Burke and
Byrne.
The thug under arrest denies that
he was ever lettering around Welch's
saloon or that he was in O'Connelfs
saloon at the time of the shooting. He
says that he was In Sullivan's saloon
all Of the time.
This statement is fatty contradicted
by Sullivan himself. who says that
Byrne was in his place until about s
o'clock when he left He did not see
him after this. Sullivan is positive as
10 his evidence and when Byrne was
informed of this fact he quailed per-
ceptibly.
WITNESSES IDENTIFY MASKS
John Morrissey. alias Dope" Morris
sew is under arrest on suspicion that