The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-09-26
fAKEN BY AN OFFICER
Answer Questions Satisfac-
torially at Station and
Are Freed
NO ONE IS BLAMED
Descriptions of Men Accused
In Seattle Trunk Mys-
terry Arrive Late

OAKLAND, Sept. 25.-Failure
OF the police to receive promptly
q detailed description of the two
men suspected of the murder of
pretty Agnes Covington, whose
body was found in trunk near
Seattle Sunday, has resulted in
the escape from Oakland of the
accused slayers of the girl.
Chief of Police Wilson and his
detectives are confident that
J Frank Covington. the husband of
the girl bride, and Charles Bur-
lson, his friend, were in this city
Tuesday night. The police are
also sure that the two were seen. over
hauled and even taken as far as one
Of the branch detention lockups by
Patrolnan James Fenton as suspects.
though at the time not having been
connected with the trunk mystery OF
Puget sound.
DESCRIPTIONS TOO LATE
Haf an hour after the two men were
allowed their liberty by the police de-
scriptions Of the Seattle fugitives were
st hand. These descriptions were called
70 Fenton's attention in connection
with the regular routine Of police
work He was struck with the points
a they appeared TO ct the two men
he had esverhauled in West Oakland.
While not prepared positively to de-
clare that the men were Covington and
Burlison, the pstrolman said that one
% them was OF the general appearance
OF the missing husband, and the com
panion. Fenton observed, had a defec-
tive eye, exactly as described in the
Seattle police description.
Fenton noticed two. men late Tues
day night acting suspiciously in West
seventh street They appeared to be
ying to avoid being seen. The police
man spoke to the men and invited
them TO 90 to the West Oakland lock-
I'D. where he questioned them closely.
They answered his queries as to their
movements and said that they were
waiting around to catch an outgoing
freight train. Neither man was armed,
nor did the policeman find anything
incriminating after he had carefully
searched each OF the suspects. Salts
heo that there was on reason for fur
TIER OBTAINING the men, Fenton allowed
them to go.
PROBABLY THE SUSPECTS
Then followed soon afterwsrd the
uncovering the descriptions which
gave the possible cIew to the suspected
p strangers identity.
That CoNington and Burlison might
easily have been in Oakland Tuesday is
dey yeloped from the Seattle police in
Quiry concerning the movements of the
men. As soon as the body was found
and Identified the northern police went
on the trail for the husband OF the girl
and the friend. Burlison. whose name
has been linked with the murder. 1t
was learned that neither Covington nor
Burlisou had been seen IN their accus-
toned hsunts for a week before the
murder was discovered. The appear
snce OF the girls body indicates that
she must have been dead not less than
Z week.
REWARDS WILL BE OFFERED
SEATTLE. Wash. Sept. 25.-The
commissioners of king county viii Of
fer a reward Of $500 for the arrest of
the murderer Of Agnes Mcconbe Cow
inxton, the victim Of the foul trunk
murder, perpetrated in this county re-
Gently. Governor Mead viii be asked
TO offer a reward of $1,000 on behalf OF
the state. and there is talk Of cit
izens' fund being raised to aid In the
search for Frank Covington. the hus-
band Of the woman. who. with Charles
Burlison, his chum, is missing.
PORTLAND. Ore Sept. 25.-The
Evening Telegram says that Frank
Covington and Charles Rurlison. want
ed by the authorities in Seattle in con-
nection with the murder of Mrs. Agnes
Mcconbs Covingtons lived in this city
for q time about year ago. They had
rooms in a downtown lodging house.
where their alleged actions with young
girls OF tender years forced the pro-
prietor to demand that they quit the
premises