The San Francisco call., 1907-03-25


wrapped a blanket which had been
taken from a bed in the room occupied
by Mrs. Soderberg. and as no blood was
found on the floor OF the closet il was
evident that the murder had been COM
mitted in some other room and the re-
mains concealed afterwaro. Horrifed
by their CHASTITY discovery, Valentine
and Mrs. Christianson rushed from the
house OF death and gave the alarm.
son ABSENT FROM HOUSE
Suspicion was at once directed TO the
son Of Mrs. SOderberg, who. when the
crime was discovered, was absent from
the house and il was at first feared
that he had taken fight II was known
that he was employed on the wharf at
the foot OF Steuart street in San Fran
cisco. William johnson, a neighbor OF
the Soderbergs. volunteered to go 20
san Francisco and inform the son OF
his mothers death II he could be found.
AS soon as the police received the
news OF the murder Detectives Hodg-
kins and Flynn were sent to the house
and began a search for evidence which
might lead TO the Identification and
capture Of the murderer. They discov-
cred that large spot on the Hnoleum
covering the floor Of the kitchen had
been recently washed up, and close ex-
amination> revealed traces OF blood
around the edges Of this spot Further
search resulted in the discovery Of
towel stained with blood, which had
been washed in an attempt to remove
the stains. On examining the body Of
the murdered woman IL was found that
nearly ali OF the blood which had
flowed from the wounds had been
washed of and that the body had
then been wrapped in the blankets IN
which II was found.
A
After being examined by the detec-
lives. the remains were placed in
charge Of the Coroner and removed TO
the morgue. Here an examination of
the body was made by Drs. Mehrmann
Reinle and Curdts. who declared that
the murder had been committed be-
tween O'Clock in the evening and
midnight last night.
shortly after the removal OF the
body from the house and while the de-
tectives were still searching for further
evidence against the murderer. Soder-
berg was found at work by Johnson.
who Informed him of the discovery OF
his mothers body, and both men then
returned to the house. Soderberg, as
he entered the back door Of the house
WAS confronted by Detective Flynn,
who with drawn revolver, ordered him
80 throw up his hands and surrender
.s though greatly surprised, the
Young man offered no resistance. but
quietly submitted to being handcuned.
AS the irons were snapped on his
wrists he asked the officers whether
or not il was true that his mother was
dead. and on being informed that she
was sank into a chair and buried his i
face in his hands.
STORY OF ACCUSED MAN
In answer 10 the questions of the
oil "a n =
lowing story OF his movements last
night and this morning:
Il went TO work usual yestefday
morning and did not return home until
after 10 o'clock last hight think
about 1880. When came in the house
was dark, and thinking that my mother
had gone to bed, I went straight TO my
own room and went to bed. This morn
ing j oversight. not waking up until
half past s o'clock, and ] was late.
] did not wait to speak to my mother. /
thinking that she was still asleep. but
dressed as quickly I could and with
out waiting for breakfast caught
train for the city"
The detectives found several dis
crepancies in the story told by the sus-
pected murderer the most important
Of which was his statement that he
had not come home last night until
after 10 O'Clock. Mrs. Christianson in /
fOrfncn the OfIlCe1S ID6L SnOfllN amer ,
o'clock last night she had seen and
spoken with Soderberg, who came out 1
Of the passageway at the side Of the 4
house, and asked her IL she had seen 4
his mother Another apparent false /
hood Of the suspect is the statement
that he did not wait for breakfast, for /
on the kitchen table was found a loaf l
% bread so fresh that il had undoubt- !
edly been cut this morning.
DISCOVER BLOOD on PRISONER
BY far the most important evidence /
secured by the police however, was
discovered on stripping the prisoner az 4
the City Prison. On sweater and on
the undershfrt worn by Soderbere were 4
found a number OF supposed blood l
stains, for the presence OF which he
was unable TO account. Spots OF what |
is believed to be clotted blood were
also found under the finger nails OF the /
accused.
chief OF Police Wilson said that an
apparent motive for the crime had been /
established the officers having learned 1
that on several occasions within the
last week Soderberg and his mother !
mad been heard by the neighbors en-
gagged in disputes and ousrrels. The .
neighbors also say that Mrs. Soderberg I
charged her son with neglecting 10
provide for her.
Mrs Soderberg came rom Sweden
three wears ago. She lived with her
son in Harrison street. san Francisco.