The San Francisco call., 1908-04-29
SEEK FMPLOYE OF
UNITED RAILROADS
Oakland Police Suspect One OF
Calhonn's Men Had Part in
Attack on Gallagher


Fresh evidence of a sensational ma
ture bearing on the dynamiting Of the
home of James L. Gallagher turned the
attention of the Oakland police yes
terday to a conspicuous employe OF the
United Railroads. This man was seen
at the race track with Fred E. VIII
helms, the suspect now under arrest.
OF such Importance did Captain or De-
tectives Petersen of the Oakland depart
ment deem the latest revelations that
he at once detailed Detectives Hodg-
kins. McSorley and Kyle to investigate
the relations of Wilhelms and the
handy man of the trolley company.
Other facts that came to light yes
terday tended to strengthen the case
against Wilhelms. Added to the dis
covery that he purchased 10 pounds OF
dynamite from the vigorit works came
disclosures showing that an effort had
been made by man answering the
description OF ]. w. Macy to regain
the receipt given for the explosive.
This receipt is now locked In the SAFE
at Vigorit. It has also been learned
that Wilhelms was at the Emeryyilie
race track the day after the explosion
at the Gallagher house. His appear
ance Indicated that he had been up all
night and an inquiry into the matter
appears to substantiate this belief.
Wilhelms was well supplied with
money at the track and conversed with
number of persons he met there. A
determined effort will now be made to
trace Wilhelms movements during the
night.
SEEN WITH CALHOUN EMPLOYE
Tracing the thread of evidence
against Wilhelms. the Oakland police
have found that time and time again
he was in the company of the United
Railroads employe who has now be-
come an object of inquiry. Between
February %, when Wilhelms was ar
rested with the half completed bombs
| in his possession, and April %, when
the attempt was made on Gallagher's
| life. Wilhelms and the Calhoun en-
lploye visited the race track together.
They appeared to be on intimate terms.
The Oakland police are working on the
theory that the agent of the trolley
company had full knowledge of the fact
| that Wilhelms had been arrested with
the uncompleted bombs on his person.
While Captain Petersen is unpre-
pared to make any definite announce
ment at this time, 1t is known that
| the Oakland police are working on
the theory that Wilhelms was party
to a conspiracy to establish a defense
before the crime was committed. The
police do not cling to the theory that
Wilhelms touched off the dynamite. but
they hold that he made the bomb.
They are going forward with the in
Ivestigation with the theory that Macy
was in the confidence of the United
Railroads at the time he made over
lures to William j. Burns and that
in these negotiations he was directed
by the same agency which came under
suspicion with yesterdays additional
evidence.
EvADED BURNS TRAP
In support of this contention, it is
pointed out that Wilhelms' affidavit
given to the United Railroads indicates
that he knew a trap had been laid for
him by Burns and that he skiIlfully
evaded 1t by making the bombs HARM.
less. In this way, 1t is argued, guided
by the same agency that was behind
the entire plot, Wilhelms was prepar-
! ing the framework for, "a defense in
case suspicion should be directed to-
ward him. The unusual activity of
the agents of the United Railroads fol-
lowing his arrest, their production OF
the affldavits prepared in advance. and
their general attitude in the investiga-
ton, have served to confirm the Oak
land police in the belief that they are
on the right track.
The police have brought out two sep
arate identifications, both bearing on
the same phase of circumstantial evi-
dence. These are the identifications
| made by Nose Murphy and J. A. Vera,
| one of whom recognized Wilhelms as
| the man who sought to be conducted
| through the dynamite works at Pinole
| and the other who says Wilhelms is the
| man who bought nd paid for 10 pounds
| of the explosive.
INTERFERE WITH POLICE
! Out of these two identifications grew
another instance confirming the police
contention that hirelings of men who
fear the detection of the dynamitards
are interfering with the police work
The receipt at Vigorit was sought by a
supposed agent of the United Railroads,
who applied to N. Nielsen for the
| signed receipt given by Wilhelms to
Vera This man asked for Vera, and
when he learned that Vera had gone
| from the works, tried to induce Nielsen