The San Francisco call., 1908-12-11
Police Require Detailed State
ment of Movements Prior
in Death of BOas
POstOffice Clerks Reveal Time
of Dispatch and Delivery
of Poison Letter
PecuIatiOns From Pennant EIec-
trio Company Increase TrOub-
les for Man in Prison

les for Man in Prison
John Walter Wilson viii have TO ac-
count TO the police for every move he
made on Wednesday. December ,, the
day upon which Henry J. Boas. his en-
pIoyer. received through the special de-
livery mail service a letter containing
strychnine powders which caused his
death. From the postofice authorities
The police learned yesterday that the
special delivery letter was dropped in
the main pOstOfice. Mission and Seventh
streets. at o'clock; was handled by
George ". wyhs. a clerk who recog-
nized Boas name on the envelope, and
was sent out by a special carrier, who
left the Office at $40. Fifteen minutes
later the letter was left with the ele-
vstor boy in the williams building
Third and Mission streets. where Boas
had his office.
From Richard Geraghty. the elevator
boy ia the Williams building, the police
expect % learn the time at which VIII
son left the Office of the Pennant cleo
trio company. Boas' concern, where he
was employed. Wilson viii have to
show by witnesses every step he made
between that hour and 3 O'Clock to es-
taDlish an alibi to prove that he did not
mail the poison letter.
CASE CONSIDERED PERFECT
Detectives Gallagher and O'Nem con-
tinued working on the case yesterday.
Miss Helen Lawrence. the pretty clerk
in postofice substation No. ,. located in
The Pen drug company's store, I22 Mis-
sion street. was but the first Of a num-
Der Of postal Office officials who are to
be confronted with Wilson in the hope
which the police have that some one
may be found who can testify absolute
~ that a special delivery stamp was
sold 10 Wilson on December >
Under the sweating system Of the
police Wilson has maintained a stolfd
demeanor- After the tangle in which
ne found himself after his interview
with neWspapermen he decided not TO
trust his tongue lest it stretch so long
that it would strangle him. All efforts
10 make him account for his wander
ings on December have been unavafi-
ing. But the police department does
not rely on a possible confession TO
ke strong case against the man
who has been held six days in detinue.
we have enough evidence at tbe
present time TO go to trial" declared
captain Of Detectives James Kelly yes
terdsy afternoon. we have perfected
our case and viii be IN a position to
present damaging facts before the
coroner's jury on Tuesday,
WILSON NEAR BREAKDOWN
Detective Gallagher thought for 3
few moments yesterday thar lie had
Wilson on the verge Of a breakdown
and confession. Whimpering ana with
tears in his eyes the imprisoned sus-
pect asked Gallagher 10 get him out
Of any trouble when he gets out of
prison. II was presumed that Wilson
was referring 10 the debts he had con-
lracted under various names.
wilson admitted TO Detective Gal
lagher yesterday morning that lie had
obtained money ana clothing from diff
ferent people under the name Of VIII
Liam Meyers and that 20 some OF them
he had been introduced by 8oas 5
Meyers
One OF them to whom Wilson was in
troduced by Boas as Meyers was J. J.
simon OF the Columbia clothing com
dered suit of clothes which was de-
livered TO him. and that was the last
Simons saw OF him till he confronted
him In the city prison yesterday morn
ing The suit was ordered about two
weeks ago and is not yet paid for.
The peculations from the Pennant
electric company that have been dis
covered by John Boas. the deceased
electricians brother will get Wilson
his bills for clothing and other articles
which be purchased under assumed
names.
SEARCH FOR POISON SALE
Captain Kelly started yesterday
morning a thorough search OF ali drug
stores in the city to discover where the
strychnine taken by Boas was pur-
chased. Every police watch was in
structed 10 visit the stores in its dis
tricts and TO report on every sale of
strychnine made during the months
preceding December =
II is the theory Of the police that If
Wilson did XIII Boas ne purchased the
poison day or two before the powders
were sent Arthur Simpson. who was
10 have entered into partnership with
l3oas, had declared that he would not
have Wilson about the place. and IT
ls presumed that Boas discharged viii !
l.
1eged dishonesty
@. a. Wilbur, a dealer in electrical
supplies Of 6l Second street. who saw
Wilson at the office the day after Boas' |
death, said yesterday that he knew |
little about the man, but thought that |
ii would be fairer TO Wilson il he were /
allowed to communicate with his peo
pie ia Philadelphia
WILL TAKE DISPOSITIONS
Chief Of Police Ed Haley OF San lose
was in the city yesterday conferrine
with Captain Kelly on the case.
On Sunday next Coroner Leland. (
chief Deputy Coroner John Kennedy /
and the Official stenographer TO The I
coroner. Joseph Vaughn, will go 10
san Jose to take the dispositions Of I
Boas close friend, Miss Anna Kelliher:
her sister, Miss l. Kelliher: Mrs
Naffer with whom Boas lived. ana +
lis former employer in the electrical I
business in that city. The coroner's
officials are undecided as TO whether
they viii subpoena these witnesses TO /
appear at the inquest in this city Tues I