The San Francisco call., 1908-04-28
POLICE DRAW NET
ABOUT WILHELMS
Evidence Against Alleged Dyna-
inter Becomes Stronger as
Investigation Proceeds
Golden Gate Citizen Misses Gas
Pipe on Day Man Leaves
|. His Home

Additional information which fell
into the hands of the Oakland police
Yesterday made stronger the convic-
tion that in F. Z. Wilhelms they have
one of the men responsible for the
dynamiting of the Gallagher home. In
asmuch as the latest developments con-
firmed the theory that Wilhelms was
the tool employed by the wealthy
criminals to whom Gallagher's death
would be a distinct advantage. the in
vestigation is being pushed with great
er vigor than ever and it is expected
that a few days will see one of the
most startling and sensational dis
closures laid bare in San Francisco
since Abe Ruef confessed his guilt.
Wilhelms was identified yesterday by
two men as the one who went to
Pinole TO buy dynamite, 10 pounds OF
which was sold to him by John b.
Vera, a former employe of the powder
company. Vera, in identifying Will
helms, declared he made the sale of
dynamite last January. The second
Identification was by NJ. Murphy,
saloon keeper, formerly of Pinole, who
declared that he was asked by VIII
helms to accompany him through the
powder works at Pinole. 1t is thought
that Wilhelms hoped to be able to steal
the dynamite while going through the
works.
Investigation as to the suspects past
life disclosed that on first coming to
San Francisco he was generally known
among his neighbors as a "spotter'
for the United Railroads. 1t may be a
peculiar coincidence, but the police find
that the deeper they go into the in
vestigation the more numerous seem
to be the mans connections with this
corporation and the strenuous scramble
of Patrick Calhoun's detective corps to
prove their employees innocent of a
crime with which they have never been
charged leads to the belief that the
United Railroads will play an impor-
tant part in the sensations expected to
break within a few days.
WILHELMS VISITS TRACK
The police discovered that a few
days prior to the explosion Wilhelms
was at the Emeryville racetrack in
company with one of the chief lieuten-
ants of Patrick Calhoun. This in the
face of later developments, the mans
past, his apparent familiarity with
bombs and information which they will
not disclose at present, gave them
every reason to hope that they have
sufficient clews to work out the solu-
tion of the mystery.
There is not the least doubt in my
mind as to the correctness OF the
theory that the explosion at the
Schenck home was prompted by an
attempt to kill Gallagher" said Captain
Petersen. IF that be true one must
ascertain why any one should want
him out of the way.
MYSTERIOUS GAS PIPE
Il am not prepared to prove the next
natural step in that line and therefore
for the present reserve statement
The police department of this city
holds Wilhelms under suspicion of
having made the bomb which de-
stroyed the Schenck home. At this
time ! am not ready to make public
what special line of inquiry is being
taken. 1t goes without saying that
vestigated closely. His associates and
his actions Immediately prior to the
explosion are important for US to
know"
j. o. Johnson, 1926 Ninth street,
Golden Gate, with whom Wilhelms
lived until March 20. said he missed
two pieces of gas pipe just after the
suspect had moved to Beulah heights.
They appeared to be the same with
which Wilhelm fashioned the bombs
found on his person when arrested at
the Instigation of Detective Burns
February %. The Oakland police are
making every endeavor to locate the
two men seen in Nineteenth avenue on
the night of the dynamiting of the
Gallagher home.