Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-16
BODY OF LATE
POLICE CHIEF
FOUND IN BAY
WILLIAM J. BIGGY RECOVERED
FROM WATERY GRAVE
CORPSE is SEEN FLOATING OFF
GOAT ISLAND
Identification Is Made Only by Means
of Clothing, as Face is Disfgured.
Officials Seem Sure of
Identity

O AN FRANCISCO, Dec. 15.-The
IN body of William j. Biggy, late
~ chief of police, who disappeared
from the police launch patrol on the
night of November 30, was recovered
from the waters of the San Francisco
bay.
From the appearance of the body and
the locality in which it was found there
is every reason to believe that it had
remained undisturbed at the bottom of
the bay. not far from the spot where
Chief Biggy is supposed to have been
lost
Although the features were more or
less lacerated and deeomposed, the re-
mains were easily identified by means
the clothing.
Except for the hat, the clothing, even
to overcoat and gloves, was intact, and
| it was evident that Chief Biggy had
made no change in his attire after his
last brief conversation with Engineer
| Murphy, who was operating the patrol
on the night of the disappearance.
The body was sighted first by pas
! sengers on the ferryboat Transit. 1t
was floating midway across the stream
between Goat island and the end of
Mission street.
The fact was at once reported, and
the Patrol, which has been intermit-
tently engaged in the search for the
past fortnight, Immediately started out,
accompanied by fleet of launches.
One of these was hailed by the crew
of the scow schooner George Woods,
who had in the meantime sighted and
recovered the body.
Body Transferred
1t was transferred to the police Off
GERS aboard the launch and towed to
the Mission street dock.
From points all along the water front
an immense crowd quickly assembled.
Scores of policemen were hurried to
the scene, and within a few moments
Acting Chief Cutler, Captains Conroy
| and Kelly, and a number of subordinate
officials were at the dock.
Just before noon the coroner's depu-
ties took charge of the remains, which
were lifted into the morgue wagon,
while the police stood at attention with
barred heads.
The wagon was accompanied to the
coroners Office by an escort of mounted
police and by Acting Chief Cutler in
an automobile.
In the presence of Acting Chief Cut
other officials, a search of the cloth
ing in which the body was attired, was
made Immediately upon arrival at the
norgue.
By means of the two badges which
Chief Biggy wore, locket with his
monogram, a muffler, a stick pin, his
police whistle and other articles, the
Identification was made beyond the
shadow of a doubt.
The watch which Chief Biggy always
carried was stopped at 9:12 o'clock. So
far as could be ascertained, there were
no papers In the pockets to which any
significance could be attached, and 1t
was concluded if Chief Biggy had
written resignation prepared on the
occasion of his visit to Police Commls-
sioner Hugo Keil at the latter's home
in Belvedere. he had disposed of 1t in
some manner before he met his death.
Much to the surprise of the search
erS a hammerlesS revolver, Wrrh all
chambers loaded, was found in
pocket. notwithstanding the fact that
the late chiefs pistol was found after
his death in a restaurant where he mad
dined on the night of his death
There was no mark of violence on
the body, but an autopsy VIII be held
to assist, if possible. in clearing up the
manner of death. The inquest probably
will not be held until next week.
Tells of Conversation
with the finding of the body of Chief
of Police William ]. Biggy in the bay
this morning the full reasons for MS
visit to Commissioner Keil promise to
be revealed to the public. The morn
ing after the chiefs disappearance
from the police launch Keil made an
extensive memorandum of the CONVEX
satton which he had with the head of
the police department on the previous
evening and entrusted 1t to Mayor
Taylor, who refuses to divulge its con-
tents.
Commissioner Keil said today;
''While the publication of the con-
versation 1 had with the dead chief on
the evening of November 30 would do
much honor to his memory it might
nossfblv be the cause of more harm
than good, in that it would lead to re-
criminatory attacks
''Biggy talked with me perhaps more
freely than with anyone else, and in
his conversation that night he was
particularly open and frank. would
give the memorandum which l MADE
ON the following morning If l were
convinced that any good could come
of it. -
this matter out at the time of the
inquest
dead chief of police was removed TO
an undertaking establishment.
The funeral will take place from 81.
Nary's cathedral next Thursday. The
services will be conducted under the
auspices of the knights of Columbus
and almost the entire police depart
ment will attend.
A sergeant Of police and six patrol
men have been detailed by the police
Commissioners to act as guard of
honor and the men win relieve each
other in eight-hour watches beside the
corpse.
The body will not be exposed 70
nihlie view on account of its adj
Yanced stage of decomposition, owing
to its lengthy stay in the water.
3-s-ap-
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