The Washington herald., 1909-06-24

A letter addressed to william Leon. ac-
cused Of the murder Of Elsie SigeI, was
yesterday received at the National Hotel
The letter IS now in the hands OF the
police and its contents have been read
The police refuse TO discuss the communi-
cation. although Inspector Robert Board
man, chief of detectives. intimated that
he thought the missive was sent by a
crank or practical joker.
The letter is written in a cramped hand
on paper bearing the name Of Young's
Hotel Boston. It IS addressed to Mr..
William Leon. the National Hotel. Wash
hgton. d. c. A peculiar Chinese char
aeter or symbol is in the lower right
hand corner Of the envelope. The police
will try 10 have this interpreted.
The letter was mailed al 3 O'Clock the
afternoon Of Tuesday last and was re-
ceived at the hotel yesterday morning at
9 o'clock. On the back of the letter is
written in lead pencil. Opened by mis-
take"
Text of Letter.
The letter reads as follows:
Tuesday.
Dear Lins (or darling):
Met mr restaurant Alice Sixth avenue near
Eighth street New York. saturday night O'Clock
Good time. Portland beat leave sunday Portland
FL SEA lor FU SAND.
Written with j stub pen. with ink
smeared across the page. the writing is
unintelligible in several places. Whether
the misslve was really intended for the
Chinaman or IS the work OF a crank the
police are unable TO say. An investigation
is being made and the New York police
have been notified OF the receipt OF the
letter.
A Mid sensation was created by the
appearance Of the letter among morn
ing mail at the National 4 group Of
hotel employees gathered and viewed the
lnissive as though il were a rare curios-
ity. The wide publicity given the muir
der OF Elsie Sigei has made known the
details Of the grewSOme crime 10 nearly
every person IN the country.
Police headquarters was notified Of the
receipt OF the letter a few minutes after
Manager Schutt learned Of il. and detect
ives were sent 10 the hotel The missive
was turned over TO the police and carried
20 headquarters. where IL was examined
by Inspector Boardman. Il was neces-
sary TO use a magnifylng glass 10 read
the writing, and even then the inspector
was unable 70 read Il accurately. Wheth-
er the salutation is Dear Ling or Oar
ling the police were unable 20 learn
The Boston police were notified. and It
is understood detectives viii be detailed
10 investigate and try 20 learn the iden-
uty Of the writer. No word was received
in Washington last night as TO whether
the writer was found at Youngs Hotel or
whether Chinaman has been stopping
there recently.
The police are unable 20 explain two
finger prints made in INK in the upper
right-hand corner Of the letter The
prints look as though the writer smeared
his thumb with ink and deliberately made
two impressions on the paper. The prints
are so distinct the police say that If the
writer is apprehended he can be Identified
by them.
May Be Sent 10 New York.
It is probable the letter viii be sent 10
New York to-day. or photographs made
Of the missive and sent instead.
The police got busy yesterday after
noon after receiving information that
Leung Lin might be in this city dis
all parts Of Chinatown and made
search.
1t is now believed that after the China
man sent the don't worry" telegram
from here he left for the West or the
South. II he left on the night Of June
8. the date Of the telegram, as the police
believe he did. he had nine full days 10
get 70 the Pacific Coast before the crime
was discovered, and take a steamer for
the Orient
Detective Sergeant Van Wagner Of
New York. who has been in this city for
the last few days, accompanied by Ed
ward Breitenstein, an Interpreter. went
10 Baltimore yesterday morning follow
ing the receipt Of the tip from New York
police that Leung Lin might be dis
gu.sed as a woman. There are con
siderably more Chinese women in Balti-
more than in this city According 10 a
policeman in the Chinese district here.
there are not q dozen Chinese women in
this city outside OF the Chinese legation.
Mr. WI, the Chinese Minister, in ad-
ditiOn to sending out instructions TO
Chinese consuls and requests to Chinese
in general TO assist in the apprehension
OF the murderer, had also sent out
Cinnamon throughout the country calling
their attention 10 the seriousness Of the
ofense Of Leung and that II behooved all
good Cinnamon TO do everything possible
in their power to aid in bringing him to
justice.
Stranger Near Alexandria.
According TO a second report received
by the police. a man closely resembling
William Leon was seen Saturday last at
Annandale, Fairfax County, about eight
miles below Alexandria.
The man resembling Leon called az the
Of a farmer and asked for some
thing 70 eat. He was told to wait until
the food had been prepared. In the mean
time the stranger became impatient and
appeared nervous, and asked where he
could catch a Chesapeake and Ohio train
FOR the West. According to those who saw
the man. he appeared nervous.
il is the opinion Of the police the man
was evidently the much-sought-for China
man, and that he al once left for the
West The police of Alexandria have been
furnished with a bare description OF the
man, which in a measure talIies with that
OF Leon.
Taft Approves Dismissal.