Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-18
AGED CAPITALIST
IS BELIEVED TO
HAVE BEEN SLAIN
DEATH OF OLD MAN CLOTHED
IN MYSTERY
WILLIAM sAULTERs FEARED AN
ATTACK BY ENEMIES
coroner's Office conceals Facts About
Demise of Wealthy Lodger at
e1s 1-2 South Spring
Street

AT YSTERIOUS circumstances con-
N nected with the case of William
4A1 Saulters, "A years old, of 61SA
South Spring street. show every indi-
cation of murder, and detectives are
looking for a man supposed to nave
caused the death of the aged capital
list. -..,u
Despite the efforts of the coroner's
Office and the autopsy surgeon 10
keen the findings of the autopsy Sc
cret, 1t has been learned that Saulters,
who is supposed to have dropped dead
at Center place and Sixth street, did
not die of natural causes, but was
brutally murdered.
SauIters, breathing family was dis
covered lying eighteen feet from the
sixth street entrance of Center place.
He died soon afterward, and the pooy
was removed to the undertaking estab-
lishment Of Bresee Bros. by the order
of the coroner.
Acting under the orders of the coro-
ner, Autopsy Surgeon George W.
Campbell held an autopsy on the BODY
Monday afternoon and found the
man had sustained fourteen fractured
ribs--that is, fourteen ribs had been
torn away from the breast bone and
one of the ribs had punctured the liv-
er and Saulters had suffered contu-
sion over the right eye.
Truth Withheld
Notwithstanding the fact that this
Avidence of violence was discovered,
the coroners office and the autopsy
surgeon positively declared there was
nothing unusual in connection with the
case when they were asked about the
matter Monday afternoon, and 1t was
not until the detectives We're notineo
20 re learned
Saulters is supposed to have been
The possessor of a fortune in stocks,
bonds and cash, which he Is said TO
have kept in a local safety deposit
vault.
He was a veteran OF the civil war
and came from New York city many
years ago. He settled at Tacoma,
Wash. where he acquired considerable
property, which he turned into stocks
and bonds. He had dread of several
persons against whom he engaged sue
cessfully in a lawsuit a number OF
years ago.
For the last nine months saulters
made his home at rooming mouse
conducted by Mrs. Frank M. Smith at
$751; South Spring street. He was a
man of regular habits, although he
drank deeply at numerous times in the
privacy of his room.
Afraid to Go on Streets
According to the statement of Mrs.
Smith, who was we'll acquainted with
the old man, who was affectionately
known to the roomers under the title
of Colonel" he feared to go out on
the streets alone lest the persons whom
he defeated in a law suit years ago
would "get" him.
matter, it Is believed that they are
working on the theory that Saulters
was murdered by one of his old-time
enemies who enticed him into the al
ley and killed him for the possession
of certain papers which UP to this time
are thought to be missing.
Mrs. Smith declares that Saulters re-
tired regularly before 10 o'clock each
night; that he was in constant fear of
his oid-time enemy and that he never
Ventured on the streets unless ne was
accompanied by some one.
''The Colonel who occupied room
near my kitchen, was in his room at
o'clock" said Mrs. Smith. His Win
dow looked out on the rear porch and
as the shade was partly drawn, we
could see into the room.
Talks with Stranger
"He was seated at a table convers-
ing with a stranger. There was a
quart bottle of whisky on the table
ana RidSSeSs he COlOIlpif eS NS o.
fectionately called the old man, was
sitting facing the window, and the
stranger, a man with gray hair and
gray mustache, was sitting so that we
had a side view of him.
Old man Saulters and the stranger
were looking over some papers, and the
colonel seemed greatly excited and his
manner was nervous and frightened.
"Shortly after observing him my hus-
band came home, and we sat on the
porch for a short time. My husband
looked into the window, saw Saulters,
and said: I am looking at you" when
the old man poured water glass full
of whisky and filled another glass for
the stranger.
1.-THE colonel smiled and replied in
Spanish una botella,' meaning, one
bottle. The old man then asked my
husband to have drink, but he re-
fused.
Shortly afterward we went out, but
before leaving I told my husband the
old man was drinking again and we
had better watch him. We left the
house shortly before 3 o'clock, and
when we looked into his room found
he was not there.
Found Dead in Alley
"We returned home about 10 O'Clock
and found that Saulters was not home.
Later, at 1l:1O O'Clock, one or the
roomers wanted to use the telephone
in our room, and when 1 opened the
door I saw the colonel and the stranger
walking down the hall.
1T went back to bed and never
thought any more about the matter
until shortly after midnight / was
awakened by a knock on the door and
Sergeant Smith Informed me that Saul
ters was found dead in the alley
"Saulters had most of his fortune in
stocks, bonds and cash which he kept
in a safety deposit box He always
had money on his person. and never
carried less than S25. More frequently
the amount was $50
"The only explanation I can give Of
matter is that the visitor was an
oil friend who had lost one eye, and !
that Saulters had left the room to put
his friend on car. But as this friend |
had a long beard and the visitor had |
none, 1 do not think ii was the same |
person.
When Saulters was found there was
only $3.50 on his person. He could not |
possibly have spent the difference be- |
cen that and $25. and 7 believe he |
murdered"
Was Lying on Back
Saulters was found lying on his back |
ir the alley. There was considerable |
brick dust on his shoes, and the back |
Of his coat was dirty.
The broken ribs could not possibly |
have been caused by wagon running |
over hiS1 as there were no indications |