Evening star., 1909-06-23
VAN WAGNER DEPARTS
New York Detective to Seek
Leon's Trail in Baltimore.
CONCLUSIONS HE REACHES
Believes Fugitive Was Here June 8
and Left Same Night.
ON WAY TO SAN FRANCISCO
Inspector Boardman Discredits All
Reports Not Connected With the
National Hotel Incident.
ON WAY TO SAN FRANCISCO

Detective Sergeant Ernest Van Wagner,
by direction of Capt. Carey, in charge OF
the New York police department homicide
squad, has proceeded to Baltimore to take
up the investigation in that city.
Detective Van Wagner has thoroughly
canvassed the Washington situation. He
has reached the conclusion that Leon left
here the night of June and probably
started in the direction of San Francisco,
going by way of New Orleans. Leon lived
in San Francisco some time ago and is
probably well acquainted with conditions
there, as we'll as knowing most of the
residents of Chinatown in that city.
The detective left for Baltimore shortly
after o'clock. He took with him this
morning Photographic copies Of the Two
kilograms and made arrangements to
York when the investigation of the case
is begun by the grand jury there.
Evidence Sifted Out.
Inspector Boardman places no credence
in several reports as to Leon having been
in the company of girls while in Wash
ington. The man who served six months
in Jail under the name of George Lee.
he is positive. was not the Chinaman
WdHIeQ IOT the muTO6T O1 Elsie olSel.
''The only thing definite, SO far as the
investigation in this city is concerned,
said the inspector. ''is the National Hotel
incident. A great many persons have
claimed they saw Leon here. 1t is an
easy matter to be mistaken in the identi-
tication of Chinaman.'
There are two Cinnamon in this city
who resemble Leon. Both wear .Ameri
can clothes and present coed apr earances
The police think they have been mistaken
for Leon.
A message for Detective Van Wagner
from Capt. Carey of New York was re-
ceived at police headquarters here shortly
after l O'Clock this morning. A second
later.
Detective Van Wagner waited until
after O'Clock before going to Baltimore,
however He wanted to talk with Detec-
tive Hewlett, with whom he had worked
yesterday.
Detective Van Wagner told a reporter
for The Star that he had learned nothing
new in the murder mystery.
L had a conversation with Capt. Carey
over the long-distance telephone this
morning." the detective stated, land
learned that nothing definite had been as
certained concerning the whereabouts of
Leon.
Sure Leon Was Here.
Detective Van Wagner is perfectly sat-
isfied that the individual who sent the
kilograms and wrote the letter while in
the telegraph office at the National Hotel
is the slayer of Elsie Sigel.
1t has been suggested that Leon had
sent some Chinaman there ito imper-
senate him for the purpose of throwing
the police off his trail The New York
detective. however, believes the man was
Leon.
Leon did not tarry long. the detective is
sure. after sending the messages. Pos
ciH rI,1 tote Ia
town." the detective conjectures. He
thinks he must have left this city. how
ever. shortly afterward.
No credence is placed in the many
statements of persons who claim to have
seen Leon about the city several days
afte: he was at the hotel. Had he re-
mained here. Detective Van Wagner ar
CUES. he would undoubtedly have called
at the National Hotel for the letter,
which must have been of considerable
Importance to him.
Leon wrote his letter to his Chinese
friend about $50 o'clock the night of
June 8, the time he had the two tele-
grams sent. The response was received
two days later. about as soon as the
mail could possibly have brought it, and
was addressed to William Lone.
AS the crime had not been discovered
then there had been no publication or
anything else. SO far as the detective
knows, to make Leon uneasy and to
less he received message over the wire
from some of his friends in New York.
Icons Stay Here Brief.
His failure to call for the letter, there
fore. is taken to indicate that he did not
remain here more than one night at the
most. No person called at the hotel office
and asked for the letter
The fact that the letter was addressed
in care of G. F. Schutt manager of the
National Hotel. has been taken to indi-
cate that Leon was familiar with the
believe Leon obtained the name from
hotel stationery.
The two kilograms were written on the
regular blanks supplied for that purpose.
The police believe the letter to the New
York friend of Leon was written on the
hotel letter heads.
Yesterday Detective Hewlett accompa-
MED the New York detective through
Chinatown" and other places. They in
terviewed persons who might possibly
throw some light upon the case
The visit to the National Hotel by the
fugitive on the night of June 8. only
several hours after the murder was COM
mtted. was thoroughly inquired into
Detective Van Wagner went over the
hotel incidents. was told of the nervous
ness of the Chinaman while in the tele
graph office and of the writing of the
letter to his New York friend.
The New York detective displayed inter-
est in what happened in the telegraph
office. He spent considerable time also
interviewing residents of the Chinese Sec
ton.
Cinnamon Still Reticent.
1t was thought that the advice given
Chinatown residents by Minister WI
would result in loosening their tongues
Without exception. however, the China
men who were spoken to denied that Leon
had been among them. They also de-
clared he was not even known in the
Washington Chinese quarter
There are plenty Cinnamon in New
York who are not known here one of
the more prominent Cinnamon said.
Leon is one of them.
Detective Van Wagner said he found
Washington chinatown in a much bet
ter sanitary condition than the Chinese
section in New York. although there are
nothing like as many Chinese here
San Francisco's China town." said
detective. would naturally appeal to
the slayer of Elsie as Offering a better
place 10 hide than would any other place
in the United States. 1t seems more
than likely that Leon has gone there.
He probably thinks he can be kept un-