The San Francisco call., 1910-10-04
SOUTHERN men :
FOLLOW TRAIL
OF WRECKERS
William j. Burns and Earl ROg-
ers Head Official Slenth
Party
Scent Leads to Giant, Where
Mysterious Purchase Is
Under Inquiry
Continued From Page 4

Rollar described the transaction of
selling the powder and its delivery in
chronological order as follows:
Septepber 16-He received phone
order for the manufacture of 500 pounds
OF 80 per cent gelatine dynamite. He
was cautioned not to deliver the explo-
sive except on an order from the pur-
| chaser signed by the company.
| September 17-Rollar received a writ
ten order for the manufacture of the
explosive. Both communications were
from Bruce McCaul, shipping clerk of
the company in San Francisco.
| September 1s-The explosive was
manufactured.
| September 20-It was packed
| September 21-It was placed in the
warehouse ready for shipment.
| September 2S-Rollar received orders
to the effect that the alunch Peerless
would call for the powder and that the
delivery must be made to no other yes-
! sell
September 23-Three men came in
| the launch, sought out Yard Foreman
George w. Phillips and secured the
powder. This was about 1890 o'clock
/ in the morning, and after being around
the works for nearly an hour the
| launch steamed up in the neighborhood
| of Vallejo. where it was lostSto sight.
BRYSON SIGNS "LEONARD.
Yard Foreman Phillips, who is also
| acting superintendent In the absence
| Of Rollar, was the only man in the
works with the exception of a laborer
who saw the men. When the launch
| reached the pier of the Giant powder
company, about 400 yards from the
main Office of the company on the
! grounds, a man who gave the name of
| A. ]. Bryson to the San Francisco Of
fee of the concern. but who signed
! himself Leonard when the explosive
| was delivered, same up the boat land
ing and started for the office.
! He was met by a laboror, who di-
rected him to Phillips, who was stand
| ing in the yard near the sulphuric acid
! plant. He showed Phillips the order
| for the high explosive and Phillips
| went to the storehouse for 1t.
! Leonard, according to Phillips. was
| very talkative and affable. He seemed
to know considerable about powders
and gave as his reason for purchasing
| the high grade dyna mite that he
near Auburn. Phillips asked him why
| the powder was not shipped on the
railroad which would be cheaper
| and easier method of handling It,
| Leonard replied that dynamite was not
allowed on the train.
Il told him that dynamite in the
| gelatine form was accepted by the
| companies" said Phillips, 'and he ex-
| pressed surprise that this was the
| case"
| ACCUSTOMED TO POWDER
He kept up a conversation with me
| until we got to the launch, where the
| powder was to be put abroad. He han
died the boxes. each containing 90
pounds of the explosive, in manner
| which showed that he was accustomed
| to working with dynamite. l made p
| secure knot for the boxes in hoisting 1t
down and he said that the bowline was
| better adapted for the purpose. We
had quite a long argument about the
! manner of tieing the knot. and when
| the last box was put into place Leon
| ard admitted that the way l tied the
| rope seemed to be the best adapted for
| the purpose.
The boat ttracted by attention at
| once. 1t had the name Peerless on
| it in raised aluminium letters and
| seemed to be newly boarded and
| painted to form a cabin. 1t was a long
boat. about 2s feet long, | think. and
| was pointed at both ends. 1t resembled
| a rebuilt fsherman's boat, such as is
| seen on the bay.
| THE long, built over cabin was what
attracted my attention more than any
I thing else The entire boat, with the
| exception of a small, open spot near
| the stern in which the engine was
placed, was rooted over 1t have never
| seen boat such as that before.