BUTLER.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXIV, Issue 2140, 2 April 1897, Page 2

BUTLER.

Butler leaves for Australia by Mariposa. Ihe detectives watch him with unceasing vigilance, being afraid of possible attemps at suicide. The Crown Law Department has received from Captain Lees', the chief of San Francisco detectives, % lengthy statement, in reference to Butler's career. As the result of extended enquiries as to his former shipmates who identified him, it was gathered that Butler, as Richard "Ash?, joined H.M.S. Sultan at Portsmouth io January, 1882, and was with the Mediterranean fleet at the bombardment of Alcxan-lria. After returning to Portsmouth, still under the name Ashe, he joined the warship Liffy, which from 1888 to 1886 was stationed on the coast of Chili. He is supposed to have deserted there, as in 1885 Captain Lees discovered that he joined the North-west mounted police in Canadn. In July in the same year, as John McKnight, he joined the United States cavalry stationed at Fort Walla Walls,but deserted in September, 1886 In February, 1887, 8B George Anderson, he enlisted as a private at the Vancouver barracks in the second regiment of eovalry, but in May, 1887, he again deserted. Under the name of Ne-uman, Ashe aud Weller ho traoes his career as a seamen on various ships and hi* wanderings in Arttieica, as already* -known up to the tinje of the arrival ot the Swanhilda. Captsin Lees points out that in his investigations the name of Ashe most frequently occurs, and he beiieves this to be the man's true name. He ascertained Butler ia a West of England .man, and adds that his enlisittient'' in the American Army are verified by letters from hood nnnrtarfl.