THE MOUNTAIN MURDERER.

Hastings Standard, Issue 235, 1 February 1897, Page 3

THE MOUNTAIN MURDERER.

CABLES.

A DESPERATE CREW. A CHEST OF LEE WELLER'S FOUND. | AN INTENDED VICTIM GIVES FURTHER EVIDENCE. (Per Press Association.—<Jojiyriyht.) San Francisco, Jan. 30. The ship Burmas, which left Newcastle on November 17th has arrived at San Francisco. The members of the crew states that the Swanhilda's crew are a hard lot. Four had been imprisoned while the vessel was lying at Newcastle, and were only released in time to join her before sailing. One was sent to goal for striking Captain Eraser in the street. The majority of the crew state that mutiny raged during most of the time the Swanhilda was in port, the police having to quell numerous disturbances on the decks between the officers and the men. The Burmas' crew alle-cre that it only needed a leader to make the Swanhilda a floating hell. Syoxey, -Jan 81. The sea chest of Captain Lee Weller (one of Butler's victims), containing a quantity of his late wife's belongings, has been discovered in a secondhand shop in the city. The owner of the shop stated that he purchased it from a man whom he recognised as Butler eight or ten weeks ago. A man who refuses to give his name says that he advertised for a partner to go prospecting, and Butler answered the advertisement, and they left Sydney together on September 15tli. They went to Grafton, where a party of five formed a prospecting expedition. On the second day out Butler on the strength of an alleged discovery of good stone tried to induce him to leave his companions, who, learning of his overtures, compelled Butler to leave the camp. Before he went he again tried to induce him to go on a shooting expedition. Butler boasted that he had just returned from a backrange, where he bad made important discoveries, and had refused £2OOO for a share in the mine. This day. The statements regarding the mutinous conduct of the crew of the Swanhilda have been greatly exaggerated. Several men deserted at Newcastle, but they informed the police that they did so in order that they might ship again under the higher rates ruling in the colonies, one sailor assaulted Captain Fraser in the street in order to get away from the ship, and the plan proved successful. Captain Fraser is spoken of as a good captain, but some men are inclined to regard the first mate as a bully.