THE MURDERER BUTLER.

Hastings Standard, Issue 285, 31 March 1897, Page 3

THE MURDERER BUTLER.

THE MAN'S CAREER

(Per Press Association.—Cupyriyht.)

Sydney, March 20.

The Crown Law Department have received from Captain Lees, chief of the San Francisco detectives, a lengthy statement in reference to Butler's career, the result of extended inquiries from former shirmates who identified him.

It was gathered that Butler, as Richard Ashe, joined H.M.S. Sultan at Portsmouth in January, 1882, and that he was with the Mediterranean fleet at the bombardment of Alexandria. After returning to Portsmouth, still under the name of Ashe, he joined the warship Liffey, which from 1883 to 1886 was stationed on the coast of Chili. He is supposed to have deserted there, as Captain Lees discovered that in 1885 Butler joined the North-west Mounted Police of Canada. In July of the same year, as John M'Knight, he joined the United States Cavalry, and was stationed at Port Walla Walla, but deserted on Sept. 8. In September, 1887. as George Anderson, he enlisted as a private at the Vancouver barracks in the Second Regiment of Cavalry, but in May, 1887, he again deserted. Under the names of Newman, Ashe, and Weller. traces have been found of his career as a seaman on various ships, and of his wanderings in America. Captain Lees points out that in his investigations the name Ashe most frequently occurs. It is believed that this is his true name, as it has been ascertained that Butler is a West of England man, and his enlistment in the American army has been verified by letters from headquarters.