Glenbrook Mystery.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3422, 14 December 1896, Page 2

Glenbrook Mystery.

« SOME PERSONAL REMINISCENCES OF BUTLER. (per press association.) SYDNEY, December 12. Some interesting particulars with regard to Butler are supplied by one of his old mates, now resident in Newcastle. In 1898 they were on the ship Olive Branch (Captain Petrie). Butler was then known as Ashe. He joined at Bio, and made the voyage to Newcastle. Butler proved himself a first-class sailor, but of a very quarrelsome disposition, and made it very unpleasant for the officers, who regarded him as a very dangerous character, and to save trouble" allowed him to have pretty well his own way. Upon reaching Newcastle, he was sentenced to a month for threatening the captain. He afterwards disappeared, and they never met again till a few days before Butler left in the Swanhilda. In the course of conversation, Butler informed his old shipmate that he had never been to sea since he had left the Olive Branch. He stated that he had just returned from Westralia, where he had been prospecting and trafficking in mining properties, and up to all sorts of games. He added that he had plenty of money for both, and if he had had a daring fellow with him in Westralia they could have come back loaded. When asked how he came to have so much money, Butler produced two cartridges from his pocket, and he said— " This is how I get my living ! " He significantly added that, if they had any stuff on them, it was only a matter of pinking them. He was very free with the money, and would not allow his mate to pay for anything. The Olive Branch is at present lying in Newcastle, and Butler mentioned he had met Captain Petrie, and said — " Funny I should run across old Petrie again I just wanted to let him see I was alive. If I fall across him in 'Frisco I will blow his brains out 1 " Petrie was informed of Butler'g presence, and he warned the captain of the Swanhilda to have nothing to with him, as he was dangerous. Butler volunteered the information that he was going to San Francisco to settle some business, and intended to return to the colonies. The Melbourne police have obtained convincing proof that the Benalla suspect is not Butler. SYDNEY, December 13. The police are prosecuting a search for Percy William Marchant, who accompanied Butler into the Parkes district and a man named Lesale, who was traced with Butler to Mount Walker in Bathurst district.j A sensational rumor was circulated yesterday to the effect that the barque Swandilda had put into Auckland and Butler had been arrested. The police, however, soon undeceived the public on the point.