SAN FRANCISCO ASSAULT CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13048, 13 December 1905, Page 6

SAN FRANCISCO ASSAULT CASE.

ASSAILANT OF < ELLIS : COMMITS ./. SUICIDE. ' ■ i. \'. ". ":■ ''■■■■ FURTHER DETAILS BY MAIL. [from, our own correspondent.] .-...> •■•■""■;•' San Francisco, November 23. The suicide of Milton Franklin Andrews, which occurred in San Francisco on November 6, put an end to the life of a most inhuman monster. Before ending his own life this fiend, assailant of Wililam C. Ellis, of Australia, and murderer of Bessie Bputon and others, killed the beautiful young woman who had become his companion-in crime. This girl was known as Nulda Olivia, but while her body lay in the morgue at San Francisco it was identified as that of Eva Howard, formerly a resident of San Francisco, and daughter of a criminal whose deeds were known to the police of this city, of Australia, and of Honolulu. What connection Andrews had with Howard is not known, but it. is possible he was member of the "Howard gang," known to exist., but never traced.

The police of San Francisco were on the point of arresting Andrews when the suicide occurred. The .guilty couple had for three weeks occupied a room in a lodginghouse at 748, McAllister-street, without the other inmates of the house suspecting the presence of the man. The woman went out regularly, and it was owing.'to her large purchases of peculiar foods taat the couple were first suspected. The detectives then went into the room in the guise of plumbers, and it was learned afterwards that Andrews must have concealed himself in a closet and watched tne men all the time they were in the room. Being satisfied with their investigation, the officers left the house, and returned at eight o'clock in the evening to arrest the couple.

Following the knock of the officers on the door of, the room, two pistol shots rang put in close succession. When the door was opened the man and the woman were both dead. Andrews was known as an expert shot, and his nerve had not failed him at the critical' moment. He had placed the muzzle of the revolver at the - woman's temple, and she had died without a struggle. He , then placed the muzzle of the gun at his own temple and fired again, this time holding a small mirror in one hand.

It was found that the couple had been living in poor circumstances, though the man had 130 dollars in gold, some diamonds and trinkets. Andrews left a long, rambling letter to the editor of the local paper, in which he admitted his identity, and spoke of the murder of Bessie Bouton, denying that he had committed it.

William Ellis identified Andrews as his assailant, and expressed his hatred of the man in his unfamiliar cockney accent. Ellin spoke in friendly fashion of the woman, but denied positively he had been infatuated with her.■ He still bears scars of his terrible' encounter with Andrews, but- is in good health. Andrews' brother arranged to have the remains of Andrews sent to .Connecticut. Andrews' wife, from whom he has been separated some years, and daughter, eight years old, live at Holyoke. Massachusetts. ~ -