Knots Untied; Or, Ways and By-ways in the Hidden Life of American DetectivesMcWatters, George S.
General
Knots Untied; Or, Ways and By-ways in the Hidden Life of American Detectives
McWatters, George S.
Detectives
The suspected murderer was known to the police. Extraordinary measures
were adopted to bring him to justice. His likeness was obtained
somehow, and photographs of it were multiplied and distributed all over
California and Oregon.
After some time, intelligence was received at Sacramento that the
suspected murderer was at Carson City. There was a resemblance,
certainly. The sheriff of Sacramento and a deputy repaired thither, and
arrested him. A conveyance was obtained, and the legal formularies
having all been attended to, the officers set out for Sacramento.
The journey was tedious, as may well be expected. The party finally
neared Sacramento. Already the officers began to dream of home and rest
from their fatiguing journey. The driver was in an equally listless
mood. Velge, the prisoner, was not slow to perceive their
half-somnolent condition, and take advantage of the circumstances.
Quietly but adroitly taking hold of the revolver which one of the
officers was carrying in one pocket, he cocked it so as not to arouse
attention, and a moment after sent a bullet through the brain of the
unfortunate sheriff. The other sprang to his feet, just in time to
receive the contents of another barrel in his body. He fell from the
vehicle, while the assassin hastened to despatch the driver. Having
thoroughly completed the work of death he fled.
The excitement produced by this triple murder was terrible. Rewards
were offered, and the State was thoroughly searched for the felon. But
it was of no avail.
Among the passengers on the North Star was a young man of singular
mien, whose appearance attracted comment. One of the passengers had a
portrait of the murderer of the sheriffs, and found it to agree
remarkably with that of the strange passenger. He made no effort to
call attention to the matter, but took the opportunity, as soon as he
came on shore, to place the authorities in possession of the facts. The
first man whom he observed was the busy McWatters, of the Steamboat
Squad, who was making himself ubiquitous and useful in the way of
superintending the landing of baggage, protecting passengers from
runners and pickpockets, and enabling them to come and go as best
suited their convenience.
Approaching the indomitable McWatters, Rev. Mr. Peck addressed him.
_Peck._--"Are you an officer?"
_McWatters._--"Yes, sir; I hold that position, and am proud of it."
_Peck._--"I have an important matter to call your attention to. Please
examine this likeness."
_McWatters._--"I see it. I would know that face in a thousand. I could
pick it out in a crowd."
_Peck._--"He is a passenger on the North Star, and I think is guilty of
murder."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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