--------------
ARRESTED--CHARGED WITH KILLING FOUR MEN; A GERMAN, FOR HIS MONEY,
AND TWO SHERIFFS AND A DRIVER, WHO WERE CONVEYING HIM TO PRISON.
The following article is taken from the New York Dispatch (1861), and
serves to illustrate the sagacity of Officer McWatters in "picking out
his man" in a crowd.
A young man named Velge, lately from California, was arrested at the
pier of the Ocean Mail Steamship Company by Officers McWatters and
Hartz, of the Steamboat Squad, and taken to Police Headquarters, where
he has been since detained, till the matter can undergo examination
before a magistrate. The report, as obtained from an officer at the
central office, is substantially as follows:--
About eighteen months since, a German, residing in Sacramento, was
murdered under circumstances of extraordinary brutality. He was mild
and inoffensive, said no extenuation appeared to exist for the
atrocious crime. He had saved some money, which the assassin had taken,
but the amount was hardly sufficient to induce an ordinary bravo to
attempt his life, or otherwise disturb him.
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."
Calling his comrade to his help, McWatters carefully noted each
passenger as he was leaving the steamer. As Velge came up, Mac
recognized and arrested him. He was thunderstruck at the occurrence,
and protested his innocence. The officers conveyed him to the central
office, and laid the case before the superintendent. The prisoner
showed that he was an old resident of this city, though only twenty
years old. Several of his relatives were at headquarters yesterday
pleading his innocence. The clergyman who had caused his arrest made
his statement to the superintendent, who finally decided to retain the
young man in custody till he could be brought before a magistrate.
There was certainly a striking resemblance between the portrait and the
countenance of the prisoner. If the suspicions now entertained should
prove to be well founded, this is another instance of the perpetration
of crime followed by its speedy detection.
------------------------------------------------------------------------