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VOL. XXXIV. NO. 175. PRICE: P" K,*i&« r -". r i:"' ( 65 CENTS POLICE MEASURE THE MAIN OF MYSTERY FEEL SURE OF CATCHING MR. RAFFLES Pursued Man Laughs Merrily in His Sleeve Public's Chances Better Than Professional Detectives Will Disappear from the Angelus Hotel at Midnight Tuesday — At Broad. way Department Store Tuesday Morning BY THE MYSTERIOUS MR. RAFFLES (George Hnrrix Donohiie) Now then, folks, let's get together. In an effort to present this game before the readers of the Los Angeles Herald in a manner precluding the pos sibility of any deception on my part I have accepted a chance in this city never before attempted in the-ex ploitation of this remarkable demon stration. For a period covering nearly three hours yesterday I permitted the police of this city to maul and measure me to their hearts' content In order that there might be on record in Los An geles an absolutely correct description of the man you will shortly be seek ing, and if you are still in love with the marvelous results claimed for the celebrated Bertillon system of crim inal Mi ntlflcation after I am through in thia city my hat will bo off to you. Before going to police headquarters I was advised by the usual bundle of "know-it-all" gentlemen, who invaria bly express great concern over the series of chances taken by me before starting on my mission, not to permit the police of this city to get Bertillon measurements of me, the general con sensus of opinion being that should I do so I would not last two days in this city after the date of my official disappearance. No Fear of Identification Here is a pointer — you might as well take it deep down in your collective memories— l have no more fear of the Bertillon system of criminal identifi cation than I have of falling into the Atlantic ocean at this particular mo ment. This argument or assertion may seem rather coarse coming as It does from me, a newcomer Into your midst, but If you care to follow through the trail of this story a few moments I will convince the most skeptical that in going to police headquarters I was taking absolutely no chance at all, in so far as being apprehended through any measurements taken by the bureau of criminal identification yesterday is concerned. Argument No. 1 on this point is this: The Bertillon system is acknowledged as the best possible means of Identify ing- a criminal— after he has been caught. Argument No. 2 is: I am not caught yet. Should the police of this city pick up a suspicious character and take him to the bureau of identification it could be readily discovered whether or no he had ever been subjected to the Intri cacies of the Bertillon system before. If he had been arrested in Chicago or any other city, for that matter, chances are about a hundred to one his Ber tillon record would be on file at your local bureau. That would be tho end of the suspicious ptent— he would soon be pegging on shoes or performing some other light service for the state in one of your merry calabooses. On the other band, suppose the de tective bureau of Chicago makes a re quest on the police of this city to ap prehend a certain criminal who is known to be somewhere in this city. With this request comes a complete record of the man's measurements and personal description, Including two marvelously well executed photographs of the man wanted— and then the police of your town find they are up against an entirely different proposition. First Catch Your Man Chances are they will capture no less than half a hundred men, particularly if the man wanted happens to be smooth-faced, before they either cap ture the man or give up the search In disgust. lnI In my caso I have simply carried my ldentityI Identity Into your bureau of criminal ldentification,I Identification, given your cleverest de tectives and police officers the best chance In the world to get a line on mc,m me, and then I still make the claim that It will be practically impossible for any member of the detective bu reau or uniformed force to effect my capture. Thin must not be considered, as a personal arraignment of the capabil ities of your local police department. I have worked In and among police departments practically all my life and I am fairly conversant with the routine detail attached to police work through out the country. While working among you it will simply bo up to me to single out the professional from the amateur class of B leuthß who wll 1 take up my trail, and when the chase in all over and some reader of the Los Angeles Herald is counting the one thousand dollars re- Uuuliuuca va r«»o I'Urce.J Los Angeles Herald. BERT R. PARKER <>f the Bureau of Criminal Identification of the l.o» Angelea Detective !>•■- Ulirtnn nt AT the special request of the man agement of the Los Angeles Herald I have given George Har ris Donohue, the mysterious Mr. Raf fles for whom there will be' a reward of $1000 offered in a day or so, the most minute examination ever accorded either a criminal or murderer — accord ing to the most advanced methods of the world renowned Bertillon system of criminal identification. Peculiarly enough I discovered Raf fleß to be absolutely willing to undergo this severe test. It appears to me that a man for whom the entire city will soon be on the chase would under or dinary circumstances make an effort to maintain his identity until he had at least started on his mysterious mission throughout our midst. In presenting himself for "Identifica tion purposes" before the Los Angeles bureau of criminal identification Raf ies is taking a chunce second to no other person who has ever ventured into this city. It seems almost an Im possibility to conceive how this ro markable man can maintain his iden tity among the citizens and pollcu of this city for any extended period. Meets Police Officers Tho fact that he has managed to pro serve an Incognito In such cities as New York, Chicago, Philadelphia. Bo*< ton, Pittsburg und New Orleanß should not be seriously considered by tho real dents of this city, as in Los Angelus this celebrated man of mystery will find himself confronted with local con ditions which in the mind of any trained professional detective should render his effort practically Impossible. In addition to having his measure ments taken, Kafflea also expressed a willingness to meet twenty-five or thirty patrolmen assembled In the squad room, and he there gave all hands an equal chance to thoroughly "look him over" in exactly the Baine manner us would Imppt'ii to any notorious criminal with whom we wanted the men of our police department to be on the most familiar term*. in the identification room Raffles evinced considerable Interest in the pur fectneas of our appliances, and to my surprise seemed more than anxious to assist Photographer Florentine to get the best possible results in taking the two pictures which are always taken of criminals brought before us for ldeml n oat lon. it. made no objection to going the extreme limit In granting us an oppor tunity of securing every, available MONDAY MORNING, MARCH 25, 1907. feature Included in the acknowledged intricacies of the Bertillon system, and now that It is all over I can't for the life of me determine how he will be able to go ahead with his work, par ticularly if the Los Angeles Herald makes public the results of this test. Bertillon System Explained In order that the public in general will understand thoroughly the exact meaning of the Bertillon system of Identification, as is kept in the depart ment of criminal identification at the Los Angeles police headquarters — and over the entire world, for that matter — I will explain in detail the exact re sult of my findings, so that every per son will know this man like a book be fore he starts to— as he hays, "get busy." In the first place Raffles is what we would call "a man of slender build,' his height with shoes on being 5 feet 8% inches. According to the Bertillon measure ments, however, Raffles' height is re corded as 74.4 centimeters, or, In other words, 5 feet 7% inches. It must be taken into consideration, however, that Haffies will not be likely to run around town barefooted, that Is why I am giv ing you the height you can more read ily expect to discover. Kaffies will weigh 133 pounds with or dinary street clothes on. His age is somewhat deceptive, being 37, but looks more like a man of 33 years. On this point it might be possible for Ruffles to "make up" with the aid of costumes either as a young or us an old man. That may bu ono of the secrets of his ■UCOfIU. Raffles' hair Ib what wo would term very dark brown, graying, which niuuns that his hulr is rapidly becom ing gray. His eyes are brown circle, running to olor, Which would bo termed by Hi. or. ilnary observer as a very light brown. Regarding Raffles' face, he has a slightly receding forehead, of medium great height and medium width, all of which would ordinarily Indicate an ele ment of coneentratlve shrewdness. His not* in termed a rectilinear sinuous, »hi<i> the layman would term a humped nose. Th base of the tiose is horizontal; Hi.- root of the nose is nil. meaning that It run* straight from forehead with very 111 tie curvature to bridge. The lungth, projection and width are all medium, with a slight turn to right. Peculiarity of Ear* The borders of the ears are medium and the lobes are round. The left ear extends further from the head than the right, which gives me the Impression that it has beta caused by sleeping on the right side. Teeth are fair, upper front very wide apart, in center, which would give Raffles an excellent opportunity of sllp ing Individual crowns over them or In serting a false one between them, thereby possibly altering his facial ex pression. His chin is what we would class as long and pointed, and should you ever discover him laughing you would find him possessed of a slight dimple In the center of the chin. His complexion Is medium and face is smooth, medium large mouth, with general contour of face slightly oval. His general mannerism, as Is apparent to me, is quick, alert and active, and he should wear a No. 7 shoe and about a 6% glove. Following tho general requirements of the Bertillon system, I made note of marks, scars and moles. There is a dim mole under the outer end of his left eye, another an Inch and a quar ter below previous mole. There is a dim horizontal scar over the left eye brow, a small white scar at bridge of nose; there are numerous other marks of Identification, which the average ob server would fail to notice, ns it is an assured fact Raffles will take care not to appear on the streets of this city minus clothing. Following tho conclusion of measure ment taking at pollcu headquarters, Raffles showed me a copy of a New Orleans paper containing his alleged official police description, which, after carefully looking over, I discovered could be valuably added to. This Bertillon description which w* have taken at police headquarters In this city is absolutely correct, and in my mind should afford every person in terested In hlB capture a far greater advantage than has ever been afforded those who have previously sought the man of mystery In other cities. Cabinet Resigns By Associated Press. BUCHAREBT, March 24.— The Con servative cabinet has resigned and a Liberal ministry has been formed un der the presidency of M. Sturdza, who was premier in a former cabinet. It is hoped the disorders In the country soon will be ended. Hot Wave Broken By Associated Press. WASHINGTON', March 24.— The weather bureau tonight announced that the hot wave has been broken through out the east and the Ohio {alley, though summer-like weather win cuu tlnuo In Uio south and we.it. THAW SAYS THERE'S NO DISSENSION Declares His Lawyers Are Working in Harmony Statement of Prisoner Is Made Public in New York Counsel Prepare for a Final Desperate Struggle to Keep Stanford White's Slayer from the Madhouse By Associated Press. NEW YORK, March 24.— Harry K. Thaw tonight made public another statement, this time denying a rumor which he believes is current to the effect that there Is dissension among his counsel. He also refers to the affidavits filed with Justice Fitzgerald by his attorneys in opposition to the appointment of a lunacy commission to examine him. Russell Peabody, who gave the state ment to the press after he had a con ference with other members of Thaw's cunael, designated it "The third state ment issued by Thaw since August 10 last." It follows: , "I wish to deny the rumor that there i» dissension among my counsel. "Owing to the limited time, affidavits were prepared simultaneously at the office of Mr. Delmas and Messrs. Hart ridge and Peabody. Four that were completed March 22, at the latter office, were transmitted to the former and all were printed together under Mr. Del mas' supervision. "Those made March 23 were brought to me as I was nearest the court. Find Them Satisfactory "I examined the last four from Messrs. Hartrldge and Peabody and one from Mr. Delmas' office and found them eminently satisfactory. "This method was sanctioned by Mr. Delmas. Had I considered that any thing in the last affidavit might be con sidered inappropriate for this occasion it would have been withdrawn for the time and corrected under Mr. Delmas' direction. "My mother sent her exceedingly clear affidavit Friday morning to be copied at the office of Hartridge and Peabody and proceeded there later to affix her signature under oath. "It was written by her at her hotel with no suggestions from any one whomsoever, and is filed exactly as she prepared it." The monotony of Thaw's Sunday at the Tombs was broken by an unex pected visit from his wife. This was the first time since his detention that the prisoner was allowed to receive callers other than his counsel on Sun day. Mrs. Thaw said: Thaw in Good Spirits "Harry Is in excellent health and is sure that everything will come out in his favor." Thaw received a note from Lawyer Daniel O'Reilly explaining that none of the legal staff would call during the day and stating that Mr. Hartridge and the writer were busily engaged In pre paring briefs to be presented to Justice Fitzgerald tomorrow. District Attorney Jerome and his chief assistant on the Thaw case were at their offices today and Mr. Jerome dictated to stenographers a long state ment which took them until late In the day to transcribe. Mr. Jerome said it was a statement to be submitted to Justice Fitzgerald. It was reported that Mr. Jerome in tends to present not only facts refut ing the affidavits presented by the de fense, but to submit to Judge Fitz gerald new and corroborative facts supporting the affidavits on which he originally mflde his suggestion to the court that Thaw's sanity should be Inquired Into. Still Thinks Thaw Crazy When asked if he intended to rebutt the twelve affidavits tiled by tho de fense he said: "My opinion that Thaw is now crazy and should not be on trial for his life has undergone no change since read ing these affidavits, and I certainly ex pect a commission to settle this point definitely." Even If Mr. Jerome anßwers the af fidavits of the defense there will be no further developments until Wednes day morning, when court will recon vene. ELEVEN RACES HORSES DIE IN A BURNING BUILDING By Associated Presß. NKW VtiltK, Muivh 24.— Eleven race war* burned to death in a fire which destroyed three buildings at the Sheeiisheuil Bay truck today. Among tho horned wero Fine Cloth, r.ady Prudence, Sir WillUun Johnson and Btar of th« ocean. Tho borMi were till In the utublo of Wutt. The loss la oatlmated at $80,000, PRICE: SINGLE COPY 5 CPNTS HENEY AND BURNS TO APPEAR BEFORE PORTLAND AUDIENCE By Asuoclated Press. PORTLAND, Marrh 24.— The 4 Oregonlan Bay 160,000 Is being 4 • raised as an Investigation fund 4 ' to bring Francis J. Honey and 4 • Special Agent Burns to Portland 4 > to probe Into local municipal graft. 4 Transaction!! for years back and 4 i up to the pratsnt will be exam- 4 ' lned undrr the searchlight of the 4 > Investigator*. It In understood 4 > that a small cotprle of cltlzpns, 4 1 all of whom am large taxpayers, 4 ' have pledged $!>OOO as a nucleus 4 > for the J60.000. 4 < They bellevo that tho money can 4 > bo raised within a few days and 4 > declare that If more than $50,000 4 > Is necenary to mnkfi a thorough 4 > and swopping investigation it will 4 1 bo ohtalnnhlo. 4 > Just what the nature of the 4 > transaction is which tho invest!- 4 • gatorß will bring to light Is not 4 > specified. •! BRUTAL MURDER RESULT OF A QUARREL By Associated Press. SAN FRANCISCO, March 24.— A brutal murder was discovered at 436 B street, North Oakland, today. The body of Mrs. Martha Soderberg, 61 years of age, was found hidden in a closet of her home. Erland H. Soderberg, her son, a stev edore, has been arrested on suspicion of being the murderer. It Is known that last night he came home intoxicated and quarreled with his mother. When found, Mrs. Soderberg's body, partly clad, was In an upright position and wrapped in a blanket. Her throat was cut, face gashed and one leg al moßt severed. It is thought that the murderer in tended to cut the body up and carry It to the bay, a short distance away, but for some reason postponed carrying out his Intention. WESTERN ROADS FACING BIG STRIKE By Associated Press. CHICAGO, March 24.—Representa tives of railway trainmen and conduc tors employed on western roads will call on the general managers tomorrow and renew their demands for an In crease in wages, according to plans given out by the men tonight. A canvass today of the recent refer endum ballot on the acceptance or re jection of the railway managers' offer of 10 per cent increase to men in the freight service and of about 5 per cent to those In the passenger service showed that nearly 40,000 votes had been cast. Unofficially it was declared that the offer had been rejected and that a de mand for a 12 per cent increase in wages and a nine-hour day would be made. Grand Master Morrlssey of the train men's organization said a definite an nouncement of the result of the vote would not be made until tomorrow aft ernoon or Tuesday. Chairman and sec retaries of the committees from each road, however, admitted the vote was for a strike. TWO MEN BLOWN TO ATOMS BY DYNAMITE By Associated Press. HUNTINGTON, Ore., March 24.— 8. Alonzo and A. Garran, while thawing powder, lost their lives lant night by the explosion of 200 pounds of dynamite at Goldsmith & McDonald camp, seven miles north of this place on tho North west road being constructed by tho Orogon Short Line. All that was found of Alonzo was his heart and teeth. Garran was blown In two, and only a portion of his remain* have been found. Jewish Refugees Flee By Associated Press. SOFIA, March 24. — News received here feom Bistort and Nikopoll, Bul garia, say that many Jewish refugees and largo Christian landed proprietors have arrived there In boats, fleeing from the excesses and persecutions of the Insurgent Roumanian peasants. Kills Wife, Then Himself By Associated Press. SAN FRANCISCO. March 24.— Fred Baumbroth, v ittuumter, living In a turn, shot and killed hIH wife today ami then killed liinißeir. No motive for the ti-agudy is known. Just before the shooting tho couple were walking arm In uau. THOUSANDS THREATENED BY FLOODS Levees Give Way and Islands Are Doomed Victims Call in Vain for Assistance as the Water Rises Country Surrounding Sacramento la Now One Vast Sea — Live Stock Swept from the High est Point* By Associated Press. SACRAMENTO, March 24.— Esporta, , from the down-river islands '.anight were not of rainbow color. The situation was pronounced as most desperate. Two feet of water wps flowing through the streets of Isleton and Courtland reported that it wa* feared the Pierson district would go before morning. While telegraphic communication was cut off with Freeport and Walnut Grove It is thought matters have taken a change for the worse all the way from Freeport to Sherman island. Everywhere the farmers are fighting against the highest water ever known and the prospect is for the complete Inundation of the island country. George N. Peachey, the telephone manager at Courtland, Bummed up the situation tersely: "It all looks bad. "The cross levee above "Walnut Grove has broken and the residents of the land around reclamation district 551 are in a state bordering on panic." G. C. Eastman and T. J. Stephenson came to Courtland tonight with an ur gent call for help. Mr. Stephenson had about 1200 cattle huddled on the levee and there appeared to be no way of saving them, so rapidly was the water filling in the lands between Walnut Grove and Courtland. Case Seems Hopeless One of the hardest fights ever made by the people of Pierson district Is in progress tonight, and after weary hours of battle against great odds the most hopeful acknowledge that the struggle seemed hopeless, and while they by no means give up it Is the general opinion that the district levees will go out before morning. A late report from Randall Island said that the levees were still holding and It is believed that they were fully, under control. From Ryer Island, the levee of which broke at 11 o'clock Saturday morning, repeated cries for help are going up. William Kelly sent word to Courtland that the water was gradually creeping up on him and that if assistance did not come soon he and his family would perish. He asked for boats to remove the family and their household effects and an effort is being made to reach him. The tremendous force of the flood is best exhibited in the way in which it tore the Ryer island levees to pieces. They are strong as any on the river. They have a base of from 100 to 150 feet wide and are thoroughly rlprapped ugainst the Yolo basin, so that they were not undermined or eaten away, but were literally crushed by a mighty wall of water which ran three feet over the top of the embankments and tore them to pieces. Cross Levee Parts Today the cross levee on Jackson slough between Brannan and Andrus islands parted and the floods from Brannan came Into Andrua with a rush. Practically tho whole town of Isleton is under water tonight, varying in depth up to two feet. Between the front levee which is still intact and the hotel the water Is eighteen Inches deep and rising rapidly. The water is lapping along the foun dations of the hotel und It will prob ably bo flooded by morning. Many of the Isleton residents have deserted their homes, taking what household goods they could carry to tho top of the levee. Late tonight the Grand Island levees arc still holding and it is believed that they will weather the flood. Consider able trouble Is being experienced, how ever, at lower Grand Point, where the water is sweeping through the levee. . A coffer darn Is being constructed In side the levee, and this muy save the Island. FIFTY PERSONS DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMEB AT BAN JOSE BY FLOODS By Associated Press. SAN JOSE, March 24. -Fifty persona have I if. n .1 riven from thiur homes un I Cully am.' hundred in liiUiri.siined by 11. mi, 1 01, II bouthern portion of the city dun overtaxed Ooyote creek, which has left ita banks at a point twelve miles south and lnundutud a wide tract of fertile valley land. This mornings the outlyln* «.'ouu«. b of these i. tCumiuucd. w Vaga Il'fcrecJt ._ .