The Wife Asked Three Times: 'Henry, Where Were You Monday Night?'

It is highly probable that before the trial of Henry Craemer has been finished, circumstances will be developed connecting him with another murder equal in atrocity to that of Mrs. Philippine Miller and her baby. Already the threads of evidence are weaving themselves into a net around the accused man, and indications show him almost entangled in a web from which he will struggle in vain to extricate himself.

The veil of mystery thrown over the death of Tommy Anderson on January 18 last, in his home at the head of the bay, only a few blocks from Craemer's house, has never been drawn aside, and so obscure were the causes of that violent death that the coroner has not yet determined it to have been a murder. The remains of Anderson were found in the smoking ruins that once had been his home, his body and arms burned almost to a crisp, his features unrecognizable and his skull crushed. A pillow had been tied about his head and the corpse placed in the center of the room. Mrs. Miller's body was also found similarly situated, and the evident design in each case was to place the victim where the bulk of the roof would fall and throw out the greatest heat for the longest time.

Another circumstance that may become conclusive has been brought to light. On Tuesday at the brewery in South Seattle, Chief Rogers secured from A. D. Smith a cheap silver watch purchased from Craemer. A bill of sale scratched with a pin into the inside face of the case shows that the watch was conveyed by H. Craemer to A. D. Smith on April 28, 1894. Half a dozen acquaintances of Anderson have been asked to identify the watch, but no one has yet been found who can positively do so, though most of those who have examined it think it was Anderson's. Craemer attempts to explain how the watch came into his possession by a statement that he took it in Los Angeles from a man who owed a bill at Craemer's saloon.

Yesterday Mrs. Craemer visited her husband in the county jail. She did not appear even then to realize the danger he was in. They conversed in German, and three times she asked the question: "Henry, where were you Monday night?" Each time Craemer dropped his eyes and answered abruptly, "Tacoma." Before the interview ended she said: "Whoever committed those murders, I hope he will hang for it."

The uneasy mutterings of revenge and lynching that found active expression Thursday have almost ceased. The night before last, after the funeral, men walked the streets around the city jail till after midnight, but their presence abroad at those hours seemed due to a rumor that an attack would be made upon the jail. They did not intend to participate, but waited to see the mob, if one was to be formed. Inquiry has established the fact that no effort was made to organize a body of lynchers. Few threats were made yesterday, and a disposition was manifest to let the law take its course.

As had been anticipated, Craemer yesterday afternoon waived examination and was committed without bonds. The proceedings were very brief. Attorney Fred H. Peterson, who had been selected by Craemer to represent him, said he saw but one defense for the accused: he must prove an alibi. Unless he could show that he was not in South Seattle last Monday evening at the hour the murder was committed, it would be practically impossible to controvert the circumstantial evidence against him. Prosecuting Attorney Miller will proceed with expedition in the case, in order that the trial may take place in September, just as soon as the machinery of the law will permit.