Having made all arrangements with regard to the forwarding of my mail, and being anxious to leave the city without further delay, as the daily papers, at this time, were making frequent mention of the official desire to apprehend McKinley and myself, I decided on adopting some little disguise by way of extra precaution, so I proceeded to a barber shop in a remote section of the city, where I was relieved of my moustache, much to the disarrangement of my facial beauty, to say untiling of my personal pride. I then repaired to a haberdasher establishment, where 1 purchased a line of wearing apparel, altogether different from anything which I was accustomed to wear, including a very long, light-colored coat, besides a slouch hat, of the genuine cowboy style. In addition to this, I purchased a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles, which materially changed my appearance. Calling on my friend again, for the purpose of making further arrangements in regard to my mail, as well as concerning plans for my departure from the city, I was much surprised and gratified to observe that neither himself nor his sister recognized me until I spoke.
At my request he purchased a ticket for me to New York City, over the Santa Fe line, via Kansas City and St. Louis, checking my trunk direct to New York. I also instructed him to take the Santa Fe ferry boat from San Francisco to Point Richmond, at which point I would meet him, when he could hand me my transportation and trunk check. At 9 o'clock that evening, I took the ferry boat for Oakland, thence by street car through Berkeley to Point Richmond, arriving there at 11 o'clock, just in time to see my friend and catch the train. It being late, and feeling fatigued after my day's running around. I went direct to my berth and retired for the night. On the morning following, while on my way to the dining car, I was particular to observe every one with whom I came in contact and was pleased to know there were no familiar faces on the train.
Upon arriving in New York City, I registered at the Cadilac Hotel, 43rd and Broadway, under the name of R. S. Barr, Chicago, Ills., remaining there about a fortnight. During this time I did not seclude myself, being on the streets every day. nor did I attempt any further disguise than that adopted immediately before leaving San Francisco. I felt perfectly safe in New York City, as the transient population is very large, and one might easily travel about the city for months at a time without any fear of recognition, even without any disguise.
My first act upon arriving in New York was to write to my wife, dating the letter from Vancouver, B. C, although I did not make any reference to my real address, creating the impression that I was in that city at the time of writing. This letter was inclosed in an envelope addressed to Mrs. S. A. D. Puter. Berkeley, Cal., and it in turn was placed in another envelope, addressed to C. C. Cravet, Box 371, San Francisco, Cal. Upon receiving reply, about nine days later, which came through to J. H. Brownell, care General Delivery, New York City. I felt assured that, for a starter, at least, my mail system was working to perfection. In her letter my wife expressed great surprise relative to my whereabouts, as she was under the impression I had gone to Humboldt County, Cal., and for some time had been expecting me home.
As things were becoming monotonous. I decided to go to Boston, and pass a few days in sightseeing. Arriving there, I registered at the Lexington Hotel, still using the name R. S. Barr, of Chicago. After remaining about ten days, I took quite a liking to the historic old city, so returned to New York for my trunk and mail and then came back to Boston.
In the mail was a letter from my wife, in which she informed me that two officers had called at the house, stating that they had a search warrant for me, and had demanded permission to search the premises. My wife informed me that she protested against any such action on their part, assuring them that I was not at home, and that I had not been in the city for several weeks. However, she had consented to the search being made after they asserted their authority to do so.
My wife's description of the manner in which the two officers went through my house, from garret to basement, was very amusing. With fine clothes and
Page 236
