New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-08-02
STEALING NEWS.
HOW THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Is ROBGED-TUE
ENTERPRISING GENTLEMAN CAPTURED-A
WARNING TO NEWS THIEVES.

HOW THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Is ROBBED-THE
ENTERPRISING GENTLEMAN CAPTURED-A
WARNING TO NEWS THIEVES.
SACRAMENTO, Cal, July 29.-The case of
Van Valkenburgh the Manager OF the office in this city
of the Central Pacific Railroad division of the Atlantic
and Pacific Telegraph Company who was caught in the
act of attempting to steal the Associated Press
dispatches last night, was called up in the PO-
lice Court this morning at 10 o'clock. Van
Vakenburgh did not jump fall from
balcony, as stated in a dispatch TO the
American Press Association by the Atlantic
and Pacific line, but held in tho position he
was caught untiI taken I'm charge by p policeman The
"cp" and paper taken out of his hands before he
was moved from the position IN which he was found.
the balconies of the Western Union office and the
next TO it, where he had crouched to copy the report
His position brought him within hearing Of the
OF the instrument in the Office, window having been left
open near him He was first seen to come out of The
the Western Union office, aud coming out through a
window the balcony of the house which adoinsthat
OF the Western Union building, there being space Of
two feet between the balconies where he took nj his
pos0n and from which be did not move until detected.
The pistol fired by Mr.. Picrson, the Western Union
operator, was merely TO ntmidate Ven yalkenburgh,
and had its effect he held up the clip aud begged
he would not kill him. There was 40 attempt made to
do him any bodily injury, except few lgsty kicks ad-
The opposition line Is known 10 have been down por-
ton Of the day yesterday and up TO one o'clock this
morning; hence his attempt to supply the from
more reliable source at little expense.
The following from The Sacramento Union, gives q
very clear statement Of the attempt 10 steal the dis
patches: ,
the Western Union Tclegra office, SecOnd-st,
tween and k-sts aud quite excitement ensued In
the neighbOrhOod. Being in the immediate vicinity at
the time reporter up to the telegraph Office and
learned that the of the excitement the
cry OF the leak in the Western Union Telegraph Com
plnys affairs whereby the Eastern dispatches Of the
ISOLATED Press have been stolen since the latter part Of
june when about column Of news was distracted and
appeared In other papers simultaneously with those fOf
which II sent detective has been employed In the
Western Union Company TO work the matter up. The
indications 10 the effect thlt messages had been
taken of In this city and strict watch has therefore
been kept ever since. Last night few minutes before
the shot referred fired f. L. PersOn, of the
Western Union operators, while the balcony in front
OF The operating room, heard noise the balcony ad
joining. and, looking around, he saw the figure OF
which he thought he recognized that OF +. 5. Van
Valkenburgh the manager OF the office Of the Central
Pacific Railroad division of the Atlantic and Pacific Tel
egTaph Company. As Mr.. PiersOn turned the
stepped back into the shadow but Mr. Picrson became
confident that II Van Nalkenburgh, and
press dispatches they came over at
few minutes afterward the dispatches commenced
coming IN, and MI. PersOn went 10 the Instrument 10
receive them. He was scarcely down. however before
that the man outside had taken position from which he
could hear everything, and he therefore, sgnaed the
operator sending the dispatches TO wait minute, and
went on the balcony ana caught sight of van Nalken
railing OF The balcony Of the telegraph sding and that
or the building adjoining 10 the norm. Drawing his
pistol he rcd shot IN tine air 10 intimdtte Van Naken
burgh ana 10 call assistance, which was quickly iorth-
coming from the other side of tie street IN the person
OF j. Allen, the agent Of the company, and ODioer
Moore, who took Van ValkenbuIgh IN custody
Alter the shot rot the latter called o. Mr.. Pcrson
not " hunt him ar Xii hun and holding up clip.