Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-02-27
HOW 1T WAS DONE.
Details Of the Capture Of Duncan, the Forging
Banker-The Modus 0perandi Of Detective
Work,
From the s. F. Chronicle, Gath. |

From the s. F. Chronicle. Gath.
Joseph Duncan, the notorious
fugitive banker, who has given the
police more trouble than any other
criminal since the early days of
the city, and who has been the
cause of more newspaper comment
than any other Individual of purely
LEGAL celebrity, WAS captured this
morning shortly after midnight by
Capt. Lees, the Chief, and squad
of trusted officers. The clue which
led to the capture of the famous
criminal was derived indirectly
from the recent chase after him
over the bay, which is so fresh in
the public mind. His hiding place
was at 500 Kearney street, a large
three-stOry brick building near the
corner of Sacramento. On Friday
evening Capt. Lees retired to
OSCAR LEwIs's SALOON
On Suffer street, where he met
young Willie Duncan, and the ret
icent Tom Van Ness, who has been
the close friend of the Duncans
since his escape, with their counsel.
The evening passed in desultory
conversation, principally in refer
ence to the case. Captain Lees had
laid a deep plan for the capture of
the fugitive, however, and, as will
be seen, carried 1t out successfully.
Later in the evening the party pro-
posed to repair to u restaurant for
oysters. At that moment, howev-
err, Stewart Menzies, whose yacht
Htaine played SO important a part
in the night chase week ago, en-
tered the saloon and engaged Cap
tain Lees in conversation. He
therefore had
A GOOD EXCUSE
In declining the invitation press
IDgly extended to join the party in
supper. The party left Lewis's
and repaired to an oyster saloon on
Bush street, and Captain Lees
sauntered along Kearney street
with Mr.. Menzies. At Pine street,
after few moments conversation,
Captain Lees succeeded in leaving
his companion on the pretense that
he was very greatly exhausted and
desired to go home. Mr.. Menzies
departed for his residence and the
Captain hurriedly repaired to the
vicinity of the oyster saloon, where
he patiently
AWAITED THE CONCLUSION
OF the supper. In half hour the
party sauntered slowly out and at
the corner of Bush and Kearney
streets separated. Captain Lees
glued his watchful eyes on par
ticular member of the party, and,
pulling his coat-cOllar about his
neck ard his hat over his eyes, de-
termined to follow him. He dog
ged his footsteps for an hour or two,
until he saw him meet another
man, whose features the Captain
succeeded in retaining in his mind.
He then left for home and slept
until yesterday morn
ing, when he arose fresh for the
days work. The Captain took
upon himself the duty of
THE PARTICULAR MAN,
And let no person but his superior
into the secret. Yesterday after
noon he happened upon the indi-
vidual of whom he was in quest,
and followed him closely to the
house No. 500 Kearney street. His
actions before reaching the door,
way, and the manner of his en-.
trance through the portals, con-
WINGED the Captain that his flown
bird was there concealed. He
tracked the man to a particular
room where his entrance was gain ed
in very mysterious and careful
manner, and the Captain was still
more convinced. He waited some
time for the man to emerge from
the room, but finally
RELINQUIsHED THE WATCH
And left for the City Hall, where
he at once set on foot the prepara-
tons for q raid upon the suspected
room. Last night, at midnight.
there were gathered in the office of
the Chief OF Police, under the
especial direction of that official
and Captain Lees, the following
officers: Detectives Meagher, Jones,
John and Dan Coffey, Cox, Byram,
Gardiner, McGrsavy, McDermott,
Il. Kelly, Moorehouse, Bee ana
Davis. They knew not the partic-
ular duty to which they were to be
assigned, but they were we'll as
sured that there was something
important on the tapis from the
pleased expression on the faces of
LEES AND THE CHIEF,
And their frequent whispered con-
situations. Each was hidden to
look carefully after his revolver,
and to be OH his strict guard during
the job. Shortly after midnight
the party left the Chiefs Office in
couples, slowly and as apparently
on their way home after days
work. Along Kearney street, on
both sides of the way, they walked
slowly but nervOusly until 500 was
reached, when all of the darkly
clad figures glided into the open
doorway, as If seeking lodging
above, and
AsCENDED THE
STAIRS
To the first landing, where the
men were disposed on various de-
tails. When the officers reached
the head of the stairs q German
resident in the house was aroused
by the creaking of the steps, anu
putting his head out of his door,
took out his police whistle, and
blew 1t Justify. In twinkling, a
dozen revolvers were at his head
urging silence, and after II whis-
pered explanation, the affrighted
German retired to bed.
A number OF men were sent to
the roof, another party in the rear,
where every possible avenue of es-
cape could be closely watched, and
the remainder were disposed at in
tervals through the halls Of the
house. The room which was
to be the central point of