The morning call., 1890-10-15
AN INGENIOUS BURGLAR
He Writes Notes to Minister
Pleading Repentance.
The Correspondence Eventually Leads to His
Arrest and Recognition by
the Police.

On last Wednesday evening the study Oh
DR.. Els of the Presbyterian Tabernacle,
on the corner of Golden Gate avenue and
Polk street. was entered by some one, and
many valuable documents were stolen. 1t
was only one of series of burglaries CON-
mtted in churches during the past few
weeks. The culprit left behind this note:
Don't let the police Know and Will make
terms. BURGLAR.
p S. II you do l will destroy what L have
taken.
As soon as the depreciation was discovered
the minister, who resides at the Renton
House. reported the matter to the police.
showing also the note that had been left.
The case was given into the hands of
Detectives Bee and Harper, but before they
could do anything the following letter was
received by DIR. Ellis, which tells the best
part OF the story:
HOMESICK AND DEAD BROKE.
THURSDAY Der. 9th.
Dear Sir: Allow me to acqusint You with The
fact Of you are not already acquainted With ny
that your studio was entered last night and some
papers, such as deeds, mairlage-certincateS, ie-
ceints, a bank book, etc, taken therefrom
Now /, having come into possession OF them,
have the following proposition to maze: Ii You
VIII nay me the sum of 500 and promise not 10
attempt TO prosecute ne, l VIII return every
thing just as | got them Now, that sum you
Will never miss, and ii VIII enable me 10 go home
and lead a better life. as am thoroughly sick OF
the life l am leading, but being out OF work,
nOnlcsCS ana ueau Dfpke, L was leu INTO the
crime by evil companions.
Now with 500 can reach my home which is
In the East, and being away from evil influences
and having good Christian parent can lead a
better life; So II you agree omy request incloSe
five twenty dollar gold pieces in a small boz and
address it to c. II. a. Boydon general Postotiice,
cry, Till called for and insert the following adj:
C. ii. A. B.-l agree 10 your terms.-J. w. L.
In personals.
Then VIII send 10 the 2. o. for the package.
and II everything is all right | will return the
paper by return mail. II you refuse The prop
osition l know professional swIndler who VIII
buy them, and l shall let him have them If the
ad. don't appear Saturday. SO, hoping that You
VIII agree 10 this, remain, ETC., q. Ii. A. b.
Z. S.-Don't send anything but cash, as shall
refuse II. You VIII have TO take the ad. to-
morrow (friday), before II o'clock, If you decide
10 accept
OTHER LETTERS FOLLOWED.
Other letters followed this in quick sue
cesSion. One from the burglar stated that
he must have the money and that very
quickly. 1t was urged that he would sell
the papers that he had secured TO the sWind-
Ter mentioned in the first letter if something
was not done, and he proposed further that
the minister should paste note on the Win
dow of his study, stating that everything
was all right, so that he might come in and
receive the money.
The sign on the window was not exhibited,
but messenger-boy waited on the minister
and handed him note demanding 500. The
writer said that ne only had 50, which he
had given to the messenger, WHO, in turn,
delivered up a portion OF the papers that
had been stolen. When the messenger left
DR.. Ellis followed him, and found that he
entered the Palace Restaurant. He called in
Officer Atkinson, and had him arrested.
THE BURGLAR Gagged.
The prisoner proved to be the original
and lettei- writing burglar, and gave his
name as c. II. A. Boydon. He was recog-
nized as the same person who WAS shot at
by Officer Benjamin while leaving the
1aylor-street Synagogue some weeks ago
after burglary. At his lodgings on Mis-
sion street, near Sixth, were also found
skeleton keys, a mask and dark lantern.
Boy1on was charged with burglary He
is y years of age and quite good-looking.
The police expect to be able to place other
charges against him.