The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-09
A MEAN THIEF.
Rifiing His Comrades Clothes in
Gymnasium.

Among the many annoyanees that from
time to time try the patience of the officers
and Directors of athletic institutions, none
are so trying to their patience as the pecu-
lations of sneak-theves among their men,
berShip. The Olympic Club, years ago, was
victimiZed for months by daring offender,
who. after long career of petty crime. was
caught in the act of rifiing the lockers of his
fellow members, arrested, tried and con-
yicted.
That this individual had imtators IL like
establishments had been matter of regret
and worry for a long time to the Directors
of the Young Mems Christian Association.
Until quite recently, complaints had been
reaching Secretary Mccoy for months Of
the loss of Jewelry, money and overcoats
from the gymnasium dressing-room in the
basement of their Sutter-street building, but
though strict watch was kept, and every
possible means taken to detect the culprit,
he still eluded the watchers.
AS no strangers had access TO the GYM
nasium during the time the watch was kept
up, it was with the greatest regret that the
Directors arrived at the conclusion that the
thief was member of the association. 1t
was hard to suspect any one, but scrutiny
of the roll and the recollection of some
singular condolences finally directed sus-
picioD toward couple Of Young men, over
whose movements close watch was kept
whenever they entered or left the gym
naSium. This at length resulted in the cap
ture of the culprit Zone of the suspected
partiesl. and now Secretary Mccoy and his
band OF athletes are happy in the knowledge
that the thefts have ceased and their cloth
ing and valuables are no longer tempered
with.
The credit of the capture was due to the
cantor OF the building, muscular young
EnglishmaD, equally devoted to religion and
gymnastics. Hearing one evening, fort
night ago, that one of the Suspected parties
had arrived, he clambered down the ventilat-
ing shaft and scratching little of the paint
off one of the windows of the dressing-room,
found that he had discovered an admirable
position for taking observations, and could
see everything that took place without him
self been seen. The gymnasium at the time
was crowded, and every one seemed bent
upon deriving the utmost benefit from the
chest-devel0pers and Observation-Disclosures
provided there. The dressng-ro room was de-
serted for quite wbile-it seemed an age to
the janitor-but at last the suspected party
came in, looked cautiously around. opened
his locker, and while making pretense of
taking up his own clothing in one hand was
really engaged in searching that OF all his
neighbors with tho other. After he had
tried the pockets of several pairs of pants
and one or two oyercoats, tire window was
thrown up and the astoDished sneak was
confronted by ive-chambered, elf-acting
British bulldog in the hands of the enraged
watcher. The delinquent was compelled to
dress and at once escorted to the Secretary's
room, where, after considerable bravado, he
finally acknowledged that the proof was
against him.
Mr.. Mccoy. disliking to ruin his life by
causing his arrest, read him severe lee
ture on the meanness of his acts, had his
confession drawn up in writing, and COM
PEELED the delinquent to sign the same. At
ter doing SO he was dismissed, with the eau
tion should he ever again be charged with
crime this confession would be used against
him