The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-16
A MERCHANT DErscrIvE.


Shrswd Capture Of ..shorty'. Collins,
Partner Of Kindling.
c. b. Collins, Familiarity known to the
police of Victoria, Seattle and Tacoma a.
stShorty, the Bootblack, /" was arrested in
Tacoma yesterday morning for assisting
young Fred Kindling in burglarizing the
general merchandise store of Merritield
Bros, at Christopher, last Friday night,
and Is now in jail there.
In bringing both the thieves to justice
e. L. Merrifeld, senior member Of the
firm which was robbed, has not only re-
covered the goods that wereAstolen, but
has demonstrated the fact that he il q
shrewd detective, and he now enjoys the
envy Of the police Of both Seattle and
Tacoma.
Shortly after the robbery was discovered
Saturday morning, Mr.. Mortified started
out to find the burglars. He had not the
slightest clue as to the identity of the bur-
glars, or where they had gone. He con-
cluded, though, that at least one Of them
he was convinced from evidences there
were two-had come to Seattle. and he
took the first train to this city. When the
train arrived at the depot at 7:55 Satur-
day evening, he caught sight of young
Kindling, alias Gardner. He did not
know him; but he recognized one of his
new overcoats on the young rascal's back,
and he held him up at the point Of a re-
volyer. After he had been taken to head
quarters and searched, many of the stolen
articles were found in his possession.
Mr.. Merrifeld then started out to find
the second thief. He took in Seattle Sat-
urday night, and made up his mind his
man was not here, and he went to Tacoma
on an early boat.
As soon as the boat touched the dock
Merritieid commenced searching for man
who wore . new pair of shoes, new
trousers, new wooden shirt, new tie and a
new pair of calfskin gloves. He had not
gone far before he met Just such an indi-
vidual. Without waiting to question or
even notify the police, he placed the muz-
zle of his revolver under "Shorty the
BOotblack's" nose and ordered him to
march with him to steamer.
The boat arrived at Seattle about noon
and Mr.. MerrifeId turned his man over to
Captain I. W. Peer. When searched all
stolen was found in the fellows capacious
pockets. Even the clothing he wore had
been stolen.
An old cast-away suit of clothes was re-
surrected at police headquarters by the
jailer. Shorty" donned them and was
then sent to the dark hole to reflect on the
number Of years imprisonment he will be
oCutGliCSO VI.
Collins is an Englishman, about 40 years
Of age; he stands i've feet one inch high
and weighs 127 pounds. When not steal
ing he runs . bootblack stand. As .
criminal he has very dark record.
Several years ago he was arrested in
Victoria for crime against nature. He
was convicted and sentenced to imprison-
ment for life. He had served about year
when large number of the prisoners OBJ
tanned weapons and planned q delivery; it
being the intention Of the leaders to kill
the guards. Shorty" made known the
plan to the warden on the eve of the i'm
tended break for liberty, and the dark plot
was frustrated just in the nick Of time.
For this Collins was pardoned, and imme-
diately came to Seattle.
He then conducted bootblack stand on
Front street until December q, 1888, when
he was once more arrested for committing
a crime against nature. After a long i'm
prisonment he was released, it being found
that there was no law covering the offense
in the territory.
Both Kindling and Collins will be given
an examination before Justice Won Tobel
today.