The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-25
WALKED OUT OF PRISON.
Willie Helmers Deceives the Pc.
lice Officers.
He Answers to a Fellow Prisoners Name.
he Regains His Freedom-A Legend
of the City Prison.

Hundreds Of people who have drifted into
the Baldwin Hotel in the last two years will
remember Willie Helmers. who, until
month ago, occupied the position Of mail
clerk at the desk Of the big hostelry. Will
lie. to the surprise Of many Of his friends,
suddenly disappeared, and inquiries failed
to reveal The secret of his whereabouts.
Now, however. the story has leaked out.
and Billy is the hero of certain class OF
youngsters who think that law-breaking Is
the true calling of the thoroughbred.
BILLY" went into the employ OF MT.
Baldwin nearly two years ago, mild
hammered lad who was fresh from school,
and who looked the picture OF youthful IT,
nocence For time he worked faithfully.
and was regarded by his employer as
model youth. In the course OF time, how
ever, he became imbaed with desire to be
"a blood" From time TO time he was seen
in the company OF crowd OF youthlul
offenders, aud he was cautioned by his
friends to be careful.
wILLIE's DOWNFALL.
A month ago, or nearly so at any rate, the
final crash came and Billy fell into disgrace.
The mode of his escape forms an interesting
chapter in the annals of tie Police Depart
ment of San Francisco.
Young Uelmcrs, ike many youths OF his
age, became an opum-smoker, aud In order
to indulge his passion for the drug he hired
a room on Sixth street. At the same time
he purchased n complete outfit and invited
his friends TO join with him. They did so, aud
Finally the police became informed of what
In little time the place became notorious.
was going on and Officers Dillon, Crockett
and Allen concluded to raid the place. They
did So, aud the result was that the festive
William and three Of his swift young
friends were caught in the act OF hitting
the pipe" All four We're arrested and con-
veyed 10 the Central station, where they
were locked up on charge of smoking
opium. Helmers was also accused OF keep
ing an opium cint, and when his room was
searched a complete set of burglars tools
vas found in his possession. This, too, was
charged against him.
KowALsKY SENT FOR.
When the youthful Helmers found the
position in which he has fallen he sent al
once fer Attorney Kowalsky, whom he had
known at the hotel, aud asked him to do
what he could to get him out of the scrape
Il can't do it, my boy. was the attorneys
response. you are in for it this time and l
think you will GO across the bay. They've
got an alright cinch on you from the looks
If things"
Kowalsky after TINS delivering himself
turned on his heel and walked out, leaving
the ung fender 10 his fate.
That night, however, a circumstance Oc-
CURED which rescued WilliamIfrom felons'
cell and gave him the liberty for which he
had pined. In the loom OF fate, In fact,
web was weaving of which he was uncon-
sciOus.
1t seems that on the day prior to VIII
Iiam's arrest John Mccarthy, an ambitious
youth of Sacramento, who pined for
broader field for his youthful talents, left
his home and came TO San Fran cisco In
search of adventure. He rode ON brake
beam, and failed To tell his mother of his i'll
tam hn hot ha VI
sought for far and wide, and Chief Crow
ley was telegraphed 10 locate him IL posi-
bic and send him home. Detectives Coffey
and Cox were put upon his trail, and located
him on the street He vas taken az once to
the station, and by chance placed In the
same cell with HelmeTs. The latter saw
his chance, aud laid for an opportunity. 1t
came In tie morning.
LEFT HIS COMPANION ASLEEP.
The Sacramento runaway, tirei and
sleepy from his late adventures, had fallen
into a sound sleep, anu reposei in the cor
ner Of his cell oblivious of all that was
going on. HelmeTs on theicontrary was on
the alert.
{, ny had been directed to start Me-
Carthy on his homeward way, anu with the
early morning tie called loudly for him at
the door Of the cell. Ali unconscious, Me-
Carthy slept on and Hrlmers walked out.
No susp cion Of the error c. epi into the de-
tective's mind, and the young opium fiend
was told to hurry along TO the ferry as he
was to be sent home. He Obeyed with alac-
rity and at the Oakland per was given a
ticket and placed aboard of a train bound
for his supposed home. AT Sixteenth street
he got of and FASTENED back to inform his
associates of his fortunate escape from the
clutches OF the law.
Mccarthy in the meantime was called up
fer q preliminary examination, and when
he denied his identity an Investigation was
begun. Hi, mother was teiegra phed and
number of his friends were compelled to
appear for him. The matter was finally ad-
justed aud he was allowed to 20 free.
Heimers still at large ana the police are
striving to hush tile matter up.