The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-08
RUN TO EARTH
The Police After the Switch Turner's on the San
jose Rosd-one of.ths Dastards in
the Tanks

James Roe. alias Wilson. one Of the das-
tardly wretches who opened a switch on
the San Jose line near Ocean View, on the
I'D OF last month. has been captured and is
In the tanks of the City Prison. There
were three In the party of traiu-wreekers,
and the police are hot on the trail of one
OF the others, and just missed one OF them
Yesterday morning after an exciting chase
from San Mateo County 10 this city.
On the night of June %, shortly before
the train for the south left Third and
townsend streets, Roe and Chris Pettvere,
alias French Frank. aud another, attempted
10 deraii the train by moving the switch
between the p0wer-house OF the electric
read at Sunnyside aud Ocean View. AS thew
had about an hour ON their hands they put in
the time by seeking the Scandinavian ga
loom kept by James Nelson, near Ocean
View. But fer the intervention of James
Wilson. one-legged man. the train would
have been ditched and several people killed
beyond doubt
Wilson was walking along the track when
ne discovered the open switch and he hast
i!y acquainted Chris Henderson, the ticket
agent at Ocean View, of his discovery.
GOING TO THE SWITCH.
In alarm, Henderson repaired to the
switch, accompanied by several others, and
alter hard work got the switch back into
pace. Inc work was accom- plished none
TOO soon either, for only very short time
after the express went dashing by, its pas
sengers little dreaming of the danger they
had escaped. The precious young scoun-
drels were on the other side OF the track,
maryeliDg how their plans had failed
The police was notified and Detective E.
E. Byrnes Of the Seventeenth street
station was put on the case. He
had not the slightest clew TO work
on. but soon he came upon Edward
Prendergast, plumber at Ocean View, who
had seen the trio and suspected they had
something to do with the case. From him
description was got through which Byrnrs
recognized the men. In company with
Henderson, the Ocean View ticket agent,
he went to a notorious house ON Folsom
street, near Fourteenth, on Tuesday night.
The place Is a resort for criminals and
women OF the lowest stamp. Before the
inmates were aware Of his presence Byrnes
was in their midst. Roe was there and as
soon as he saw the officer he knew what
was coming and attempted to make his
escape.
HANDCUFFED.
The detective was too quick for him,
however. and in trice he had him down,
and despite his struggles be succeeded in
handcuffing him. Roe was bundled out of
the house and taken TO the City Prison.
He was placed in the tanks and this MORN
ing he will be formally charged with at
tempted traln-wreeking and burglary.
No time was lost In getting after French
Frank. All his haunts were visited. His
home at 135 Juniper street was Swallowed,
but it was evident that he was away.
Early Wednesday morning Sergeant George
Bennett of the South San Francisco police
joined in the hunt and the officers finally
located their man at Baden. They took a
team and drove down the road. arriving at
the place shortly before quitting time On
Thursday evening. After a consultation
with the foreman for Contractor =. j. Ne
Cormick they found that Frenzy was out in
the field with team. He was working
under the name of Charles Scott. The Off
GERS concealed themselves TO wait until the
desperate criminal put In en- appearance.
They were disappointed. however. for they
had been seen by friend of the man they
wanted, and Frenchy had given his team to
another man and taken leg bail. He had
only an undershirt aud overalls on, but he
had evidently been apprised OF the arrest
OF his companion.
FRUITLEss SEARCH.
The officers posted down the county road
with their team and overhauIed younger
brother of the escape with bundle of
clothes for Pettvere.
They took the clothing and all night long
they secured the country, going down over
the San Mateo line, but their search was I'M
rewarded. Toward morning they headed
back for the city. having learned that he
Hhu come THIS way, byFneS TOOK the 'front.'
part of the house on Juniper street and
Bennett the rear. bulldog spra0g at Ben
nett and he bit the dust beneath vigorous
clubbing. Frenchy was not home, how
ever. and the family claimed to know moth
ing Of his whereabouts. He is still roam
ing about the country or is In hiding in his
shirt and overalls.
Although but little over 20 years of age
Frenehy has the reputation Of being one OF
the most desperate criminals in the city.
He is graduate Of the House of Correc-
ton, and is wanted on other charges besides
this last and most serious one. His family
fear. and when but youth the wretch
would bury chickens alive, and after nearly
killing them would deliberately cut off their
heads to see the bodies squirm. Bennett
and Byrnes have been on the hunt for him
without rest or sleep for 40 hours. but they
expect TO bag him soon.