The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-09
THE COWBOY DETECTIVE"
His ChivalrOas Exploit in China.
town and Its Consequence.
Charged With Falsely Representing Himself
TO Be Revenue Officer-Operations
on Private Account.

scrape Simon year ago was employed In
the Internal Revenue Office in this city. He
made some opium seizures and wen fame
under the name of the cowboy detective"
at the time of the discovery of 5000 spuri-
Gus opium certificates with the name OF b.
NJ Thomas, inspector OF internal revenue,
forged upon them. in the possession of
Wong Gee On. suspicion fell on Thomas.
Simon was the detective who brought the
forged certificates to light and who accused
Thomas of the crime. While In jail Wong
Gee On cleverly initiated Thomas signature
and confessed to the forgery. Then Thomas
was exoDerated, and shortly afterward
Simon lost his place as a revenue officer
Ever since that time he has been working
on his own account as private detective,
combining his operations principally to
Chinatown. He is now to be tried on a
charge of representing himself to be reve-
nue. officer of the United States.
On the afternoon of July 26 Simon and
Nick Long of Stockwelps Theater were
passing through Chinatown when they
heard two Chinese girls screaming and fight
ing TO free themselves from the clutches of
a Chinese woman III charge of den at 739
Jackson street. Simon and Long went to
their rescue and took the girls to the Meth
Odist Episcopal Chinese Mission, of which
Rev. MIR. Masters is superintendent and
Mrs. A. c. Downs is matron.
sfMoN's REPRESENTATIONS.
Thus far the action of Simon had about it
a cbivalrous flavor. But he afterwaId re-
turned to the mission and then began the
troubles in which he is now involved Tell
ing Mrs. Downs that he was a revenue off,
Ger he took her, one of the girls and
police officer TO the brethel, where he de-
manded the trunks belonging to the girls,
loaded them on hack and took them to
the Chinese Mission. turning them over TO
Mrs. Downs. Later in the evening he
again called at the mission, accompanied by
a reporter. and asked the girls for state
ment of the facts OF their escape. DR.. Mas
tiers interpreted the story.
Next day Simon, accompanied by an ex-
pTessman, called on Mrs. Downs and de-
manded possession of the trunks She
asked him for his authority, when he again
informed her that he was a.revenue officer,
and that everybody knew him to be such.
Simon further Informed her that he would
report the matter TO the Collector of Gus
toms. She told him the trunks were locked
and the keys could not be found. Simon
said that made no difference: he was au-
thoriZed to break open trunks, and imme-
dlately did so In her presence and that of
others at the IN isSion. Simon thereupon
took from the trunks 500 in silver ana
some jewelry, supposed to be worth 5000
These he placed in his pockets. after which
he removed the trunks, taking one down to
the wagon himself and the expressman the
other.
As he left he again assured Mrs Downs
that he would report the matter to the Col
lector. The lady did not like Mr.. Simon's
way OF doing business. so she wrote an
account of his transactions herself and for
warded 1t 20 Collector Phelps. That officer
turned her letter over to Colonel Eldridge,
the Internal revenue agent, who detailed
Inspector Thomas to look, into this
detective. With Detective Cox of the
Police Department he called upon a
Chinaman who knew all about the case
The owner OF the den was also seen. There
1t was learned that Simon had called on the
evening following the rescue OF the girls
and had Informed the Chinese woman that
he was revenue officer and that he could
get the trunks back. She promised him
$500 for the trunks, together with the
money and lewelry. Simon returned the
woman found several of the pieces of jew
elry missing she paid him only 800, promis-
ing him Sli0 more when he returned the re-
mainder OF the iewelry.
SIMON GETS ANGRY.
At this. she said. Simon became very
angry ana threatened to arrest her. He
then lett, returning shortly with another
man. whom he represented to be a police
officer. and told her that unless she paid the
money to him the officer would arrest her
Tor claiming the trunks. She, however, re-
fused 10 be intimidated, and Mr.. Simon
made no arrest.
Upon the foregoing state of facts being
reported to Colonel Eldridge he advised
Mrs. Downs to swear TO a complaint which
she did on Saturday last. Yesterday MORN
ing Simon walked into the Marshaps office
and surrendered himself. His bail was set
at $500. He produced two bondsmen and
was released. his examination being set
down Tor Tomorrow. His principal grew
ance seemed to be that he had TO pay 81 so
for his bail bond. In an interview with
III reporter NimOn ha
ton was inspired by spite in retaliation for
his course IN unearthing a year ago the
fraudulent opium certificates. He also said
that lie was on the eve Of procuring an ap-
pointment from the Government as rev.
enue officer, and that the charge against him
was concocted by Inspector Thomas in order
to prevent his appointment.
The law which Simon Is accused of yio-
lating IS the act OF April Is, 1884, which de-
clares that:
Every person who. with intent to defraud the
Uniied States. or any person who falsely as
sumes or pfetends 10 be officer or, employe
acting under the authority OF the United States
or any department, or any officers OF the Gov rn-
ment thereof and who shall in such pretended
character demand or obtain from any person any
money or other valuable thing. shall be deemed
guilty oil felony aud punishable by fine aud i'm
prisOnment,
At the internal revenue Office IL was
learned that Simon had recently repre-
sentsd himself as revenue officer TO
Police Officer Hurley and 10 many others in
the city. and tn at the evidence was abund-
ant that he had continually represented
himself as United States officer ever since
his connection with the internali revenue
service had ceased. Officers have been
watching him for long time. but this is the
first time they have been able to secure evil
dence which renders him liable to prosecu-
ton.
Bakery Company.