The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-27
DRAWER AND ALL,
Porter Dixon's Cool Little:
Robbery. !:
HE STEALS $40 IN GOLD.
Wished His Employer cherry Christ
mas" and Then Walked Off: ~.
With His Cash.

One of the most daring robberips ever
perpetrated in this city occurred on Sunday
morning last. when the safe of c. j. Miles
the proprietor OF the A b saloon at the
corner of KearDy and California streets
was robbed OF $50 in gold coin, when there
were more than fifty men standing within
ten feet OF the robber and in full view of
him while he was at work.
On Christmas morning Miles, the pr0pri-
etor OF the A B C House, had a turkey: raj
fie. George Dixon. his porter, whom he
employed three months ago, was unusually
attentive to the guests, and Miles concluded
that he would make George a Christmas
present OF SIS gold piece on Christmas
day.
just before the men who had chances in:
the ratfte went into the cardroom back.:of
the bar. and in which the safe of the house;
Is situated. Miles took $3.50 in gold coin be-:
longing to the bar and $50 in gold beFon cling
to customer, put the money In the, Safe
and ran the combination. y: :
He tried the lock and found it secure
then went about the business of the rattle
The men who had chances on the turkeys
crowded around the table and shook the.
dice, Miles overseeing the affair So that
there would be no cheating. In the next
room the barheeper was kept busy serving
Christmas drinks, and George Dixon. tbs
obliging porter. was everywhere making
himself useful, but, as is HOW remembered,
during his moments OF rest George leaned
against the safe.
While he was leaning against the safe
Dixon was quietly working the combinatio
which he had undoubtedly been learning
during the three months of his employment
about the place He had turned all tho
tumblers of the lock but one when the rattle
ended and the crowd, with Miles at its
head, surged Into the barroom for fare
we'll Christmas drink.
1t was Dixon's opportunity, and regard
less OF the fact that more than two score
men stood just outside the open door, he
gave the combination wheel Just one more
turn; swung open the safe door and took
ont the drawer containing the SS40n gold !:
Knowing that the least noise would result
in detection, Dixon took money drawer and
all. and wrapping it up in piece of paper
hastily closed the safe door and threw the:
combination. :
Both Miles, his barkeeper and dozen Of.
his customers remember seeing the package
on Dixon's coat, but they thought nothfn,
of II, and finally when 8 o'clock Christina s.:
morning came the crowd went: home. :leaV-
ing Dixon 10 clean up. -. =
He did his work thoroughly, took a$drink
with the barkeeper and drIfted.. out. with:
his package" under his arm, wishing #hise
eolaborer in the saloon a MERRY christ
mas. =-s ~ - !:
Just where Dixon drifted to THE police;
and Mr. Miles would like to- know IN &:
wherever hs went the $40, in good solid
golden tens and twenties, went with.
him. -: : - = -.
Mr.. Miles never opens his safe on sun
days. and this DixoS knew, SOFT was.Ilot:
until yesterday morning that the robbery
was discovered. =. $ $50:
Dixon's failure to appear around tho
place Sunday or Sunday night was set:
down TO too much Christmas and because
the fellow had been so industrious and. so.
willing 10 work Miles had made. MP hts.
mind to forgive him for his lapse: from
| duty. ~. 10:
When Miles opened his safe. yesterday
| and discovered the robbery he at once
| notified the police, but DiXnn had mo re
| than twenty hours the start and tits doubt
| fnl If he is caught. 1870 =>::: -, - :.
| Dixon is believed to be an eXpertcT0oE
with history Of no little interest. (: -:
Long ago lie was a. on-tainer with a,
| menagerie, but through an epidemic. THE.
! four performing lions he owned died aud
he was without money to purchase others:
/ He then went 10 keeping bar. When. Dixon
| arrived in this city and went to- .Work:fsr
| Miles he had a half-dozen watches, VI htcli;
| he explained, he had taken in pawn while:
| tending bar. 1t is now believed th at chezis.
| an expert crook and that he had planned
the robbery of Miles safe before going to.
work there and spent the weeks he:SerTeii
| as porter IN mastering the combination of
| the safe. =. - -. - = -
That Dixon was in hurry is certain, for.
ha overlooked $500 diamond ring that las
| on the shelf just above the money-draw i.
he took, and it IS equally certain. he pro-
posed to run no risks, for heIeftuntouche0
$3.50 in silver in another drawer: to have
touched which he must have made, a. noise.
Miles felt sorry for Dixon Sunday MORN.
ing. because 1.-THE poor fellow didn't have
much of a Christmas" He isn't sorry. no w;
but Dixon will be If the police find him. =. s.