Los Angeles herald., 1892-06-13
PECULIAR LARCENY.
A MAN CONVICTED OF LARCENY FOR
TAKING HIS OWN BELONGINGS.
Tho Story as Told by the Sufferer-A
vagary of Santa Monica
Justice. ,0s

IL mas renamed t0r SANTA MONICA,
that festive seaside burg, to show man
kind how to convict an individual OF
larceny for stealing his own property.
The story which the HERALD is about
to relate is one which any citizen of
free America is liable to look upon with
doubt, but the truth of it, strange as it
may seem, is vouched for.
Otto Silberberg is well-known citi-
zen and taxpayer oil Los Angeles, whose
honesty has never been questioned.
In fact, he is generally known as the
very soul of honor. During the boom
years, Mr.. Silberberg was one of the
men whose energy and business ability
helped great deal toward attracting
attention to this city. Mr.. Silberberg
has been engaged in various
kinds Of enterprises, and this
summer he decided. in partnership
with Mr.. Steinman, to open tent
restaurant in Santa Monica cafion. Ac-
cordingly he purchased lot of pro-
visions and general outfit in Los An
geles. He needed. of course, team to
take the freight from Santa Monica sta
ton to the canon, and, in order to pat
ronize former friends, he engaged a
wagon in Los Angeles and loaded por-
ton of his goods on the vehicle.
In the meantime his partner Stein
man, who is very near-sighted and has
had no business experience, went to
Santa Monica and hired all expressman
named Leih to take him and his luggage
to the canon.
/ Upon arrival at the destination Leih
presented paper to Steinman. which
he said would have to be signed. The
signature was forthcoming, although
Steinman did not understand what it
was all about. Since then it has been
developed that the document was an
agreement whereby Steinman contracted
to have all carriage of freight done by
Leih. rc
When Silberberg, with his truckman
and load, arrived at the stationdn Santa
Monica, he found there portion of his
goods as they had been unloaded from
a freight-car. Inasmuch as he had
given bond to, the Southern Pacific 80 as
to be able to take his goods at any time,
he at once, with assistance of the Los
Angeles truckman, proceeded to load up
his property.
While thus engaged he was suddenly
addressed very violently by a stranger
(Leln) something ike bnlS
"Here! here! What are you doing
there? have the call for those goods,
and yon better drop them"
"Why, they are mine," answered Sill
berberg, "and here are the shipping re-
ceipts."
"That makesno difference, remarked
the other, 81 am the only one who has
the right to take them"
1hnu - IL
himself to be blufed, and, after loading
up his own goods, drove off to the cafion.
That evening, at about 9 O'Clock, he
was surprised to see two men drive up
to his tent in a buggy. One was Leih,
the other Constable Dexter.
THAT is the man." said LEIGH, point
ing to Silberberg; ARREST him"
"Hello, Otto!" exclaimed the consta-
BILE, sis that you? By Jove, if L had
known that you were the man wouldn't
have come"
Nevertheless, Dexter arrested Mr.. Sill
the whole affair for $1,000. Silberberg
Twitchell. The latter seemed to have
matters all cut and dried, and at once
placed Silberberg under 5000 bail, the
CudTko having Uocu UOIGuTcu NY sOuuc
peculiar process into "petit larceny"
The bail was secured, and Silberberg
demanded jury trial.
In few days the trial came on, and
Silber berg was convicted of petty lar
ceny. He was fined 500 and costs. The
defen dant could not afford the time and
trouble to appeal, and paid the penalty.
A few days ago one Of the jurymen
came to Silberberg's place in the caflon.
Il came to say to say to you," he re-
marked, "thatl I am sorry we had to
convict you. We knew you were inno-
cent, but somebody had to pay the ex-
penses of the trial and the fees, you
know!"
Mr.. Silberberg at once invited the
gentleman to make his escape be-
fore his head was broken.
Thus it was that an honest man has
had his clear record blotted by as clear
q conspiracy as was ever connived.
Hereafter, if at any time Otto Silber-
berg is asked in court whether he was
ever convicted of crime, he will have
to answer, to be truthful, Eyes, was
convicted OF petit larceny in Santa
Monica"