Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-06
Santa Barbara.

An item appearing in San Francisco
paper under date of January 30th, to
the effect that one Charles Bronx, an
1S-year-old lad had arrived at the city
prison of that city on his way to San
Quentin, where he had been sentenced
from San Luis Obispo to serve one year
for burglary, has created no little talk
among those best acquainted with the
"ways peculiar" of Santa Barbara
justice. The item alone would amount
to but little, but it is reported that this
same Charles Bronx was sentenced on
January 4th by Justice Wheaton, of
this place, to thirty days in the county
Jail for burglary, and the average citi-
zen cannot comprehend how criminal
can serve term of thirty days; travel
three or four hundred miles; engage in
his old business get arrested, convicted
and sentenced, and be en- route ''across
the bay" all in less than twenty-six
days.
Such remarkable progress is incon-
ceivable. 1t is unearthly and belongs
more to spirit age than to this of simple
progressiveness. The police are as
"mystifed" as the stranger, and
none are able to account for
Mr.. Bronk's rapid service while
in this city. Bronx did not break jail
he was not delivered; he simply walked
away, and that was the end of it. We
would not ask the police to account for
his rapid term service, for none of them
are even able to say at what date his
royalty Bronx tired of Santa Barbara
diet and concluded to depart. His de-
parture was unchecked, and he was
allowed to 60 free after he had once
more satisfied the inner one. There are
tricks in all trades, and that of the
hungry tramp is choke full of them, as
evidently is also that OF the law.
SANTA BARBARA's "PEEPING TOM"
Timothy Hill, 'bent-up" old gar
dener we'll known hereabouts, was ar
rested Wednesday for maliciously enter
ing che residence of Mrs. Ellis, On Santa
Barbara street, where he was employed
at his calling. Other crimes of more or
less importance were laid at Timothy's
door, though not until yesterday alter
noon did the police make public their
findings. The HERALD correspondent
learned from Officer Kelton of confes-
sion made by said Hill, which will clear
up the old-time Peeping Tom maneuver-
ings.
Last year the lady residents OF upper
Santa Barbara were frequently Mortified
by seeing the hideous face of a man in
tently watching them from the windows
while they were preparing their bed
time toilet. At other intervals this
same ''Peeping Tom," as he was then
known, made vile expositions of his per-
son at the windows, and on few occa-
sions even went SO far as to make hei-
nous proposals to the ladies'. Owing to
his remarkable cunning he was never
captured in his disgraceful actions,
and but for the suspicious of the police
being aroused by seeing him out 30 late
at night he would have undoubtedly es-
capped punishment. Officers Keton and
Hopkins frequently met the old gardener
coming to his howell in the small hours
of the morn, and occasionally inquired
of him what he was doing out SO late,
but Timothy always had plausible ex-
cuse and he was allowed to 60 his way.
However, matters were looking suspi-
cious, and upon the frisky old mans ar
rest, the officers interviewed him and
gained a complete confession. peep
Ing lOn oVhhOUiCuSOh oil, anu hC 10
to be tried on a more heinous charge
than the one which caused his arrest.
Prominent citizens pity the old mans
degraded state, and an endeavor is tc
be made to have him sent to some in.
sane asylum in lieu OF states prison.
IN BRIEF.
The Ideal Guitar aud Banjo club il
booked. for this evening at the opers
house.
A. w. Palmar, formerly of Los Ange-
les, has purchased the grocery store O
G. G. Hunt, and will continue business
in this city.
Ventura Garmon, Frank Elveria and
one Plomosa, were up before Judge
Crane Yesterday for disturbing the
peace. Garmon was allowed to go, while
the two latter were fined $40 and ter
days, respectively.
The odd sight of mountain snow
storm was witnessed from this city yes
terday. While the sun was shining
bright and warm here, the mountain
tops, scarcely fifteen miles distant
could be seen becoming white with "th'
beau tifuls"
A small but much needed improve