The herald., 1893-07-21
AN UNCATCHABLE PEEP|NG TOM,
He Created an Excitement in
Santa Barbara.
The Authori ties Unable to Effect His
Capture.
He Annoys Women Beyond Endurance
But Manages to Keep Out
of the Way of the
Men.

just now the quiet, law-abiding peo-
pie OF quieter Santa Barbara are in
state of suppressed anxiety bordering
upon frenzy. The female portion of the
community has become thoroughly ter
rorized, while those of the stronger sex
are also beginning to feel a slight snxi-
ETY. about venturing out of doors after
dark.
Nobody goes out in the evening unless
armed to the teeth or accompanied by
several companions, and yet the whole
score seems to be much ado about moth
ing.
1t is all due to the presence in that
town OF some cantankerous individual
called Peeping Tom. As will be at once
assumed, TON" is like the others of
his class, and operates surreptitiously
and under cover OF darkness, selecting
women az his victims. So far as ia yet
known he has attempted no actual vic.
lence, but as to his advances there can
be no question.
His general mode of procedure Is to
walk up behind some lady or ladies, as
the case may be, and initiate the sound
of kiss. At times he will make some
remark, and another favorite pastime is
to make liberal display OF himself He
also goes to the windows of houses and
peeps in and rattles the shutters. His
operations are confined to no particular
section of the town or class of society,
but are directed to one and all without
discrimination and without restraint.
At one time his performances were
directed towards the Arlington hotel.
He got the guests into such state Of
fright that they threatened to leave, and
in self-defense the hotel people had to
employ two private detectives to look
out for Master "Tom." He managed,
however, to escape capture.
Since then he has favored only pri-
vate residences with his "peeps" and
advances.
The worst part of the whole affair is
that the fellow has been at large and
has been carrying on his nefarious bust
ness for over a year and a half, and
the people of the town in general are in
state bordering upon the explosive.
The police are utterly helpless in the
matter, and claim to have tried every
way to capture the miscreant, but all in
vain.
The town council has also passed reso-
lutions In regard to "Tom," but the
peeping fellow has snapped his fingers
at the legislative authority OF the city
and goes along the same as before.
The male population, which is vastly
outnumbered by the weaker sex, also
seems helpless. Many Of the men have
threatened to shoot Master Tom full OF
holes at the first opportunity, but they
are still waiting for the chance. As to
the women, their feelings can better be
imagined than described.
The police force of the town consists
of two stsIwart officers, each about feet
4 inches in height. But they are very
brave.
About year ago they awoke to the
realization of the fact that Master Tom
was thoroughly Indifferent to their
official dignity and that Il general re-
spect and Difference with which the
balance of the town regarded them did
not extend to Tommie. So they looked
around for more practical means with
which to run the rascal from his cover
OF darkness into the bright light of Santa
Barbara's sunshine, and the public's in
dignation.
Finally one ofthem, the brainiest man
on the entire force, proposed that he
should dress as woman, venture out
after dark and endeavor to attract Tom
and then nab him. So one star light
and romantic evening the officer, garbed
in side walk clearing crinoline, cute poke
bonnett and all the accustomed fxings,
sailed forth.
Tom must have smelled a mouse, and
thinking that the town was not large
enough to coutain two real live nom
petrified freaks, discretely remained in
doors.
Officer Peeler, who Is very proud of
his shape when clothed in blue uniform
and brass buttons, finally became dis
coursged. He wslked up the town and
down the middle again but no Tom ap-
peared. Officer Peeler finally became
diegusted and went home. He was pos
tive after his experience OF that even
ing that there was no Tommie and that
1t WAS all canard. He knew he had
made up correctly and looked very faci-
mating as q feminine and had been as
pretty as any In the town. So if he
could not have brought Tom out Tom
did not exist. However, the force kept
at it night in and night out but no Tom
materialized go the Finest" gave it up
in despair. -
Meanwhile complaints from every one
have been pouring in almost daily, but
the force have given Tom up as bad
job. They have hit upon clever ruse,
however, and propose to bring real, gen.
uine, unadulterated strategy to the
rescue. They propose to have the
women give them clue and they will
do the rest.
Recently a woman went to the town
marshal to complain OF Tom. The off,
cial then unfolded his brilliant coup de
grace.
Madam" said he, 1--WE are powerless
to catch Peeping Tom, but ii you ladies
will all combine and help us think
that we can yet get him. Now. I'll tell
you what to do. The next time Tom
approaches you, ruah right at him and
scratch his face; scratch it real hard,
too, and then we can identify hin in
that way"
The lady thanked him for his sugges-
ton but told him to call next week for
her anewer.
To another woman who reported an
experience with Tom one of the officers
suggested that the women 60 out in
large party and when Tom appeared
they should rush up, seize and hold him
until the police could be summoned.
The number Of persons who have seen
and been accosted by Tom are legion but
ell were apparently too frightened to OBJ
Expensive Economy.