The morning call., 1893-03-04
Christensen's Tools for Netting Plunder.

although it was Il o'clock in the day when
they entered his house. His wife was busy
with her household duties, and one or two
children were playing about the floor when
the officers entered. At first the poor
woman was so frightened that she did not
know what to do, but protested that her
husband was a good man and had done
nothing wrong.
While Christensen was dressing the Of.
heeIs were searching the house. and If any
thing more than the information the officers
possessed in the way of evidence had been
needed TO f2steB half dozen burglaries
upon Christensen they found it in the house.
In one OF the rooms they uUearthed
complete set of smelling tools. There were
eTucibles for melting the jewelry and plate;
mOlds in which 10 run the melted metal;
ladies, acids, ETC., etc. while here and there
about the rooms were articles other than
jewelry and plate, which had been stolen
from the burglariZed residences, such as
shotguns, opera-glssses and clothing. One
OF the cracoles was found full of melted
jewelTy, which Christensen had not taken
time before going to bed to turn into the
m0lds, and In one of the molds was found
an tngOt.of silver.
Christensen was taken to the City Prison
and locked uD In the tanks, and there he
weakened and confessed everything. He
said thar he had arrived in this State in
1887, but up to nine months ago had lived in
the southern portion OF the State, where he
worked at his trade and in vineyards and
orchards. After coming TO this city he
worked for time as carpenter and then
ed on his career as a burglar. He swears
he was an honest man up to few months
ago, and can give no reason for his fall
except that he was unable to procure work
al bis trade.
Christensen alleges he always worked
alone and says that he never used any tools
to break into houses, but used TO hunt
around until be found a window or door in
some house Unfastened, when he could en-
ter and rob IL He admits that he carried
38- caliber revolver, but denies that he ever
had occasion to use il, but this last state
ment the officers do not believe, as they
think he was the burglar who shot man
over in Oakland in December last, who
caught him ransacking house and fired a
load OF buckshot athlm, Christensen return
ing pistol shot which lodged in the mans
neck. infictng painful but not danger
Gus wound.
- Christensen told his wife that he was
trading In jewelry and thus satisfied her
concerning his absence at night and his
work at,hOme melting up his plnnder. For
boldness In his operations the detectives
say that Christensen is without peer. Not
only would he enter a house and rob the uu-
occupied rooms, but he would enter the
sleeplnE-rooms and take the clothing of the
sleeping inmates, carry it Into an adjoining
room or into the yard or street and go
Through the pockets, taking everything Of
Ibulu Duu. Ou Uuc VI bhO OCCd-
siOns he took the clothes as well, and when
arrested a. suit stelen from an Oakland
man was found hanging on chair near his
bed.
The following hurglares have been traced
70 Christensen, who admits his guilt in each
case and acknowledges the taking Of the
money and property lost:
December 10, 1892 residence OF Mrs. l..
Baldwin, Oakland, where he secured $500
worth OF solid silverware.
-. December 10. 1892 residence Of II. M.
Grove, Oakland, 500 worth Of jewelry and
solid sfYerware.
Januafy 4, 1893, residence OF Rev. George
Mooar. Oakland, $500 worth OF jewelry and
= siverware.
? February @. 1893, residence of Frank
. Thompson, Berkeley, S135 in cash and S4OO
worth Of jewerY:
February 90 1893 residence Of Captain
: w. Z. Mighell. Berkeley, $3.50 in cash and
over $1,000 worth of jewelry.
This last burglary was most daring one.
there being family reunion held at the
house on the night Of the robbery and every
bedroom being occupied. From Captain
MighelPs house Christensen stole valua-
Die gup, which was found In his room.
When. arrested Christensen had S132 in
money In the pockets of his clothes, and he
intinmtes that hs Las more money in bank
or hidden away. The detectives believe
they will connect the man with five or six
= other burglaries committed on this side of
the bay. but only put the five charges
against Christensen to which he confesses