The morning call., 1893-06-19
GANG OF ROBBERS
They Are Operating on
the Front.
HOLD-UPS OCCUR NIGHTLY.
Double Experience of Steward Jones
of the Steamer Ukiah-Money
Hidden in Hats Lining.
HOLD-UPs OCCUR NIGHTLY.

For the last few days gang of robbers
have been operating boldly. but with vary
ing success, along the water front. They
have been averaging robbery nightly for
over week. and from their manner it is
apparent they are we'll acquainted both
with the water front streets and the people
who frequent them as we'll as with the
movements of the police in that section.
1t is even said they have a system of look
outs and hold roll-call every night in a
room On Union street within block Of
the wharf
Steward Jones of the steamer Ukiah can
vouch for their existence and methods, for
he has fallen into their rayenous clutches
twice. On the first occasion he lost over
$500. a watch. chain and diamond ring
worth about $3.50. On the second he gave
the robbers a sound thraShing, not having
anything in tbs monetary line to give
them.
1t was about ten days ago he was ac-
costed the second time with a command to
stand and deliver. 1t was on the wharf at
the foot of Union street, which was de-
serted at the time. The night was very
dark and he was not able to distinguish
the Vlsages of the persons who tried to
rob him, but he could their forms He
went at them with all his strength and
put them to flight after giving some pretty
hard knocks He says there were two of
them of about the same height. He even
has suspicion of their identity and the
two waterfront vultures to whom sus-
pcion has thusly been directed are under
surveillance by the police.
Since the attempt on Steward Jones
there has been four others reported and
at least one not repor ted.i The latter W as
withheld from the police through pride by
the victim and his friends who heard of it,
He is a man of athletic built and reputa-
tion and county official of prominence.
He wandered down to the water front
canvassing among his friends. Getting
broke" he borrowed dollar from one of
them just as he was closing up his place OF
business. Hardly had the lender gone
half block when two men held up the
county official and relieved him of the dol
lar in front of a bakers shop, which was
open at the time.
j. Wald had an experience at their hands
which he will not soon forget. He saved
his money. but received beating that lie t
him insensible in the street. He had
heard of the robberies along the trout, and
having considerable money on his person
he took the precautiOn to put it in the lin
ing of his hat. He had premonition that
he would be stopped, he said, and he was
1t was on Union street where be was
hailed by the robbers. He discaimed hav-
ing any coin, but they searched his pockets
and when they found none they cut his
pockets out.
They then beat him over the head and
back, while be held tightly on to his hat
rim. He was rendered insensible and laid
on the street for some time. A passer-by
found him and conveyed him to his home,
where Wald. as soon as he came to. pulled
off his hat and found the hidden money.
A sailor named johnson also reported
having been robbed, but of how much he
could not say, as he was intoxicated at the
time.
Sven Petersen had the same experience
and knows he lost about S14 in small coin.
Every one robbed so far has described
the robbers-always two of them-as OF
medium height. and they are thought to be
hangers-on at saloons along the front.
The police say the robbers will wind up
soon, for their identity is almost certain.
They even claim to know who the look
outs are. but SO far nothing has been
learned to make sure case against any of
them. The persons under surveillance
have not been working for over year and
have been spending money as freely as
though they had been. The saloon men
along the front are terrorzed by the gang
ami they fear TO keep much money in their
places late at night.