Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-29
SANTA CLAUS ARRESTED
How Inspector Shea Caught the Old
Man Early Christmas Morning.

Man EARLY Christmas MorhinS'
From the Chicago Times.
Inspector John d. Shea. chief Of de-
tectives, is probably the only man in the
world who ever arrested Santa Claus.
He was then a young detective, with n
reputation to make. 1t was Christmas eve,
or, to be more exact. 1t was 2 o'clock
Christmas morning. The young detective
had been on duty until l o'clock, and was
on his way home. AS he turned the cor
ner of the street on which his residence
was located his attention was attracted to
an ole man with long. gray beard. trudg-
ing along on the other side. On his back
was a bag commonly known as gunny
sack. The detective walked rapidly. cross
ed to the other side end overlook the aged
man Then he saw what seemed to be a
genuine Santa Claus On his head was u
little fur cap, his long coat was trimmed
with fur and was buttoned up close under
his chin. His features We're completely
Hidden by his big, white beard.
AS Detective Shea came up with him, the
old man said
Merry Christmas
"Ain't you out pretty late?' asked the
detective, in anything but friendly voice.
well, yes" replied the old man. Then
he drew a card from his pocket and hand
glanced at IT and saw that 1t contained the
name of prominent citizen whom he knew
very we'll by reputation, but had never
seen.
well. where are you going with that
bag at this time of night?"
II am going down to play Santa Claus for
my little nephews and pieces. l didn't sup
pose any one would be around the streets
in this neighborhood to see ME in these
ridiculous Clothes
Then he opened the sack and showed a
number of children's toys and little decora-
lions for Christmas tree. Detective Shea
who had been suspicious at first. began to
weaken. Here was wealthy citizen in
dulging in a little Christmas fun and here
was a young detective asking him all sorts
Of . questions and thinking seriously of
placing him under arrest on suspicion. He
thought he hnd better be a little careful
Then the Santa Claus said:
And now, sir. who are your
Il am q police officer" said the detective
showing his star.
II thought as much that is why I an
swered your questions" said Santa Claus.
We'll. sir. l will bid you good night, and
again wish you merry Christmas"
He stopped over to pick up his sack,
which he had deposited in the snow. The
bending position caused one side of his
long, false beard to fan from his face
The detective seized him, for in the sec
ond that the beard was lowered he saw a
long scar across the cheek of Santa Claus
He knew that scar. He had given il to
the man himself. while the latter was
making desperate effort 20 escape.
The next morning the real wealthy citi-
zen called at detective headquarters to re-
port that his house had been robbed and
several thousands of dollars worth of val
liable jewelry, as well as all the Christ
mas presents, had been stolen. He was
overjoyed to find everything at the sta
ton. He had been playing Santa Claus for.
the children on Christmas eve and had
left his disguise lying by the Christmas
tree. The burglar. daring fellow, thought
the best way to escape with the valuable
presents was to put them in a sack and
pretend to be a Santa Claus. IF he had
made his false beard secure he might have
escaped detection.