The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-17
LEN HARRIS FATAL WOUND.
The Old Railway Officer Sees
His Last Fight.
Shot While Defending His Company
Against a RObber.
How Poor Len Aided in Breaking
UP Gangs OF Bandits In Ari-
IONA and the West
Years Ago.

Poor Len," was about all that was
said yesterday when the news became
known that Detective Len Harris of the
Southern Pacific company had been
shot the night before by q robber who
attempted to loot the railway station
house at Boulder Greek, in Santa Cruz
county. Len Harris had got "tip"
that the station would be robbed that
night, and he lay in wait. When the
robber appeared and ordered the station
agent to throw up his hands, Len
showed himself and commanded the
highwaymsn to surrender. The robber
fred and fatally shot the old detective.
Had it not been for Chris Evans, Har-
ris would probably not have been shot
by this robber, for in the fight with
Chris and Sontag ct the Ceres train rob-
berry, he was so badly wounded that he
suffered paralysis. Since that time he
has never been able to raise his right
arm quickly. No doubt Harris would
have got his man had he never engaged
in the fight with the Visalia bandits.
AS it is, Len, as he lie Familiarity known
among the officers OF the west, has
probably made his last msn.hunt and
seen his last tight.
For nearly year Harris lay in q pre-
cArious condition from the effect of
charge OF buckshot from Chris Evans
gun in the fight at Ceres, near Fresno.
The robbery occurred in 1890. Harris
happened to be on the train when it
was stopped by the notorious bandits,
one OF whom is now serving life SEN
tence In states prison, the other having
died from the effects of q shot in the
fight at Stone corral.
Hearing the shots from the robbers
guns, Harris boldly walked out of the
train and took his stand behind tele-
graph pole. He poured a continuous
volley at the robbers, apparently without
effect. Chris Evans, seeing Harris,
remarked to Sontag: "That man be-
hind the telegraph pole is q id nuis-
snce; Ill take whack at him just for
fun"
Chris Evans bullet had the effect of
dropping Harris. 1t entered his neck
at the right shoulder, and never was re-
moved. His pain and suffering from
the wound has been intense, but Harris
never faltered. When he was in Los
Angeles a few weeks ago, he had the
appearance Of a man 20 years old, when
fact be has scarcely passed the mark of
three-score.
1t was on the 18th OF last month that
Harris assisted United States Marshal
Gard in the arrest of the alleged Roscoe
train robbers, who are now awaiting
trial before the superior court. He was
an important witness in the case, which
will be tried on the 28th instant. His
failure to be present will be the source
OF much regret by the prosecution.
Harris has been terror to evil doors
for the last Is or 20 years, during which
time he has been connected with the
Southern Pacific Railway company con-
tinuslly. In the capacity or head detec-
tive OF that company on the Tucson di-
vision in the SOS, Harris made repu-
tation that will never be forgotten by
people OF the southwest. He was q CO.
worker with Detective John Thacker of
Wells, Fargo & Co., Will Smith OF the
Southern Pacific company, and j. V.
Brighto who is RESPONSE Ole for the Sec
ond capture of Chris Evans. These
men all worked together in Arizona 10
and 20 years ago, when stage and traia
robberies were az common as flies on a
bakery window doughnut.
When the notorious Clanton and Sol
omonville gangs of desperadoes, headed
by Cunningham, Olney and West. oper-
ated in Arizona, Len Harris was always
ready for them, and he aided greatly in
finally breaking up the gang. Some
were killed, some died natural deaths,
and many of them were sent to the ter.
ritorial prison. The stage and train
robbers operated extensively in those
days, covering the territory from the
Mexican border as far north as the At
lantic and Pacific railway.
Harris was instrumental in saving the
railways from many heavy loss by rob-
berry. and he was considered one of the
best officers ever in the employ OF a
railway company. But poor Len has
played in hard luck. First his younger
son was killed, and then another son
was killed; both by railway accidents.
Then he was shot by Evans, and now
sees his last fight on account of wound
from the revolver OF station robber.
CANNOT SURVIVE THE NIGHT.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 16.-Len Harris,
the Southern Pacific detective who was
shot by robber at Boulder Greek last
night. is not expected to live through
the night.
Harris was brought to Alameda this
morning, to the home of his son-in-lsw.
Ernest Msyrisch, jr. His age, 66 wears.
aud the fact that he is still suffering
from former wounds received at the
hands of train robbers, are much against
him.
ROBBERS NOT APPREHENDED.
SAN JOSE, May 16-Advices from
Boulder Greek are that the search for
the robbers who last night shot Detec-
tive Harris has been without success
Sheriff BollinRer and Deputy Shore OF
this county waited at the junction
OF the railway and highway ali
night, expecting the robbers to
walk to Alvipo, but cav nothing.
Then they joined Sheriff G 20 of Santa
Cruz, Detective Kelley and Constsb ls
GoBs at Long Bridge, and the entire
party went to Alviso to i.lterce pt the a.
m. train; but the robbers did not try to
take the train there, as had been ex-
pected from information received.
LATER-HARRIs Is DEAD.
SAN FRANCISCO, May I6.-Detectiye
Len Harris died shortly before midnight
from the effects Of the bullet wound re-
ceived in his encounter with the robber
at Boulder Creek last night.
Board of Trsde Rev.
CHICAGO, May 16.-There is a pros
pect that a number of gram spectators
ON the board OF trade may transfer their
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