The herald., 1895-08-10
ARRESTED another THIEF
Los Angeles Crooks Come to
Grief
DENVER BOY TELLS A STORY
Rev, Edwin G. Wheeler Well Known in
Santa Monica
His Nephew Receives News Of his Death
DENVER BOY TELLS A STORY
His Nephew Receives News Of his Death
Through The Misunderstanding Of
the Great Evangeiist's Life

SANTA MONICA, August 9.-George
Benning, wanted IN Los Angeles by De-
tective Steele for the alleged theft OF
saddle IRON man on Temple street, was
arrested by City Marshal Dexter this
morning after a chase of nearly mile,
in which half hundred citizens Joined.
Benning is the third memb of gang
of petty thieves which, it is said, has
been robbing patrons OF the bath houses.
The two other members of the gang, who
were arrested Wednesday morning, are
William Alexander, a colored boy, and
Harry Erwin. Henry Cook was also ar
rested and held as a witness. For several
days there had been complaints of petty
robberies at the bath houses, and on
Wednesday City Marshal Dexter sent two
officers to the bath house for the purpose
Of catching the thieves. One of the Off
GERS, it is asserted, watched Erwin two
hours before placing HIM under arrest.
and saw him enter several dressing rooms
by means of a skeleton key. Hhen the
officer attempted to arrest him he made
some resistance. and when searched
silver watch belonging to boy named
CLARK was found in his possession. The
officers arrested Alexander little later,
and also Cook. Cook confessed to being
identified with the gang, and told pc
culIar story. He said he had wealthy
relatives in Denver and had come to the
Pacific coast about two weeks ago. Out
of money, he drifted to Santa Monica,
and fell in with Alexander and Erwin on
the beach. Being unused ITO salt water
q hnf in ~ n W.
afflicted with salt water poison, which
caused the flesh to peel off his body. He
was in terrible condition and could not
walk. He could not get off the beach and
would have starved to death had not AL
eXander and Erwin taken compassion on
him. They worked the dressing rooms
in the bath house. and with the money
they stole purchased food for Cook. The
watches they gave to him to secrete.
Cook slept on the sand for several nights,
and the boys got medicine for him.
Marshal Dexter telegraphed to Denver
and learned that the boy had spoken the
TRUTH and that money had been sent to
him to 80 home.
Trail of the Sneakthief
Meantime Comrade Whittier of San
veterans encampment. was robbed of his
watch and suspenders and a small sum
of money. The watch was found in Alex
ander's possession. and it was also learned
today that he was q companion OF Ben
ming, and, it is SAID, was with him when
he stole the saddle in Los Angeles. The
three men were examined before Justice
Barrackman this morning and held Tor
trial.
r. E. Hills, the nephew of Rev. Ed
win q. Wheeler, who was killed IN the
wreck of the Santa Fe overland train at
puluerque at 40 O'Clock this morning.
Mr.. Hills was on thirty day vacation
and came from San Francisco. He was
going to Santa Ana to visit friends, but
stopped here to VISIT the veterans en-
cam pment. He did not read the morn
ing papers until late last night. when he
picked up a copy of The Herald in the
Arcadia hotel and read of his uncles
death. 1t was crushing news, as Wheeler
was his nearest relative and he had lived
with him for many years. Hills tele-
graphed to the railroad officials at Albu
querque and received confirmation of
the news. The dead man was one of the
best known preachers on the coast. Ten
years ago he was appointed to take charge
of the Baptist missionary work on the
Pacific coast, and for the last three years
had charge OF the gospel car Emmanuel.
This car was carried over the railroads
aud left on side tarcks at stations. 1t was
fitted up like public hall and religious
services were held in it. Rev. Wheeler
invested a great deal OF money IN the car
and devoted his lie to the work. The car
was sent to the repair shops i'll San Fran
cisco and Rev. Wheeler left Sacramento
Monday night with his wife to visit ter
mother in Winona. Minn. From Winona
they were going TO Philadelphia. where
NJ to
with other gospel car workers and was to
return to San Francisco to take the car
over the San LUIS Obispo road Septem ber
o. Mrs. Wheeler was severely injured in
the wreck and will be taken to Winona
with the body of her husband. The