The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-01-06
SANTA CLAUS ARRESTED.
How Inspector Shea Caught the Old
Man Early Christmas Morning.

Inspector John y. Shea. chief OF detec-
tives IS probably the only man in the
world who ever arrested Santa Claus.
He was then young detective. with a
reputation 10 make. II was Christmas
eve. or. to Doe more exact. it was o'clock
Christmas morning. The young detec live
had been on duty until 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 old man with long gray beard.
trudging along on the other side. on his
back was a bag commonly known as q
sunny sack The detective walked rap
idly, crossed To the other side and over
took the aged man. Then he saw what
seemed 10 be n genuine Santa Claus. on
his head was a little FUR cap, his long coat
was trimmed with fur ard was buttoned
NJ close under his chin. His features
We're completely hidden b. his big white
beard.
As Detective Shea came up with him.
the old man said.
Merry Chrstmas"'
"Aln't you out pretty Iate?" asked the
detective, in anything but friendly
voice.
he drew a card from his pocket and hand
ed il 10 his questioner. Detective Shea
glanced al g. and saw that it, contained
the name OF prominent citizen whom
he knew very well by reputation, but had
never seen.
well. where are You going with that
bag at this time of night"
81 am going down to play Santa Claus
for my little nephews and neces. l didn't
ha a
streets In this neighborhood TO see me in
these ridiculous clothes"
Then he opened the sack and showed q
number Of childrens toys and little deco
rauons for "A Christmas tree. Detective
Shea, who had been suspicious at first
began 10 weaken. Here was wealthy
citizen indulging in a little Christmas fun,
and here was o. young detective asking
MIN all sorts Of questions and thinking
seriously Of placing him under arrest on
suspicion He thought he had better be
a little careful. Then the Santa Claus
said:
and now. sir. who are you?"
81 am police officer" said the detec-
tive, showing his star.
81 thought as much; that is why I an
swered your questions" said Santa Claus.
well, sir. I will bid you good night.
and again wish you a 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 fall 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 II to
the man himself, while the later was max
ing a desperate effort to escape.
The next morning the real wealthy citi-
zen called at detective headquarters to
report that his house had been robbed
and several thousands Of dollars worth
of valuable iewelry. as well as all the
Christmas presents had been stolen. He
was overjoyed to find everything at the
station. He had been playing Santa Claus
for the children on Christmas eve ana
had left his disguise lying by the Christ
mas tree. The burglar a daring fellow.
thought the best way TO escape with the
valuable presents was 70 put them in
sack and pretend TO be a Santa Claus. II
he had made his false beard secure he
might have escaped detection.