The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-12
DESPERATE BURGLARS
They Rob and Try to Commit
a Murder.
MET By A BRAVE BUTLER.
Lively Scene in the Residence Of J. l.
Franklin.
SMALL AMOUNT OF BOOTY SECURED.
The Thieves Left Behind Evidence Sufficient
to Help tile Police in Their
Capture.
NALL AMOUNT OF BOOTY SECURED.

Owing to the unusual bravery of faith
full servant very extensive burglary was
averted in the residence at 1880 California
street on Thursday morning.
1t is the house Of julius L. Franklin of
the firm of Me- ger & Franklin. who have
offices in the Wells-Fsrgo building at the
corner of New Montgomery and Mission
streets.
The building that was but partially
burglariZed. one of the rooms of which
was the scene of such frightful strug-
gle, is situated on the north side of Cali
fornia street, between Broderick and
Baker. in quiet and fashionable quarter
of the city.
The desperate thieves numbered three.
and they we're stood off CALAMITY by
Frank j. Miller, the young butler of the
house, although he came very near losing
his life from the terrific beating that he
received.
Presuming that they would make big
haul, the burglars must have been disap-
pointed In securing only S25 in money,
which belon ged to the butler.
On the evening before the robbery Mr..
and Mrs. Franklin had gone to the Cali
fornia Theater to attend tha opera. and
Sam Solomon, their son-in-law, and his
wife. who also live at the house, had gone
to attend reception. This LETT at home
only Philip Franklin, q young son, and
the servants.
Philip and Miller say that they heard a
dog barking about $50 O'Clock in the rear
yard. AS 1t did not last very long they
paid nc particular attention to the matter.
Miller. who sleeps in the basement OF
the house. went out into the front garden
about II 80 O'Clock, after Mr.. and Mrs.
Fran Kiln had returned from the theater,
to look around before he retired, az ne
thought that be heard strange noises.
On hearing footsteps he called out,
"Wno's there?" but received no answer.
He thinks that the parties. whoever they
we're, jumped over the fence and con-
cealed themselves in the basement OF the
new building adjoining. Miller retired
and windows were fastened, but he was
aroused about 1 o'clock again by the
breaking of glass in the window of the
furnace-r oom, off the main basement, near
where he slept The burglar inserted his
hand through the hole and turned back
the latch aud craWled in. He had not
progressed far toward the main part OF
the building before Miller heard him and
arose, putting on part OF his attire almost
at the same time. He passed through a
hallway leading to the kitchen and opened
the back door.
AT this moment tall man who had been
standing beside the entrance spraDg upon
him, and struggle ensued. Although
Miller bad a pistol in his hand be was I'M
BILE to use it. The big burglar held him
with superhuman strength and forced MIN
back through the hallway and into his
bedroom. At this juncture another rob-
Der Joined his comrade, and together they
choked and beat the butler with all their
might, but the latter refused to surrender.
Both of his aasailants wore masks. The
weapon was held by Miller a S, firmly as he
could until his arms were pinfoned in such
a manner that he could not fire with any
accuracy. In the struggle Miller tore the
mask from the face Of the tall man. and
got an impression OF his face that would
enable him to recognize the individual if
he met him again. He seemed to be about
% years of age, had short muStache, and
a rough-looking face.
The unmasking made the villain furious.
and he yelled TO his pal: Lets kill
the
But the other would not consent, think
ing they could do more business without
committing murder.
A proposition was then made to Miller
to take them upstairs to the room of MIR.
Franklin. They said that they would not
harm him if he would do this, because
then they would get lots of stnff and
reward him for his pains. This was re-
that he had been but a short time in the
employ of Mr.. Franklin and did not know
much of the premises. He was afraid that
if he went upstairs The electric bells
would ring and start up the burglar-alarm.
The burglars told him that they would
not have any of that kind of work. and
threatened to kill him il be did not obey
them. On being again refused. they be-
gan to beat him again. They Knocked
MIN down and kicked him in the ADD omen,
sen ding him to the floor. The small man
pushed a handkerchief into his mouth.
The tall man then began to go through
the bureau drawers and got $50 In cash
frorG them.
In the meantime a third burglar came up
wnum the others greeted as Jim"
The three men then tackled Miller. who
all the time, 1t appears, held possession or
his revolver. In this scuff1a< the weapon
was discharged. The bullet. passing mar
one OF the burglars. went through tie
kitchen door and window, and was picked
up later by Detective Gibson in the pack
yard.
The shot and groans of the butler
aroused Mr.. franklin and his son-in-law,
Solomon, who rushed downstairs to find
poor Miller beaten into insensi billty..
The police were notified by telephone
and a patro-wagon went to the house.
Nothing was found. however, save the
mask which had been torn from the face
of one OF the men and piece of lead pipe
used for a club.
The names of Jack, Jim and Con may
assist the police in capturing the men,.
Detective Gibson arrested two men last
evening and took them before Miller for
Identification, but as they were not the
men he let them GO.
1t is pretty sure that the burglars will be
taken if they remain in the city.