The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-24
CAUGHT On THE FLY.
A Bold Burglar Run Down in
the Early Morning.
POLICE MAKE A QUICK CAPTURE.
A Sealer Loads Himself Down With
Fine Clothes but Il Immediately
Landed in Jail.

A very clever burglar went through
Kline & Rosenberg's store at the foot
Of Cherry street early yesterday morn
ing. but he was not clever enough 10
evade Patrolman BirdsalI, and that &C
counts for his presence IN a cell at the
city Jail He gives his name as James
White. and occupation a sealer. Chief
Rogers had no trouble in securing con-
fession, which simplifies matters materi-
ally. Officer Griffith also took a hand
in the capture. and deserves a share Of
the glory of running down a real live
burglar.
1t was a peculiar case. and shows con-
cluslvely that the vigilance displayed by
an officer on his beat always brings its
reward. officer Birdsall was passing
through the alley from Yesler avenue 10
Columbia street, between Front and
West, when he heard d noise and saw
some one drop to the ground from the
fire escape at the rear of the Kline &
Rosenberg building. He took after the
man, who proved 10 be well dressed. with
an cvercoat over his arm, fine new hat
on his head and a body that appeared
stuffed out like Humpty Dumpty.
The man did not try to get away when
the officer grabbed him by the coat collar,
ana walked along peaceably as far as Co
iumoia street Then he suddenly gave
Jerk that set him free and went flying
down Columbia street as fast as his legs
could carry him. BirdsaH gave chase and
the burglar found things SO warm that he
dropped the Overcoat Then he turned up
Railroad avenue and would not halt when
the officer commanded
out came BrdsaIFs big Colts revolver
and as he ran he sent a shot over the fly
ing mans head. This only served TO make
the fugitive run faster, so another shot
was fired The fusillade attracted the at
tentiOn Of officer Griffith who was on the
water front some distance north. He ran
In the direction of the noise as quickly a
possible and came very near having col
lision with Birdsalrs man. The result was
that the officer effected a capture and was
soon Joined by BirdsaH, who explained
matters.
At police headquarters the prisoner
gave his name as James White aged %
years. and occupation as that of "A sealer.
He was searched. and then the fun COM
menced. He had twelve brand new silk
shirts. worth on an average 81 each on
his person, one over the other, two pairs
OF trousers. a full set of new under
clothes and a new derby hat. In his
pocket was found s. 80 including 81
bill that Kline 4 Rosenberg identified as
theirs.
The case was turned over to Chief
Rogers in the morning. and IL was found
that White had gained entrance to the
store by climbing up the fire escape, and
then getting In through a window slight
~ mp. He had torn the band out
of his old hat when he exchanged. but
did not succeed in helping himself 10
any extent by that means He also piled
up lot of clothes In addition to those
he put on. and which were taken from
him at police headquarters. The evil
dence was so strong that White confessed
the job. and told how he got in He said
he had been In the city only two DAYS.
II was discovered that OF the s. 80 in
whites pocket $40 had been stolen
from the money drawer in the store.