The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-19
ROBBERS BESIEGE A HOUSE
MRS. HAWLEY'S HOME ON BUENA
VISTA AVENUE ATTACKED
FOUR TIMES.
The BURGLARS LEFT A MASK AND
CLUB WHEN SHE DROVE
THEM AWAY.

The police are puzzled over series of
attempted burglaries in the house of Mrs
Elizabeth Hawley, at the junction of
Haight street and Buena Vista avenue
Some burglars, whose daring borders on
a reckless disregard for consequences and
shows them to be desperate characters,
have literally besieged the house After
being driven away on different nights by
the plucky lady they persisted in return
ing, and at last it became necessary to
have protection in the shape of detectives
in her home.
But SO far the detectives have been IN
able to catch a glimpse of the midnight
marauders, who have almost succeeded in
driving Mrs. Hawley into a fit of nervous
illness. The house is so situated that peo-
pie entering either the back or front door
can be seen from Buena Vista Park, where
the watcher would be safe in the dense
foliage from observation. 1t is believed
that the movements of policemen and de-
tectlyes were watched from that vantage
ground, and when the burglars knew that
men were in the house they wisely kept
away.
Still, a diligent investigation is going on,
and should the robbers make another at
tempt they will be given a warm reception.
The reason for the repeated attempts to
rob Mrs. Hawley's house is easily under
stood. Mrs. Hawley has many very fine
diamonds and quite a collection of Jewels
and iewelry. Besides, she possesses a
pressful of silver plate. Her husband
went to Salt Lake CITY about two weeks
ago, since when she has been alone with
her young sister, Miss Belle NeYhall of
San Jose. The burglars appear TO be well
aware of the unprotected condition of these
two ladies, for it was not till after Mr..
Hawley went away that the house was as
sailed.
1t so happened, however, that the locks
were good and strong, and after the first
attempt of the criminals TO break into her
house Mrs, Hawley was on the alert day
and night. Her watchfulness and pluck
combined saved her from robbery and per-
haps from personal violence at the hands
OF one of the vicious gang.
Subsequent events proved that the bur-
glars did not intend to stop at ANYTHING
not even murder-in their greed for booty.
These developments came with the rout of
the robbers Friday night, when they left
an iron club behind with a mask and
some tools used by burglars. The fact
the burglar was armed with a murderous
weapon convinced the detectives that Mrs.
Hawley was the object of the robbers per-
sistent visits, and that she would not
have received any quarter at their hands.
That brave lady does not imagine for a
moment that she acted the part of a
heroine in guarding her home. She
laughed as she told about her expert
ences in the midnight hours while she
kept a lonely vigil in the dark.
81 know 1t was my diamonds they were
after" said she, showing a pretty little
hand, ablaze with brilliants. 'tAnd the
detectives who came here told me they
had no doubt but that that iron club was
for me in case there should be any trouble.
T11 10
now, while l have my pistol ready. I'd
give him reception he never dreamed Of
Just two weeks ago my husband went
to Salt Lake City on business, leaving me
alone in the house except for a servant.
Then my sister, Miss Newhall, came from
San Jose to keep me company. A week
ago last Wednesday an attempt was made
to rob the house. The burglars tried to
get in through the front door, but were
scared away by somebody on the street.
They did not come back that night Two
nights later they got in by the outside
back door and were in the basement. 1t
was then they opened the lock Dy cutting
away at the door. They found the door
leading to the kitchen locked and bolted
against them from the inside, and 1 sup
pose they were afraid to smash it in be-
cause the noise would awaken u.s. We
found their marks in the morning, and a
lock pick and candle.
FRIDAY night they tried to get into the
house when | was watching. I had pur-
posely turned the gas off early, and about
midnight heard them at the door. They
worked away for half an hour, and I crept
to the door inside. Just as thew opened it
| called, Who's there?' and grabbed the
handle to pull the door open. This fright
ened them and they pulled against me
and then ran away. I went outside and
found mask cut out of burlap bag, an
iron club with handle and wire bent to
pick the locks. Since that night l carry
pistol around the house, so as to be ready
should they come back"
Mrs. Hawley belongs to wealthy San
Jose family and has a great many friends
here and in the Santa Clara Valley. Sheis
greatly annoyed that her luxurious home
should be the mark of malicious robbers.