The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-08
4 BOLD CROOK LANDED,
The Career of a Confederate
Bill Operator Brought to
a Close.
CAUGHT BY A WOMAN VICTIM
She Recognized Him on the Street
and Held Him Till an Officer
Came.

W. II. hdll, VINO mas been VlctlmZ1ng
clearinghouse keepers for some time
past, was caught on Friday night, not by
the police who have been looking for him
for some two months, but by plucky lit
tie woman whom he had recently
swindled out of 81. She was pass
ing along Mission street when she
saw him, and, without giving him the
chance TO escape, she jumped at him,
caught him by the coat, and, despite his
efforts to get away and the fact that he
dragged her half block, she managed to
hold on to him until she was relieved of
her charge by police officer, who hap
pened to be in the right place just at the
right time.
For some time past Chief Crowley has
been besieged by visits from boarding
house keepers who have come to him to
tell him how they have been swindled by
man who had come to them, in turn
presumably, for the purpose of renting one
oftheir rooms. In every case he would
select one, the rental of which would
amount to So. He would offer to settle for
the room for one week IN advance, and
then tender in payment Confederate
$40 bill
HIS unsuspectlng victims, pleased at the
prospect of boarder so prompt in the set
tIement of his board, invariable returned
him SIS in change. The prospective guest
then took his departure, never to return.
Up to the present time Chief Crowley
has recorded the names of ten people who
have been swindled in this way and who
have reported the facts TO him. AS the
work OF this man in every case reported
has been attended by easy success. the
number of those whom he has victimized
and who have kept the matter to them
selves can only be surmised.
Some time ago, at Chief Crowley's re-
quest, a warning notice of the doings of
this impostor was given through the col
umns of this paper. The description of
the man given by those whom he had
swindled invariably tailed, and there was
no uncertainty as to his identity.
Last Wednesday Mrs. ]. Greer, who keeps
a clearinghouse at 321 Minna street, re
ceiyed a call from man who said he was
In search OF a room. He found one that
suited him at 81 week and handed Mrs.
Greer $40 Confederate bill in payment for
the first week board.
Mrs. Greer unsuspectingly gave him the
change. He then told her that if she
could lend him little change he would be
obliged, as he should like to get his laun-
dry, for which he needed 80 cents. This
| was willingly lent him, and then he went
| his way. That was the last heard of him
at that time. 1t took Mrs. Greer but a
| short time to discover how she had been
| duped. She says that she determined not
| to report the matter to the police, but to
! herself made a solemn VOW that she would
! catch her victimizer if he was to be found,
and Friday night she fulfilled that VOW.
Mrs. Greer left her home that evening
with her sister and her little boy for the
purpose of visiting a friend. When she
reached the corner of Mission and Third
streets she was startled by seeing her faith
less guest leaning against lamppost.
She did not scream when she saw him
first, as some other women might have
done under the circumstances, but she
waited until she had both sides of the
front of his coat fairly within her grasp,
and then she opened her mouth and
screamed "Police" so loudly that there
was no mlstaking what was the matter.
In his efforts to break away her victim
tore her hands very badly, attempted to
strike her and dragged her half block,
but Sergeant Christensen, who happened
to be passing, jumped to her rescue and
it was all over.
At the Southern station the prisoner gave
his name as William Thomas and said
the charges against him were without
foundation.
AS three $40 Confederate notes were
found on him, together with the key to
Mrs. Greer's room. which had been given
him on the day he engaged it, there was
no doubt as to his identity.
He was removed to the City Hall .yester-
day, where he was identified by Mrs. w.
Tobin, who keeps boarding-hous at 446
Tehama street, and who had been victim
lied to the extent of So by the prisoner.
Halls identity was finally discovered by
means of letter found on him, and which
furnished the police with the information
that the prisoner had been, up to April
last, mem Der of Battery K OF the Fifth
Artillery, which is stationed at the Pre-
sidio.
Just prior to Halls desertion his brother
John Hall, who was attached to the same
battery, deserted, and the police, who are
inclined to thing he had been assisting his
brother in his crooked work, are on the
lookout for him.
AS there are ten com plants to be brought
against Hall, ii is believed by the police
that his transitory career will be cut short
and that permanent accommodations for
him will be found at San Quentin.