The San Francisco call., 1896-12-29
RAN OFF WITH A
BAG OF GOLD
A Tramp's Daring Robbery
in a Merchants
Office.
He Coolly Takes $425 From the
Counter and Effectually
Disappears
The Deed Committed While Stenog-
rapher's Back Was Turned to
the Robber.

One of the coolest and most successful
robberies OF the year was committed yes
terday afternoon on Battery street under
the eyes of many business men, and the
robber escaped without leaving solitary
clew to his hiding place.
1t was all over in the twinkling of an
eye; sack OF gold was gone. and that
was the end OF the daring act.
The victim is the Harry Unna Com
pany. wooden and willow ware merchants
at 1l3 Battery, which regrets the
loss of $425 in gold that was taken
from its Office in the presence of clerks,
typewriters, salesmen and the proprietors
themselves. The thief was to all appear
ances tramp seeking aims, but now that
he showed such cunning, coupled with
daring and apparently professional skill,
in helping himself to other peoples prop
erty, the mem bers of the Unna company
are convinced that "crook" ran afouI of
their establishment.
The hour when the crime was commit
ted was close to P. NJ, when the banks
close. Harry Unna, president of the COM
pany, had counted out $425 for deposit in
the Anglo Californian Bank and had put
the little sack of gold upon the office
counter beside the handbook and went
outside TO talk with retail dealer, then
purchasing goods. The coin was all pre-
pared for Sam Heyman, the secretary, to
take to the bank, but Mr.. Heyman was en-
gagged with another customer, and for that
reason delayed depositing it until the last
minute.
Meanwhile the tramp entered the Office
and asked for a meal ticket. He stood at
the counter evidently oblivious of the bag
of gold, and the typewriter went to the
rear office to get ticket.
This was the poor mans chance to make
division of riches, and right we'll did the
tramp rise to the occasion. While the
young lady's back was turned the gentle
man OF rest resolved promptly not to wait
for Salvation Army meal ticket. His
hand reached for that tempting bag with
the gold double eagles showing through
the cloth, and he walked out without say
ing "Good-day." He passed Mr. Unna
and actually brushed against Mr.. Hey
man as he saun tered toward the door with
the gold under his coat.
WHAT happened him. whether he walked,
ran or called hack, is equally doubtful
although at all events his actions did not
arouse suspicion, for nobody could be
found who noticed an excited tramp in the
wholesale district. The up-to-date son of
rest contented himself with vanishing.
Immediately aflerward the police were
notified and search was begun. The
ferry depots were blockaded and besides
detectives were detailed to patrol the
water front to look out for the robber, who
possibly might try to escape on some ship
leaving port. Another watch was put on
the Third and Townsend streets depot
and policemen on the street were given q
description of the fellow.
All that Harry Unna and his partner
could do was to say things about them
selves for having had anything to do with
men who begged meal tickets. The two
merchants came to the conclusion without
the assistance of argument, that they
were mistaken in the philanthropy, and
declared they would never more distribute
meal tickets to help either the worthy or
unworthy.
at was this way" said Mr.. Heyman.
"We have given men chance to earn a
meal and bed, and in that way shut off
the professional beggars who swarm about
this part Of the City. Whenever tramp
came in here looking for something, we
said: go downstairs and work for an hour
in the cellar, and then we will give you
ticket TO the Salvation Army shelter for
meal and bed.'
'.The tramps would be put at cleaning