The San Francisco call., 1896-02-25
De TECTEO BY A BULLET.
Smart Capture of a Highway
Robber Who Hid in a
Roof.
POSED AS A WEARY TRAMP.
Held Up Two San Leandro Men and
Proves to Be a Well.Known
Criminal.
POSED AS A WEARY TRAMP.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL,

OhAbh-ND OrFlSE JAN L hANClSCo SalE,t
90S Broadway, Feb. a.
A bitten bullet found by bedside in q
county-road cabin led to the arrest of John
Greenbank, one of the coolest of robbers
who has ever been safely lodged in the
County Jail.
Greenbank carries on the body six bullet
wounds and has record of which any
criminal might be proud. He possesses
an iron nerve, and the ruse he practiced to
enable him to successfully carry out his
last robbery shows that he is not lacking
in resources.
Last Friday night G. w. Hamilton and
James Snyder, two well-known residents
OF San Leandro, started for Stockton in a
one-horse rig. AS they were proceeding
along the Castro Valley they overlook a
ragged-looking fellow tramping along the
road. He asked them to give him a ride
as his feet were sore. They replied that it
would be too big load for one horse, but
the tramp again referred to his crippled
feet and the two travellers took him in.
After going about 200 yards the tramp
jumped to his feet, pointed gun at Ham
1lton and held big club over Snyder 8
head, threatening either with death if he
refused to do as he told him. He ordered
the men out OF the wagon and made Ham
lIton take off his shoes. AS they fitted the
tramp with care he put his feet into them,
all the time keeping the men covered with
| his gun. The robber then told the men to
give him their guns but only Hamilton
had one. and that was handed over. While
the holding up process was going on dog
came to the scene, and as it showed dis
position to bark the robber ended his life
with shot. The robber then secured
81 so from Hamilton and 81 so from Sny-
der, after which he ordered them to get
back into their rig. Standing behind
them, with his gun in his hand, the des-
perado ordered the two men to drive him
two miles toward the San Leandro broad
gauge station. Then he jumped out, and
as he disappeared in the darkness he said
III you ever speak of this III hunt you up
and fill you full of lead"
The two men came into San Leandro and
getting together the Marshal and several
friends they all armed and started in pur-
suit OF the robbers. They searched all night,
but did not find clew. In the morning
| Constable Weldon of Oakland Township
was told OF the robbery and he started on
still hunt. AT a cabin near Damon
feedstore he learned that tramp answer
ing the description had slept the previous
night. On looking over the floor Weldon
picked up bitten bullet and took 1t along
with him. He tracked the man to several
places, andIfnally learned he had last been
! seen entering Jacksons old halfway
house. Weldon entered and was told that
no such man as the tramp was there
| While talking Weldon heard the plaster.
| ing overhead crack. He said he must
| search the house, and with his gun in his
hand he began to look for the robber. In
rear room he saw an opening into the
upper half story. He ascended the ladder
and satisfied himself that a man was ur
there. Weldon demanded that the man
come down, but he received no answer
| The Constable then fired a shot into the
! roof.
This brought the man TO time and he
came down, and Weldon placed him under
arrest. AT the County Jail he was posi-
! lively identified by Hamilton, and when
| searched Hamilton's gun was found on
him. Weldon produced the bullet that
had been bitten, and Hamilton at once
pronounced it the same bullet that he had
bitten so that it would fit into his gun. On
examining the weapon one bullet was
missing. This rendered the evidence OF
guilt conclusive, and the man, who gave
the name OF John Green bank, was charged
with highway robbery.
| The prisoner was identified as one of the
| bay pirates that com mitted SO many depre-
dations short time ago. His companions
were convicted, but Greenbank escaped
He says he received his wounds in q
shooting scrape that grew out Of gam.
bling affair.