The San Francisco call., 1897-06-03
GOLD-BRICK MEN
FIGHT FOR GOLD
"Rebel George" Robbed
of $500 by His
Partner.
RegainS Possession of the
Coin After a Desperate
Struggle.
Sangulnary Combat Between No.
torious Crooks In a Seattle
Lodging House.

SEATTLE, WASH, June o-The king
OF gold brick swindIers, Harvey Knowlton,
better known as Rebel George, a man
who IS famous in his line from the Allan
tic to the Pacific, was held up tonight
and robbed OF $500 in cash.
Anthony Mellon, his partner in crime,
stood behind q 44-caljber revolver and
made Knowlton stand and deliver. To Mel
Ion the enjoyment of possession was of
short duration, for Knowlton faced what
robber and dispossessed him of the
money.
II was done only after bloody fight,
during which three shots were fired. None
took effect, but Rebel George, after secur-
ing possession of the weapon, beat the
roboer into insensjbility, hammering Mel
lon over the head until he was covered
with blood.
The robbery occurred in the Albermarle
Lodging house, on Seneca street, where
hnowlton ana Mellon occupied the same
room. During the afternoon Mellon
packed his effects, announcing that he
was going 10 leave the city.
Instead be returned about o'clock and
walked into the room. Knowlion was in
bed sleeping soundly 81 the time, as he
had not closed his eyes for forty-eight
hours, having lost $1,000 sgainst the Union
Club faro bank at one sitting.
Mellon demands aroused him and he
spTang out OF bed, TO find that he was
covered with a revolver. Rebel George
yielded purse containing what money
he possessed, and IN addition q ''polk" OF
gold dust used in his brick swindling
schemes. Mellon left the room, bat as be
desc cended 3 stairway Leading into the
street knoWlion, cat-Iike, sprang down
upon him.
The struggle that ensued was a des-
perate one, especially as TO the possession
Of the revolver which the rohber carried
IN his right hand. Mellon fred one shot.
and then the weapon was wrssted nom
him.
knowlton tried his marksmanship, FIR
ing two shots. but with no better results.
putt end OF Lhe revolver, with better sue
cess. Mellon was beaten within an inch
OF his life and knowlton, after Eegsiniag
the money, returned to the room.
Meanwhile the police were being sum.
mOned. Both men were arrested and
lodged in jail.
Some days ago Knowlton and Mellon
fell in with burglar known as kid"
Wilson.
Wilson operates st HOUSEKEEPING with
woman whom he claims is his wife. She
dons male attire and Is said to be an ex-
pert in the line of burglary. Mellon fell
in love with her. He visited the woman
at her quarters Monday evening.
Wilson appeared upon the scene, and
Mellon got beating and, as he claimed,
was robbed of several hundred dollars and
thrown into the street. He suspected
knowlton, according 10 accusations m ade
BY him tonight during the robbery, Of
having been IMPLICATED with the woman
and Wilson in Monday nights affair. It
IS not probable that such was the case.
Anowlton Is remem bsed in the North
west in connection with the sale several
yeas ago OF spurious gold brick for 5000
10 Banker Wooding of Aberdeen in this
State. He fed to Tennessee. He was
arrested, brought bsck, tried, and con-
vicied in this city and sentenced TO two
years in the penitentiary. Nearly year
ago he completed his term and was lib
Grated.
Mellon IS likewise well remembered
hereabouts in connection with the jail E.
livery omplished by the notorious out
law Tom Blanck. The latter. after he had
by means Of q wooden pistol which he
carved out of s broomstick. forced the
laileT TO surrender the keys OF the prison
displayed his contempt for the man by
locking Mellon in his cell, denying him
the privilege accorded other prisoners OF
walking out 10 freedom.
BlAnck was some DAYS later shot down
while resisting the officers OF the Law who
went IN pursuit OF him.
MELONS right name is Anthony Kelley.
he formerly lived IN Denver and is an ex-
convict, having done seven years in the
Canyon City Penitentiary for larceny.