The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-07-15
Officer Long Charged With
Attempted Blackmail
w. WYcHE, A FORMER cHUM
TELLS A LURID DIME NOVEL
TALE
Another Celestial Tries the Habeas
Corpus Route of Escape and
Fails-A Complicated Case

1t Is not at all improbable that the po-
lice commissioners will have, on Tues
day next, what in vulgar parlance is
known as picnic. Already it is
said that there is some little agitation
among certain members of the police
force, and it has stopped over, so to
speak, and touches at least one en-
ploye of the fire department.
The complaint that is to be formally
lodged with the board OF police commits,
sioners next Tuesday is to be made by
William Wyche, who resides at III Bu
ena Vista street, and who has taken UNI
bragg at what he denominates the
bIackmailing proclivities of Police Offic
er Miles Long. Since the old time days
when Long was janitor of the Bryson
block, and was, with friend, arrested
for making away with a litter of bull
pups for which he was held to answer III
the superior court, the case, however,
being allowed to drop when the matter
was arranged out of court, rumors of
various kinds have beer circulated
about him. Most of these, however,
and largely, as it is said, for the reason
that Chief Glass has stood his friend on
account Of good work he has done as an
officer. This time, however. if appear
ances are to be believed, an investiga-
ton is to be forced.
William Wyche, who is the complain
ant in the present case, Is piano mover
in the employ of one of the principal mu-
Ito do,
he visited the office of the district attor-
ney and poured out his tale of woe. He
asked for advice and he got it. Assist
ant District Attorney Williams advised
him to go before the board of police COM
missioners and tell the same story, so
that the matter might be Investigated.
The story itself is like page torn out
of dime novel, and is replete with Incl
dent. For about five years Wyche and
his wife lived in the same house with
Police Officer Long and his wife; and
about eighteen months ago a young girl
named Leona Johns, whose father was
sent to the penitentiary for incest with
her, was adopted by the Longs and 80
swelled the family circle.
Wyche and his wife separated about
eleven months ago, the latter going to
live with her mother, while the husband
remained at the old place on Buena Wis
ia street About a couple of months lat
er the Longs moved away, but on per-
fectly amicable terms with Wyche. On
May 18th Wyche received telephone
message from Leona Johns to the effect
that she must see him that evening, and
making an appointment at Maple av-
enue and Thirtieth street. Wyche kept
the appointment and was surprised to
learn from the girl that Long had told
her that he (Wyche) had made scandal
Gus remarks about her The girl had
doubted it, and wanted to hear what
light Wyche could throw upon the mat
ter Wyche treasured Leopa Johns that
he never had said aught detrimental to
her character and there the matter ap-
parently ended. That interview, unim-
portant in itself, has direct bearing on
subsequent events according to the mar
alton of Wyche, as told yesterday
ALLEGED BLACKMAIL
On June Goth Miles Long called upon
Wyche on Buena Vista street, and dur
ing the conversation incidentally asked
him If he was as lonesome as ever.
Wyche confessed that he had been lone
some since his wife left, and then Long
volunteered to Introduce him to nice,
Christian girl who had been working
with steadygoin family, who had
kept her very close. She was only 16
years DID, he said, and just the kind of
girl to make him forget his troubles.
On the following Tuesday night, about
9 o'clock, Wyche was reused out of bed
by Long on trivial excuse for calling,
and again the converse ton was brought
around to the mice, 16-year-old Chris
tian girl" Long said he would send the
girl around to Wyche at the store for
the ostensible purpose of having her
trunk moved, but really to afford an OPP
portunity for the two to come together.
Sure CROUCH a Gay or two later mod
erately young looking girl did turn up
at the music store and asked for Wyche.
She was several moons over the sixteen
year-old mark, however, and her Chris
tian character did not shine with any
particularly resplendant glow in her
face. She stated that Mr.. Long had sent
her around to arrange for having her
trunk moved, but that she would call
again the next day when she had defin-
itely determined upon the matter. Next
day-Saturday-sh again trotted in TO
say that she was not going to move un-
til the Monday, but she seized the oppor-
tunity TO converse with Wyche, and it is
natural to assume he was in no way
averse. While engaged in this cross fire
of small talk Wyche's wife passed by
and, after cycling the girl with one OF
those sweeping glances that ena BILE one
woman to take an inventory of another's
belongings from head to foot in the
twinkling of an eye, she motioned to, hel
husband.
Wyche felt embarrassed. He like
many other men in separating from
their wives, had not thought it we'll that
he should run around town and put al
the blame of the marital difficulties that
had existed upon his wife; nor view hei
as his bitter enemy because she failed
to find her happiness in living with him
As a matter of fact he was perfectly
friendly to her, and she to him, and
knowing the doubtful appearance of the
girl he had been conversng with, he
felt somewhat ashamed of his wife hav-
ing caught him. He followed his wife
across the street, however, and was
somewhat astonished at what she SAID
to him.
If you don't look after yourself" She
remarked, you'll get yourself into
trouble, and walk into trap"
Why, what do you mean?" inquired