The San Francisco call., 1897-12-13
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Lieutenant Birdsall, who has also had
many years OF experience with the crimi-
nal element, declared his belief that a
man wouli iare better to fight back than
to permit himself to be robbed.
III | were armed" SAID the lieutenant
Il would have no hesitancy whatever in
using my revolver, and l would shoot TO
Kill. Any man Is perfectly justified in
killing such criminal. II the citizen has
no weapon, quick and hard blow in the
face will so disconcert his assailant that
he will have ample time to follow up his
advantage before the other can think of
using hIs own weapon. No, think few
tootpads are desperate enough to wan
tOnIY slay another man, and If their
quarry is plucky enough to give them bat
lie they will think only OF escaping"
Several OF the patrolmen expresse d
views similar TO those of their superiors,
while statements from a number of citi-
zens on what they would do if held up by
a footpad are given below.
a. 7. Johnson, miner from Sonora-If
/ had any valuables on me and had any
kind of a chance | would not give up I'd
take chances with any footpad if he
didn't have the drop on me and | would
use all precautions to see that he didn't
get the drop on me either.
Colonel J. 5. Young of the Russ House
Ii l had half a chance l would not give
up to any footpad. OF course if he took
me unawares l suppose l would have to
yield, but l would watch my chance aud
if he gave me an opening l would go hlm
q rattle anyway. When l go out late at
night l am always on the lookout for
footpads, and II L saw one OF them aD-
preaching me l would take care that he
did not get the drop on me. A fellow
tried to rob me one time in Montana. II
was a pitchdark night and he hit me a
! blow in the face that staggered me, but
J did kuOCE | Al
and gave him beating which ne did not
| get over for many weeks. He never tried
TO rob another man in that town.
! d. r. Mcneil, manager of the Central
| Park grounds, was busily engaged in
| counting stacks OF silver when asked what
he would do If held up by footpads. "If
| had the amount now before me-" he
answered pleasantly. Il would fight
! Fight2 Yes, In the interest OF charity" 4"
Captain George Webb, County Jail
| Throw up nothing. Show fight and if the
footpad can get away In safety he wall run
every time. This class of vagabonds gem
erallv select half-drunken man for their
victim, and if they can bluff him into Civ
up all we'll and good. They are a mean,
cowardly lot OF sneak-thieVes. They
should get lie in San Quentin.
Walter Malloy, Comm ssary of the
County jail would DO just as the Chic
| ana Captain Webb says-puuch him good
police They are towards every one anC
will not shoot If they can run.
Jack TyreH, Deputy Coroner-I wouIo
disgust hIm by giving him all l had. Thi.
| would make him so ashamed of his pro
! fession that he would give the business VI
and follow an honest livelihood.
! g, w. Rled, grocer, 545 WASHINGTON
street-Give up nothing, tigai first. The
class OF men who do the holding-up bust
ness are mean cowarGs, who take ad
| vantage Of drunken men with pistol IL
tneir hand. They should be sent to prisoI
for life.
Phil Ryan, saloon-keeper, S2S Howard
street-Catch him by the scruff of the
neck and throw him into a sewer They
are contemplate towards who will, with
pistol in one hand and the other ready
to grab, take an advantage of q lonely
man in the darkness OF the night.
John Condor, saloon-keeper, 120 Grove
| street-Jump in on him aud proceed e
punish him as he deserves, don't be afraic
OF him or his pistol. He is coward of the
first water and will run every time.