The San Francisco call., 1897-08-24
BURGLARS ARE
IN The Tolls
Three Ex- Convicts Cleverly
Captured in the West
ern Addition.
They Entered G. W. Wilkinson's
House on Baker Street, Near
Washington.
A Sergeant and Two Policemen Who
Were Watching Them Pursued and
Arrested Them.

Several daylight burglaries have re-
Gently been committed in the Western
Addition, and the police on the beats were
specially instructed to keep sharp look
ont for sus picious character.
Yesterday afternoon Policemen j. f.
Welsn and C. NJ. Barnes notified Sergeant
Christensen that three esuspicious-looking 6
characters were lettering in the height bor-
hood of Baker and Washington streets.
Welsh recognized one as John Courtney,
an ex-convict, from the fact that he ar
rested him at the Chutes two or three
weeks ago for stealing a diamond pin.
The pin was recovered and the owner re-
fused to prosecute.
The sergeant and two officers deter
mined to watch the actions OF the trio,
and it was not long before they stopped in
front of the residence of c. W. Wilkinson,
2016 Baker street.
Two of them remained on the sidewalk
and the third walked up the steps and
rang the bell. Receiving no answer he
went TO the basement door and prled it
open with Jimmy"
Welsh and Barnes stationed themselves
at each corner Of the block ard Sergeant
Christensen hurried to where the burg
lars were operating. As soon as the two
on the sidewalk noticed him one of Them
threw a chisel at the basement door,
nal, and the one inside the house rushed
out. The three dashed along Baker street
pursued by the three officers. and after an
exciting chase of nearly three blocks they
were overtaken and the handouts were
soon on their wrists.
They were taken to the OFarrell-street
station and searched. file, a jimmy, a
"a oil ha nj a.
ments of professional burglar, were
found in their possession. A charge OF
burglary was entered against them and
they were sent to the City Prison.
They gave The names of Frank Howard.
John Courtney and James Wilson, and
Detectives Balm bridge and Gi bson identi-
ned them as ey- -convicts Howard, whose
real name is Kearns. has only been about
ten days at liberty. Courtney was impli-
Gated in the robbery OF the jewelry-store
on ] street, Sacramento, TWO years ago
| next month.
Mr.. Wilkinson and his family were ab-
sent from the house at the time OF the
| burglary, but fortunately Wilson, who
| was the one that went inside, did not
| booty.
Owing to the past history of the three
| their capture has given the department
much satisfaction.
According to the police records Wilson's
name is James Wilson, better known as
Tug" Wilson. May s. 1889, he was ar
rested for murder and Fe bruary 1, $780, he
was sentenced to seven years in San Quen-
| Tin for manslaughter. July c6, 1885, he
got two years Tor an assault with deadly
| weapon.
Frank Hearn, alias Hall, alias Howard,
| was sentenced on January 81 1898. to five
years in San Quentin for burglary, and
on March Is, this year, he got SIX months
in the County Jail Tor having burglars
tools in his possession.
James Courtley, alias John Courtney,
on April Is. 1891, was given nine months
for an attempt at srand larceny, and sew
e-al times since then he has been arrest ed
for grand larceny, but always escaped con-
viction.
Wilson is. according to the police. a
| dangerous character. About two weeks
ago he went into Keating's saloon on
Grant avenue, pulled out a revolver and
snapped 1t three times at the bartender.
Fortunately for the bartender the car
tridges failed to explode.