The San Francisco call., 1897-12-26
DESPERATE,
HE FIRED
TO KILL
Adam Stroh, a Noto-
rious Burglar, Is
Captured.
In Trying to Escape He
Seriously Wounded
Baldwin Gardner.
Entered the House Of the Stock
broker on Geary Street
From the Roof.
HAD BEEN DISTURBED.
Police Jubilant Over the Capture of
Dangerous Crinninal-Gardner's
Statement.
Entered the House Of the Stock
broker on Geary Street
From the Roof.
HAD BEEN DISTURBED.
Police Jubilant Over the Capture of a
Dangerous Observation-Disclosures
Statement.

Caught in the act of entering a house
at the southeast corner of Geary and
Franklin streets, last night, Adam
Stroh, a desperate burglar, in endeav-
oring to effect his escape, shot Bald
win Gardner, an aged stock broker, in
the right shoulder.
Surprised while at work by the
housekeeper, Stroh climbed over sew
eral roofs, finally entering the house
of his victim, who lives at 1135 Geary
street.
The aged stockbroker asked him
what he wanted, when the desperate
man drew his revolver and fired.
The bullet struck Gardner in the
shoulder, making a serious wound. The
report of the pistol shot attracted the
attention of Detectives Dillon and
Crockett and Policemen Floyd and Ma
| her, who were chasing the fleeing
| burglar, and they at once entered the
house.
With their revolvers drawn the of
ficers searched every room, and were
about to abandon the hunt when
Crockett espied Stroh behind a por-
| there. On being commanded to throw
up his hands, the burglar evidently re-
alizing that he had been cornered, at
once surrendered. He was quickly
handcuffed and taken to the City
Prison.
Shortly after 9 o'clock last night
Chief Lees was notified that a burglar
was at work in the residence of
Charles Biers at Geary and Franklin
streets. Detectives Crockett, Tom
Gibson and Dillon were sent to the
hOnSp whore thau Ivara met hIr Od7oor.-
Floyd and Maher. Convinced that the
burglar was still in the house, the Off
GERS decided to surround it.
Floyd, Maher anu Dillon climbed to
the roof while Crockett entered the
house. Frank Murphy, the driver of
the patrol wagon, remained outside.
and with drawn revolver waited for
the burglar to appear. AS the officers
ascended to the roof they saw Stroh
concealed behind the chimney
Catching glimpse of Dillon, the
murderous burglar jumped to the ad-
Joining roof and attempted to escape.
The officers at once opened fire on him.
but failed to hit him. After running
over several roofs Stroh stopped when
he reached Gardner's house and start
ed to descend by climbing down a pill
lar in front of the house.
Gardner, who was in bed, thinking
that somebody was trying to force an
tigate. AS he opened the front door
Stroh was in the act of breaking into
the house
What are you doing here?" in
quired Gardner as he confronted the
burglar
Without offering a reply the house
breaker drew his revolver and fired
at his aged victim. AS he fell to the
floor StrOh quickly entered the house
and closed the door. BY this time
the officers, who were chasing him, had
reached the roof of the Gardner resi-
dence.
Realizing that the desperate man had
shot somebody who had attempted to
intercept him they descended to the
street and ran into the house Mrs
Gardner, trembling and excited. met
them and wanted to assist them in
capturing the assailant of her elderly
husband.
After thoroughly searching the front
parlor the officers, with their reVolvers
drawn, entered the room adjoining, fol-
lowed by Mrs. Gardner. Thinking he
would attempt to escape by the rear
door two of the officers were sent to
watch the back yard.
Just then Detective Crockett discov-
cred Stroh behind the portiere in the
back parlor. He offered no resistance.
and was promptly handcuffed. The
revolver which he used in shooting
down his helpless victim was not
found on him. 1t is thought he dis
posed of it Immediately after the
shooting.
AT midnight Gardner was in a SER
ious condition. The attending physi-
clan, on account of the advanced age
of the wounded man, is doubtful of his
recovery. The bullet entered the right
shoulder, passed downward, paralyz-
ing the right side.
Acting under the advice of his
friends, Gardner at an early hour this
morning made the following dying
statement:
I, Baldwin Gardner, aged SO years. re.
siding at 11S5 Geary street, fearing that
the wound | have received may prove ia
tai, make the following statement which
is correct, SO help me God:
This evening 1 heard some one crying
Pol1ce!' between 9 and $3.50. l got out
of bed, ran to the door of the back porch,
heard men on the roof; they said they
IyTt; We're officers looking for a robber. While
Here he isl Isl Here he I is' WitS HlsFtH f6af 0qS he
way He Jumped down, ran an te over r0n me
and into the house. When 1 hollered
Here. he is" at that time there was
has since been captured and brought in
to my room handcuffed by the officers I
positively identify as the man who shot
BALDWIN GARDNER.
Witnesses: William Fitch Cheney,
MD; Thomas B. Gibson.
Stroh, according to the police, is one
of the most dangerous burglars in the
country. Some time ago Policeman
Feeney saw him acting suspiciously on
Hermann and Valencia streets and he
ordered him to throw up his hands"
Stroh started to run away, and fail
ing to stop at the officers command,
the latter drew his revolver and fired
several shots at him. A Custom house
officer who recognized the desperate
criminal and who happened to be
walking along Valencia street also
joined in the chase, using his revolver
to stop the fleeing fugitive.
After at least fifteen shots were
fired at him he was finally overtaken
and locked up in the City Prison. Sub