The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-02-28
POKER AND
DOG RACES
HIS RUIN
Arrest Of an Abscond-
ing Collector in
Sacramento.
Dan Lynch Reaches the
End Of His Career
as a Sport"
Charged With Stealing Four
teen Hundred Dollars From
His Employers.
LONG AND EXCITING CHASE
Admitted His Guilt to the Detectives
When Taken Into
Custody.
Charged With Stealing Four
teen Hundred Dollars From
His Employers.
LONG AND EXCITING CHASE
Admitted His Guilt to the Detectives
When Taken Into
Custody.

Dan Lynch, who Is wanted In this
city for grand larceny, was arrested in
Sacramento yesterday morning by De-
tectives Tom Gibson and Ellis and
Chief Dwyer of the capital city police
force. He was brought back last night
and locked up in the City Prison.
Lynch was assistant bookkeeper and
collector for Lewis, Anderson & Co.,
shipchandlers on East street, near Mar
ket. About four weeks ago, it is
claimed, he broke into the safe of the
company and stole $500. The crime was
discovered a short time afterward and
the police notified
Detectives Gibson and Ellis were de-
tailed to arrest him, and by dint of in
quiry they learned that the absconding
bookkeeper had gone to San Jose.
The police of the Garden City were
notified, but before they had a chance
to arrest him Lynch left, going to
Lathrop. From the latter place he
went to Sacramento, where he was To-
Gated by Gibson and Ellis.
Lynch made complete confession to
the detectives. He attributed his
downfall to poker and dog races. Some
time ago. he said, he collected $500 be-
longing to the firm, and as it was after
banking hours he concluded to take the
money home. On the way he visited a
saloon where a game of poker was in
progress, and at the invitation of one
of the players he called for hand. In
a short time he had lost all the money
he had, including the amount which he
had collected. Fearing exposure and
subsequent disgrace Lynch, according
to his own statement, periodically
robbed his employers. The money he
stole he played against the dog races
in the hope of recouping his losses. He
intended in case he made winning of
several hundred dollars to replace the
amount he had stolen from the COM
pany. AS i'll luck continued to follow
him, Lynch, becoming desperate, re-
turned to the store one night after it
had been closed and proceeded to open
the safe. Fooled in his attempt to I'M
lock the inner drawer in which was
stored the money of the firm, he broke
1t open 18th Ratchet He took $500 in
greenbacks, but overlooked a roll of
crisp bills amounting to $4,000 The fol-
lowing day Lynch went to San Jose,
where he slept in a barn for several
nights, as he feared being arrested if
he appeared on the streets. Evidently
concluding that the police had aban-
doned their search for him Lynch
emerged from his hiding place and pro-
ceeded to have a good time" as he ex-
pressed it. In short time he had
squandered his Ill gotten gains, and,
being penniless, he boarded a freight
train and went to Lathrop and thence
to Sacramento.
A short time after the commission Of
the crime Lewis, Anderson & Co. had
an expert examine the books Of their
former collector. with the result that
a shortage of $1,000 was discovered
Lynch confessed to taking the money
and claimed to have lost 1t at the dog
races. 1t is likely that other charges
will be placed against him to-day.