The San Francisco call., 1898-07-31
CALLED THE MOST DANGEROUS OF CRIMINALS"
Big BiI|" Mason.

A hairs breadth of time in Mason's 1avor would have sent the bullet through the detectives brain. Then Followed desperate hand to hand struggle. Mason had sworn an oath as DIE as street car that never, never on this round globe would he be taken alive by any man in brass buttons and blue uniform. The robbers-all desper- ate devils, all powerful athletes, seeing Sing Sing and perhaps the electric chair yawning for them-fought like tigers. But the detectives were whole menagerie of wild beasts of strength > and ferocity. For a few minutes the situation was serious and desperate. The detectives, however, knew all the tricks, and landed blows where they would paralyze most men. Presently the robbers were hammered into req son. collared and handcuffed.
 It was one of the three great fights of the year-Dewey, Schley and the New York detectives-all for law and order. The bandits, whose hands are red With crime, were caged behind steel bars and under thick walls in the dun geons at police headquarters.
 They remained silent and sullen. They know exactly what to do and what to say; that is, when the time comes Until then you will get nothing from them.
 According to the detectives, these men are the most dangerous criminals of recent years. They would as soon shoot man as rob his house or Strangle his wife.
 Mason is a unique figure in the army or crime He occupies no second place. He Is general in chief. He fears noth- ing and ten years sentence in State prison is but a mornings incident in his calculations.
 At police headquarters, in the pri- vate office of Chief McClusky, the inn plements of their trade were displayed on table A child could have carried the entire arsenal of the murderous gang.
 A bit of iron no larger than ones lit- tie finger, and only foot long, is a Jimmy fer opening the strongest win dow. larger instrument, exactly like it, which man could hide up his sleeve, would force locked oaken bank door from its hinges.
 A pair of twisted drills of the finest Sheffield steel lay beside the jimmies and the pistols. The detective pointed to an old-fashioned bit brace, which never cost more than 40 cents. It was cheap, he said. but 1t did their work well.
 The drills were a different breed of. ducks. They were the highest-grade tools that experts have yet devised With these drills and the old bit brace Mason or any of his gang could bore hole in any bank safe.
 It was not roll of putty of the size of an egg and about as long that lay on the table, wrapped in paper, but 1t looked like putty.
 It was soft, pasty dynamite.
 Its enough to blow up a building said Detective Sergeant Sheridan, the custodian of the records of the office
 . 1.s. IL little finger of lady's kid glove, and the little finger with the paste inside 1t inserted in the hole drilled into the safe. will blow off the steel door, when exploded by a lighted fuse.
 The thieves understood their busi- ness. They were afraid of nothing, and 1t is a big thing for the country that they have been captured and eaged to await a long sentence to Sing Sing. The prison is hungry for the blood stained robbers"
 New facts in the history of Mason are coming to light daily since his re- cent arrest. His real name is Benja- min Lippy; he was born at Carondelet, near St. Louis. The gold fever took him to the Pacific Coast when young man, where he is credited with doing slick job or two in and around San Fran cisco. He made the acquaintance of train robbers and began a wild career
 OllSlIdlly Ilt W dS carthage painter and decorated many a coach for the old French families of Carondelet. Like many of the Western quick shooters he has a sickly look. which is increased by high cheekbones and a cadaverous appearance, but he is all muscle and the skin on his neck would make a valise.
 Captain McClusky said:
 T consider Bill Mason a menace to civilization when he is loose. The pub lie have no idea of his abilities as a robber and murderer. Notwithstanding what has been said he seldom works alone. No pal has dared to go back on him to any serious extent.
 Many fine residences along the At lantic coast, around Newport, Boston, Philadelphia and other cities, have been robbed by this chief of burglars. In nearly every prominent town agents work for him.
 Plans of houses are obtained, with details of the arrangement of the fur niture in the principal rooms. Hiding places and secret drawers for valuables are obtained through servants and oth- CTS having access to the premises. The habits of families are noted and visits made during the dinner or supper hour, but the ideal time for burglar is just before daylight, when sleep is supposed to be soundest.