The San Francisco call., 1899-03-05
.STROTHOFF'S
ASSA|LANTS
ARE ARRESTED
Ballard and Edwards
Neatly Bagged.
BOTH NOTORIOUS CROOKS
PLACED IN THE TANKS AT THE
CALIFORNIA STATION.
Detectives Gibson, Wren and McMa-
hon Cleverly Capture the Men
Who Held Up Sa-
loon Keeper.
BOTH NOTORIOUS CROOKS
PLACED IN THE TANKS AT THE
CALIFORNIA STATION.

Frank Ballard and Harry Edwards,
two clever crooks, who have been under
the eyes of the police for some time,
were arrested last evening and their
names placed on the small book at the
California-street police station. The
crime of which the men are supposed
to be guilty is the robbing of John
Strothoff, a saloon-keeper at As Third
street, on Sunday, February 26, and
Detectives Ed Gibson, Ed Wren and
George Mcmahon, who made the arrest,
have what they believe to be sufficient
evidence to secure a conviction.
Since the bold robbery number of
the detectives in the Police Department
have been in search of the guilty par
ties, but UP to the latter part of last
week they were unable to find any
clews to the identity of the criminals.
Through private information, the
source of which they will not divulge,
Gibson, Wren and McMahon recently
learned who the men were, and de-
scription of them was given to all the
officers on the police force.
The detectives We're not working on
the case last night particularly, but as
they were passing the corner of Kearny
and California streets about 10 o'clock
they saw Ballard and Edwards within
a stones throw of the police station
and it took but few moments to place
them behind the bars. They will De
transferred to the Central Police Sta
ton to-day, when charges Of robbery
will be placed against them.
Both of the men are well known to
the police Ballard has served a term
in San Quentin for burglary and Ed
wards, while he has never been con-
victed, has been suspected a number of
and hoId-ups. The Palace saloon on
Market street is a rendezvous of the
men, and this place has been watched
since it was learned that they were
mixed up in the robbery, but they have
avoided the saloon.
. The crime for which Edwards and
Ballard have been arrested was one of
the most atrocious jobs that has been
brought to the notice of the Police
Department in many day Between
12 and 1 o'clock Sunday morning two
men entered a saloon at 10 Third
street, conducted by John Strothoff,
and ordered some beer. Strothoff was
just about to close up, but as the Gus
toners were we'll dressed and appar
emily respectable, the proprietor served
them with the liquor He had just fin
ished counting his days receipts, and
had put the money in the safe, which
was still open.
After having their first drink the men
called for another, but as Strothoff was
anxious to close up he refused to serve
them the liquor.
He came from behind the counter in
tending to turn out the gas, and as he
passed the two men one of them
grabbed him from behind and pinioned
his arms, while the other pressed
handkerchief saturated with chloro-
form to his nostrils. The saloon-k keeper
was rendered unconscious in very few
moments The bold thieves then helped
themselves to the contents of the safe.
Altogether they secured $96 in money
and a diamond pin When Strothoff re-
gained consciousness several hours
later he was seated in a chair in the
barroom.
The detectives are absolutely certain
that they have the right men. Ballard
was wanted by the police four months
ago, he being implicated in the robbery
of Alex Bromell, a wealthy Klondiker,
John Erickson and Maud Smith, who
assisted Ballard in this job, are
now serving eight years in San Quen-
tin.