Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-10-30
CORNERS A BURGLAR.
Officer Henry Baker Makes a
Clever Early Morning
Catch.
WATCHES him EMPTY A TILL

Walks In Upon Him at McElroy's Saloon and
Covers Him With a Revolver He is
Gathering Up His Plunder-Other Jobs
Attributed to the Captive, Who Says He
IL Charles Jones. of Freeport.
Charles Jones. professional burglar,
was emptying the till at James NOEL
rows saloon, 1886 Fifth avenue, at
O'Clock this morning, when he was
unexpectedly disturbed by approach
ing footsteps, and raising his eyes,
looked squarely into the barrel of Off
Ger Henry Bakers 6-shooter. Jones,
at the command of the policeman,
threw up his hands. and marched out
of the building with the meekness of
a lamb, and was taken to headquar-
tiers, where later in the day he waived
examination to a charge of burglary
and was bound over to the grand Jury
by Magistrate j. T. Stafford in 500
bonds.
Officer Baker has been highly
commended for his clever catch, for
Jones, or whatever his name might
be, is believed to be the same individ-
ual who burglarized the homes early
VI aim DlCdSOCs
2742 Sixth avenue and H. G. Pratt,
2S04 Sixth avenue. Officer Baker was
patrolliRg his beat, when he was at
tracted by noise in McEIroy's sa-
loon. He knew o'clock was an I'M
usually early hour for opening up
there, and suspected something was
wrong. Going to the rear he found a
window raised. Securing a lantern
from George Banker, who was hitching
up team in stable near by,
he tiptoed it into the saloon. The
door leading from the back room to
the barroom proper was open, and
upon investigation was found to have
been pried. the crowbar. with which
the work was done, lying on the floor.
Going further the officer took a peep
into the barroom. Jones was stand
ing behind the bar gathering the
money from the till. which he had
pulled out. When he faced the re-
volver Jones smiled and said he
guessed the officer had him right.
Jones had filled his pockets with CT
CARS. 1t is thought he first attempted
to enter the McElroy residence, which
is in the same yard with the saloon.
The burglar states that his home is
in Freeport, Ill. He is about 40 years
of age and was we'll dressed. He wore
a new overcoat and had in his posses
sion a new pair of gold eye glasses.
Articles of that descriptio are mis-
sing from Davenport homes, that
were burglarized Saturday night, and
Jones probably did those jobs as well
as those committed in Rock Island
Sunday morning.
other Places Visited.
At Bledsoe's home three pairs OF
shoes and a diamond ring were taken.
Mr.. Bledsoe is a railroad man and re-
turned home about ! a. m. The rob-
Der entered :he front door, which MIR.
Bledsoe failed to lock.
At Pratt's rear window was raised.
A silver watch and 81. so in money are
missing The servant heard the bur-
glar moving around in the house. but
was so frightened she could not give
the alarm.
The home of Charles Bruhn in
South Heights was entered last night
at $50 o'clock by burglars. Nothing
is missing from the house.
Bakers Work Commended.
Officer Baker, who so admirably
proved his metal. served on the force
under Mayor Medill's administration,
and made splendid record. He was
reinstated some months ago when the
mayor and council came to an under
standing. He is typical policeman
in stature as well as in the character
istics of alertness and grit. Chief
Miller praised Bakers work highly
this morning. He is the kind of 4
policeman like" said the chief, land
my only regret is that l have not the
means at my command to reward him
through promotion or otherwise"