The San Francisco call., 1901-12-03
POLICE DOUBT
ROBBERY STORY
Edward Ezekiel Says He
Was Held Up" in
Nevada Block.
Admits That He Loses All
Earnings Playing
Poker.

Edward Ezekiel, collector and bellboy
at the Union League Club, reported at
police headquarters yesterday afternoon
that he had been knocked down and rob-
bed of between $40 and $3.50 in the Ne
vada block by an unknown man. He told
Captain Seymour that after leaving the
office of Reuben Lloyd he went toward
the rear stairway, when he got a blow on
the left side of the face. He staggered
against the wall and got another blow on
the right side of the face.
The next thing he remembered he was
lying on the floor. He was carried into
an office, and it was then that he discov-
cred that he had been robbed. He did
not see any one and he thought the per
son who hit him must have been hiding
by the rear stairway. The money was III
his trousers pockets, and S. that he had
in his coat pocket and check In MS vest
pocket were not taken.
Before going to the Nevada block he
said he went to the Sub-Treasury to col
lect where he saw man standing In the
doorway. He saw the same man after.
ward when he went up in the elevator OF
the Safe Deposit building. The man wore
a blue coat and light Fedora hat. he
said he would not know him If he saw
him again. Ezekiel showed a brulSe on
his left cheek and two slight bruises on
his forehead as evidence OF the blow ne
received.
He was closely questioned, and admit
ted that he spent most of his time play
ing poker in the Cafe Royal and the Bald
win Annex. He led the people in the CAFE
Royal to believe that he was a reporter
on the Examiner. He had lost all that he
had saved and earned for the past two
years while employed at the Union
League Club playing poker and ne was
behind the game at the Cafe Royal. he
has wife and child at 1908 Golden Gate
avenue, where he lives.
He had promised his wife that he would
not gamble, and she believed him. He
owed S100 npr9nn9llV and his wife owed
$50. His salary is $50 per month, but his
wife rented out rooms in their house ana
he had borrowed money from her to gam
BILE with. She provided for herself and
the baby from the money that came IN
from the rents and boarded with her pa
rents, who charged her nothing.
Captain Seymour and the secretary OF
the club, who heard his story, were doubt
full about it, and the captain detailed De-
tectives Wren and Mcmahon to make an
investigation.
After a thorough investigation Detec-
tives Wren and Mcmahon reported last
night to Captain Seymour that they were
satisfied that Ezekiel was not robbed.
They believe that a wound above his eye
was inflicted by himself in order to make
it appear that he was the victim of a
robber.
Robert Craven, a dishwasher, reported
to the Harbor police yesterday that he
had been knocked down and robbed of
81 20 on Mission-street wharf yesterday.
The matter is being investigated by Cap
I
placed in the story.
James Dooley and John Rolkey were ar
rested early yesterday morning by Po-
liCeman Mccormick and booked at the
City Prison on charge of robbery. They
were accused of robbing John Harring
ton of GA Howard street of so cents and
a pocket knife near his home. They ap-
peared before Judge Mogan yesterday,
and after being instructed and arraigned
the case was continued till December 5.
d. j. Kelly, alias P. j. McCauley, and
John Murphy were instructed and ar
raigned in Judge Conlan's court yester-
day on charge of robbery and the case
was continued till December 5. They are
accused of knocking down and robbing
Harry Lorenz, 73S Green street, at Powell
and O'Farrell early Sunday morning.
P. Sweeney 22S Michigan street, report
ed to the police yesterday morning that
he had been robbed of $50 by a man
named Cullen. He met Cullen in Conroy's S
saloon on Third street Sunday night and
had several drinks with him. Cullen left
the saloon shortly after midnight with
Sweeney and took him to a lodging house,
where Cullen was robbed of $50 which he
had in his pockets. The police are search
ing for Cullen.