The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-08-17
Tunnel TO
STEAL GOLD
SeIbyStrong Room
Is Robbed Of
Thousands.

SAN FRANCISCO, August 10-f:n
Tuesday morning last, when the stro1z
room of the selby Smelling Compan
plant, near Crockett was opened it was
discovered that bullion to the value of
$3.50, 900 had been stolen during the
of the vault showed plainly how the
precious metal had been removed \
search disclosed the fact that the rob
Der or robbers had dug a tunnel from
a point just alongside the wall, down
underneath the vault and upwards to
the floor. The robber had then bored
about $50 holes to within a hairs
breadth of the surface and then when
everything was in readiness to carry
off the plumber, carefully cut away
the remaining shell and gained access
to the bullion room. Everything show
ed the most painstaking accuracy and
care, and it is thought that the work of
excavation and the cutting of the
flooring must have taken weeks
Word was Immediately sent TO this
city and force of detectives commence
ed work on the case. AT first they were
completely at loss, but soon evidence
began to pile up and the bullion was
traced from the vault to the bay shore,
about 800 feet from the works, a trail
of red pepper leading the way. On the
bay shore was found two gold bricks
of 5000 value, and this was taken as
evidence that the robber or robbers had
az in a boat Further search
vealed facts which pointed to one man.
Jack Winters, as the leader of the gang
and the detectives went to work with
the result that indisputable evidence
that he was connected with the robbery
was found in his cabin, lonely little
affair. situated on a hill near the
works. Winters had been an employe
of the works for seven years and quit
his job six weeks ago, on account of
i'll health, he says. He was arrested in
San Rafael and brought to this city,
where he was put through a most thor
|ough examination, but he stoutly main
tanned his innocence, and although in
terrogated for two days he gave the
officers no great satisfaction though,
from his conflicting statements. they
were positive that he knew all about
the crime. Late yesterday afternoon
he showed signs of weakening, and at
last asked to see Superintendent Ropp,
his only friend, he said, and to him ha
made a full confession.
SAN FRANCISCO. August 10.-The
gold bars. amounting to s2S0,00O, stolen
from the strong-room of the Selby
Smelling Works during Monday night
last, have been located and over $4,000
worth OF the precious metal has been
recovered and the balance will be taken
from its hiding place within few
hours The detectives worked on the
suspect, Jack Winters. all yesterday
afternoon and the egreater part of last
night with the result that he confessed
his crime and at an early hour this
morning took the detectives to the spot
where he hid the gold The spot chosen
by him was a poor one for the secreting
OF so much treasure, it being at the
end of the railroad wharf. but short
distance from the company's plant.
SAN FRANCISCO. August 10.-Jack
Winters. who was arrested for the. Sell
by Smelling Works robbery. has con-
fessed his crime. and SO far $4,000
worth of bullion has been recovered
from the bay, where he had sunk IT.
For three days the detectives have tried
all sorts of intimidation to make Win
tiers confess but their threats apparent
ly had no effect upon him. Finally NJ
asked 10 see Supt. Ropp of the work,
who, re said, was the only friend he
had. in his conversation with Rorp,
Winters manner indicated that he
knew where the gold had been hidden.
Ropp told him that they had strong
case against him and that he would be
sent to prison for thirty years. He
said You will be an old man when yo.s
get out and it will do you no good to
hide the gold We know it is hidde;'
in the water near the works and we
win search every inch. You may b.