Los Angeles herald., 1905-11-01
FIREMAN SHOWS
GREAT BRAVERY
DEFlES BULLETS; CAPTURES
BURGLAR
c. X. chamberlln Of Engine 9 Makes
Daring Arrest Of Desperate Thief
and Wins Highest Praise
From Police

Through a perfect storm Of bullets
which rained about him yesterday af-
ternoon, c. X. Chamberlln chased a
fleeing burglar two blocks on Fast
Ninth street. Chamberlin, who is a
fireman connected with engine house
number nine, at Ninth and Santee
streets, overhauled his man. disarmed
him and held his prisoner until the
patrol wagon arrived
At the police station Capt. Bradish
"sweated" the man and after few
minutes sharp questioning elicit
ed confession from the prisoner
to the effect that he was an escaped
convict who has still six years sentence
hanging over him in Minnesota for
burglary.
The capture Of the man, who gives
his name as J. w. Davenport, was
effected In a most dramatic manner.
Fireman Chamberlin pursued the man
despite the fact that every few seconds
a. revolver bullet flew within hair-rais-
ing paoxmity to his head. Bystanders
who witnessed the thrilling incident
say that Chamberlin went about max
ing the arr est as calmly as II he had
been responding to lace curtain-gas
jet still alarm.
Gordon Showed Goodness
Considerable credit for the capture
was due to Joseph Gordon, switch
man who works nights and sleeps days
when enterprising sneak thieves 40 not
disturb his daylight slumbers. Gordon
lives at the corner of Santee and Ninth
streets. Yesterday afternoon when
Gordon saw a strange man hastlly
withdraw his head and shoulders from
his bedchamber the switchman did not
get ratified, but arose and dressed nlfn-
self quietly and went onto the street
to - a little Sherlock Holmes work
on his own hook.
When opposite the fire station Ior-
don noticed the man whom he mad seen
in his house entering the residence or
G. w. Marine at 3141a East Ninth
street. Gordon called Fireman Cham
berlin and explained the situation TO
him. Chamberlin realized that he was
not clothed with authority TO make an
arrest but he was not loath to have a
little excitement to break up the mon
otony of the afternoon on watch.
Shows Wonderful Courage
When the supposed burglar came out
from the Marine residence he was
halted by Chamberlin and Gordon.
Char1berlin at once took the initiative
and began to question the man. the
party in the meantime moving toward
the bill boards at the corner OF Nlntn
and Santee. At this point the burglar
suggested to Chamberlin that he would
like to take a drink, at the same time
,oalxinp a move towards his pocket
Chamberlin good naturedly agreed ana
told the man to go ahead. Inc next
instant Chamberlin was looking 1nto
the dark depth of the muzzle or Dig
revolver.
Without seconds hesitation the
doughty fireman made grab at the
man behind the gun, at the same time
duckine lust at the pSychologlcal mo-
ment to avoid the bullet.
Then the thrilling chase began.
Every time the men turned half way
round to fire Chamberlin would take
quick side step and avoid tne shoI
which whizzed by him to the right or
the left. -
twice the fleeing desperate came TO
a full stop, steadied down and took
deliberate aim at his pursuer.
But the Nemesis never faltered. ana
at the instant when the last cartridge
in the chamber of the mans revolver
had been discharged the thief found
himself in the iron grip OF the nre
laddy.
A moments struggle convinced the
man that resistance was useless, ana
he stood painting and exhausted In the
grasp of his relentless captor.
At the police station a quantity or
1ewelry and a collection OF coins In
buckskin bag were found In the mans
possession. This property was identi-
fed at the station last night by Mr..
Marine.
Police Praise Bravery
The confession which Davenport
made to Capt. Bradish last night indi-
Gated that is wanted at st. Cloud,
Mimi, where he is known as julius
Berge, to complete seven years SEN
tence of which he had served but one
year at the time of his escape. The
, ST. Cloud authorities have been nott-
fed of the mans arrest.
Fireman Chamberlin, when seen at
the engine house last night, was eX-
tremely modest and treated the affair
rather lightly. He made merry about
the fellows craftsmanship and said
he didn't believe the cracksman could
hit barn If he was locked up inside
of it.
In speaking of the capture Capt
BradiSh said:
'It is one of the best captures made
this year. In view of the fact that
the robber fired five shots at Cham
berlin it Is a display of bravery that
cannot be excelled. Chamberlin took
his life in his hands. How the robber
ever missed him is a miracle
Gordon does not at all come second
in the share for glory. He stands side
by side with Chamberlain. When he
could not find official assistance he
made assistance.
"In my opinion, We're a little more
presence OF mind and bravery exer-
cised by the hundreds of people who
are victimized. burglarlzing would de-
crease materially in Los Angeles and
the police would be enabled TO do bet
ter work when detailed on cases."
Naval Officer Drowned