The San Francisco call., 1906-09-10
Fireman Who Held Up Cars
Puzzles Police Officials.
Believed to Have Com
mitted Daring Crime
While on Spree.

The police are puzzled over the mo-
tives that led Harry w. Merton, the
young fireman, to hold up two Fill
more-street cars last Saturday night
There is nothing in the appearance of
the young man, except a receding chin
and weak face, that would justify the
theory that he is a desperate highway
man. His statement of the circum-
stances is far from satisfactory.
When the stationary firemen went
out on strike Merton, who had been
employed as an oiler at the power
house of the United Railroads at the
foot of Buchanan street, obeyed the
order Of the union and quit work. He
secured position with the San Fran
cisco Gas and Electric Company at it's
powerhouse in the Potrero. During
this time he lived at the Eastlake Hotel
at the corner of Webster and Bay
streets, where he was regarded as an
Industrious young man.
When the strike was ended Merton,
under the instruction of the union, re-
ported to the United Railroads, expect
ing to return to his former position.
The superintendent of the powerhouse
told him that he had no authority to
reinstate him without note from the
general office of the company.
Merton was disappointed that he was
not Immediately. reinstated. He re-
turned to the Eastlake Hotel somewhat
crestfallen and began to drink. For
three days he was about the hotel in
a maudlin condition. Saturday night
he remained al the hotel until o'clock.
when he suddenly disappeared. Charles
Wilkinson Jr., the proprietor. says that
Merton borrowed 81 from him in the
afternoon and he fears that he used the
money to prolong his debauch.
1t is the theory of the police that
Merton walked from the hotel to the
corner of Fillmore and Francisco
streets, where he held up Albert j.
Davis. The incidents of the next few
minutes came rapidly. Merton marched
Davis and Motorman Farley up to
Chestnut street, where the second car
was encountered. Conductor C. H. Will
liams and Motorman ]. Fife were sent
to the top of the hill with instructions to
hurry the next car down. AS soon as
Williams reached telephone a mes
sage was sent to the police. Corporal
Morrissey hastened to the foot of the
hill, where he found Merton still
waiting for the car. He was placed
under arrest without difficulty. The
revolver found in his possession was
unloaded.
AS soon as he was arrested Merton
became penitent. He could not explain
why he had held up the cars, assert
ing that the men were known to him
and that he was playing a joke. The
police are not disposed to treat him
with leniency, although they are some
what puzzled by his demeanor. Chief
Of Police Dinan says that the mans
actions are peculiar. but that he will
not allow any such consideration to
justify highway robbery.
Il was only fooling when / held up
the carmen" he said yesterday. Il
knew the men well and was joking
with them. Yes, have been drinking
heavily for several days and that may
have prompted me to play the joke.
am sorry that it happened
Merton has wife living in Heads
burg. 1t is stated at the Eastlake: Hotel
that they have not lived together for
several months, although they corre-
sponded.