Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-21
PISTOL COWS
DESPERATE
POLICEMAN'S GUN HALTS ROB.
Der IN FLIGHT
CHIEF KERN CoMMENDS Off.
GERS WORK
james Monroe Leisering Thought to
Be Desperate CriminaI-Held Up
Saloon, but Bartender Dis
armed Him-Caught Later

Patrolman Dennis T. Murphy of the
Los Angeles police force has been highly
commended by Chief of Police Edward
Kern and other officials of the depart
ment for the arrest yesterday morning
of James Monroe Leisering, alias James
Jenkins, who is believed by the police to
be one of the holdup men so active dur
ing the past fortnight.
Murphy carries his honors modestly
and speaks In high terms of the courage
of Michael Micaron, the bartender of the
Market saloon, which place Leisering is
believed to have attempted to hold up
a short time prior to his arrest.
Leisering was captured short distance
from Fthe saloon and when the patrolman
with his prisoner returned to the place
the man was identified by Micaroli.
The attempt to hold up the saloon was
made at l o'clock yesterday morning,
when a man, with drawn revolver. en-
tered the place. drove number of GUS
toners outside and warning others to
remain quiet, turned his attention to the
safe. While occupied in this work the
bartender, with the agility of a panther,
sprang upon the stranger and managed
during the struggle which followed to
insert one of his fingers under the ham,
mer of the thief's weapon. Other occu-
pants of the place came to the laid of
Micaroli, but the would-be robber threw
them off and escaped.
Policeman on Scene
A moment later Patrolman Murphy
entered the saloon and was told of the
attempted robbery. He Immediately set
out to find the man, visiting saloons in
the neighborhood, but found no trace Of
him until the Plaza was reached, when
he saw a man who answered the de-
scription given by the bartender of the
Market saloon. Covering the man with
revolver Murphy compelled him to
return to the saloon, where Micaroli
identified nim
While in the saloon Leisering made
several desperate Attempts to escape, and
while waiting for the arrival of the
patrol wagon it was necessary for the
officer to stand over the man and keep
him constantly covered with his pistol.
On the way to the station Leisering
repeatedly threatened Murphy, declaring
if he ever got out of Jail he would fix"
the officer.
Murphy is one of the recent additions
to the police force, but has on a number
of occasions demonstrated his courage
and ability. He has seen service in the
regular army, and is perfectly cool in
time of danger.
Praised by Chief
Chief of Police Kern yesterday spoke
highly of Murphy's work, as well as
that of other officers who have shown
special zeal in the work of running down
criminals since the present epidemic Of
crime began. Many of the officers, said
the chief, have voluntarily gone into the
outlying districts after their days work
was finished in an effort to capture men
responsible for recent robberies and
holdups.
such spirit as this" said the chief,
sis highly commendable, and is evidence
that my men are doing all III their power
to put an end to the present Geu'orable
conditions"
That the energetic work of the poi."a
department is having a good effect was
noticeable yesterday. But few arrests
were made although the officers were
unusually alert, and the number of sus-
picious characters taken to the station
was far below that of the preceding day.
The number of persons taken to the
station charged with drunkenness was
also much smaller, and the recent work
of the ponce and heavy sentences meted
out to men charged with this offense are
having a salutary effect.
Three New Robberies
Three robberies by sneak thieves were
reported to the police yesterday. The
heaviest loser was Carmen Cortez, a
Mexican, rooming at the Golden Lion
hotel 4071h North Los Angeles street.
from whom thief stole $734O while the
man was asleep.
The room of Herman Bartels in the
Flatiron building, Eighth and Spring
streets, was entered and pair of
trousers stolen.
Mrs. May Heckler lost $3.50 in money
and ticket to Salt Lake City Tuesday
evening while away from her home, 4191s
West Eighth street
While walking on Broadway at
o'clock Mrs. N A. Pontius, living at
652 South Spring street, was roughly
jostled by man, who grabbed a watch
and fob attached to her belt and escaped
In the crowd.