Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-25
Invade Sanctuary and
Steal Silver
Service
Contribution Boxes as
Well as Minister'S
Desk Opened
Rev. Baker p. Lee Reports Robbery
and Detectives Assigned to Case
Are Confident Of Recover
ing ValuabIes

Christ church was looted some time
between the closing of services Sunday
night and 8 o'clock Monday morning
by two thieves, who are being sought
by detectives of the central police
station.
Several valuable TASKS, portions Of
the beautiful silver service, as we'll as
two beautiful cut glass vases, were
taken away by the robbers, who
searched in every nook and corner
seeking articles which they might steal.
The two contribution boxes which stood
near the door were broken open and
robbed of the money which had been
placed in them during the preceding
week, while the desk Of the pastor,
Rev. Baker P. Lee, was broken open
and number of envelopes containing
contributions which had been made
during the Sunday services were stolen.
According to the detectives who are
working on the case, clews have been
discovered which they feel confident
will lead to the arrest and conviction
of the robbers
The robbery was discovered at 8
o'clock Monday morning by Archibald
Sessions, the organist of the church,
who had entered the building a few
minutes before the time in order to
arrange programs for a coming social.
When Mr.. Sessions entered his office,
which is a short distance from the
pastors study in the church, he found
that some person had been in the room
and had burned a number Of sheets
OF paper on which he had written notes.
The ashes were scattered over the
surface of a small center table, and
for a few moments Mr.. Sessions
thought some one had made an effort
to burn the church
Gold Cross Not Found
The organist sought William Sim
clair, the sexton, and called him to
the office. The sexton was as much
surprised as the organist had been at
what he saw, and together they made
an investigation. TAe first thing Mr..
Sinclair looked foy was the expensive
solid gold cross whihc is worn by Mr..
Lee during services and found it safely
hidden in small recess where 1t is
generally kept when not being worn
by the pastor.
Mr.. Lee was then communicated with
and he at once visited the church and
In company with the organist and
sexton continued the search.
1t was found that the expensive altar
cloth which has for years been an
object of great admiration to the con-
gregation, had been rolled up and
tossed into q corner a short distance
from the altar. The surplice which is
worn by the pastor during services
was found a short distance away 1t
was evident that the thieves had in
tended taking these two articles with
them, but must have forgotten them
when leaving.
The pastors study was. then visited
and 1t was found that drawers had
been pulled from the desk and the
contents scattered about the floor. A
number of envelopes containing money
which had been placed in the contri-
button boxes during the day and which
afterward had been placed in the desk
for safe keeping were gone. The money
in them had not been counted, but 1t
lght they contained about 500.
boxes at the door where char
Gas persons place donations were
sited and it was discovered that
tv ad been forced and the contents
ken 1t is thought they contained
tu $50. The broken locks were
near them. while the covers were
IN the floor,
Police Called In
rs then decided to communicate
he police, and Captain Walter
was at once called up and no.
'f IF the robbery. Captain Flam-
the. detectives bureau then de-
two officers on the case and they
Il once to the scene of the rob-
where they made an investiga-
4 inquiries made in the neigh
m ID by the officers it was learned
two men, one described as being
a-loolSing fellow dressed in suit
.f k clothes and wearing a bat
brown hat, and the second as
4 young man OF more refined ap-
ce, had been seen hanging
the church for several hours
revious afternoon. Two men
ing the same description attend
services Sunday night, and it
.e light by the detectives they re-
r.fIt i'm the building while the re-
nq..a ,r OF the congregation departed,
and ter things We're quiet had robbed
fhe ace.
"T. men were exceptionally dar-
ne. aid one of the detectives yes
rel8 "but we are confident we will
h to arrest them before long.
we're careful i'm their methods of
and did not turn on any of the
lights while robbing the place.
lur they relied on matches and
ind a number of burned stubs
aIou'l the building. We have several
D, IN which we are working and
W we feel sure viii lead us to
trt church is situated at 1915
etN Flower street and Is one of the
exclusive places OF worship in
seles. Its congregation is COM
Pf wealthy persons, and num-
tne most prominent business
~ the CITY are members Of It.