Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-20
BAREFOOTED
BURGLAR IN
TOLLS AGAIN
J. G. Fleenor Caught
by Reporter for
Herald
Makes Third Attempt to
Escape from
Prison
Runs Into Blind Alley in Dash fol
Liberty-Admits His Identity
When Sheriff Sees
Him

burglar, confessed perpetrator OF hfty-
four burglaries in this city, leader of
the attempted Jail break from the
county Jail on the morning Of April
4, and who while on his way to San
Quentin prison made his escape from
the Harbor police station in San Fran
cisco on the night of May IA, is safe
again in the tanks at the county Jail.
He was captured at 3 o'clock yester-
day morning on Santa Fe avenue by
Patrolman Ray Robbins, who picked
him up as a suspicious character with
out knowing who he was. He made
a second and more spectacular escape
from the city jail a few minutes later
and was then run down and captured
and safely placed in Jail by Patrol
man Charles H. Jarvis and Herald
reporter who was on duty at the sta
ton at the time of the escape.
1t was about o'clock when Patrol
man Robbins in going over his beat
near the Santa Fe freight yards no
ticed a man lodging along in the
shadow of some cars near the depot.
The man seemed confused and acted
as if he did not know where he was
|
manded to know his business.
cowed by Revolver
AS a precaution the officer drew his
revolver when he spoke to him and
the sight of this evidently kept the
desperate negro quiet Robbins not
recognizing the man again demanded
his business and the negro replied:
"why, I am trying to get somewhere
"Why l am trying to get somewhere
toward Grand avenue or Main street
or Maple avenue. am not acquainted
with the streets here"
"Where did you come from and
what is your name and who are you?"
demanded the officer
"I just came in from the north and
1 am looking for some folks I know"
replied the negro. 81 am all right,
Mr. officer, and I amt going to harm
anybody"
in the neggo's hands something bright
and taking hold of the hand found
that it was a cold chisel and piece
of bent steel much in the shape of
short jimmy.
"I guess you will have to go to the
station for the night" he said. "If
you are all right you will be turned
loose in the morning and you will
have place to sleep and can find
your friends in daylight"
"All right, sir, all right. I'll go all
right, but you ought not to arrest me
as 1 am straight"
Makes Dash for Liberty
When the patrol wagon arrived the
negro was placed in it next to four
other prisoners who had been gathered
up at various points, and with PATROL
man Jarvis as the sole guard started
to the station. The ride was quick
one and in a few minutes the wagon
rolled into the court back of the Jail.
Here it is turned and faces the street
while the prisoners are taken out and
conducted up pair of stone steps
leading to the hallway, in which is the
desk sergeant's office.
AS the wagon Strengthened out Of
ficer Jarvis stepped down and with a
"Come on, boys" stepped to one side
to allow the prisoners to descend.
AS he moved away from the rear of
the wagon Fleenor dropped from the
wagon and turned to go up the steps.
AS he got to the space between the
wagon and the wall leading to the
open street he turned, and swift as an
unleashed hound sprang forward.
Halt, halt!' yelled Jarvis, springing
after him. The fleeing man paid no
attention to the command and jumped
for the sidewalk.
At this moment a Herald reporter
came along and hearing the quick pat
ter of feet sprang to the doorway, and
seeing that a prisoner was fleeing made
an effort to trip him. The big negro
plunged ahead, struck the leg of the
reporter with his feet, stumbled for an
instant gathered himself again and
dashed across the street toward the
Tajo building with the officer and re-
porter after him.
Dune Info blind IIaU
Swift almost as thought the negro
reached the corner and turned north on
Broadway. Immediately in front of the
Broadway side of the building was
stacked great piles of early morning
newspapers ready for the carriers, and
the negro doubled around these and
dashed diagonally across the street
toward the rear of the Times office.
Through a score or more of newsboys
and carriers he plunged, scattering
them right and left, with his pursuers
close behind. A few feet further and
an opening appeared in the wall of
buildings. 1t was the blind alley which
leads to the rear of the Times build
ing and down this dark, tunnel-like
way the fleeing prisoner ran.
1t was a trap. What might have been
a successful escape was at that mo-
ment turned into failure, for there
was no way out except to return, and
in the face of armed pursuers the
negro paused. He tried to hide in a
small areaway in the rear of John I.
CONTINUED on Page Three.)