Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1907-07-02
CAPTURE BURGLAR
ON THE ROOF
DESPERATE MAN BATTLES WITH
THE POLICE ON DIZZY
HEIGHT.
CAUGHT RED HANDED
TWICE ATTEMPTS SUICIDE by
HANGING WHEN PLACED
IN CELL.

Pittsburg. Pa, July after bat
ling for half an hour on the top OF
a three-storp building in Allegheny
with three detectives. all OF whom
we're In imminent danger of being
brown from the dizzy height. John
Miller, an alleged second-story man
and burglar, was arrested last even
ng. After being placed in cell he
twice attempted suicide by hanging
but was cut down. On both occas-
sions he was unconscious and strangl
ng when the police discovered him.
Miller was coronered on the roof
of the house at 7l5 Washington St
after an exciting chase of dozen
blocks and through East Park. IL
was aught coming out of house
on Anderson street near the West
Penn Railroad. Miller was loaded
with silverware and jcwelry he had
taken from the residence. one OF
the neighbors was suspicious and
yelled for the police. Miller started
a. dead run across the West Penn
racks.
A big crowd was soon i'm pursuit
rhis was augmented by gang of
ection workers from the railroad.
MILLER carried an ugly looking knife.
and when the crowd was slowly
losing in upon him, bue he hurled
the pieces of spverwRre at their
heads and drew his knife and revol-
ger In menacing manner
BY this time 500 people were pur-
uing the burglar The police do
Dartment had been notified and a
W)l wagon with Detectives Philip
Nc Donough, Leon Einsteln and
Robert Patten Joined the pursuers.
Miller was tirlng fast Ho sought to
escape by lodging into the basement
of the apartment house occupied by
August Notell at 715. The officers
| followed, but Miller eludGd them I'm
the darkness The detectives thought
he had escaped from the rear of the
building OF a time. when suddenly
their attention was called to man
on the roof IT was Miller crouchlng
behind a chimney
Detectives Immediately ordered
him down He answered deRantly
and proceeded to lombard the crowd
below with bricks torn from the
chimney When they arrived AT the
top Of the ladder leading to the roof
the officers discoyqred that Miller
had succeeded In fastening It so that
IT ould not be raised. He was also
standing on the trap door and refus-
ed TO move
The policemen I'm the street below
hourished their rcvolvers and threat
'ned to shoot to Kill. Miller answer
ed them by throwing more bricks.
Finally Detectives McDonoueh and
Ginstein secured an AK and battered
the trap door open. Miller threaten
ed them with death, but they sue.
.ceeded I'm reaching the roof and
.clinching with the robber
CAUGHT WHILE SLIDING.
Then followed a terrific struggle.
Miller was desperate. and as the roof
IS one Of the mansard type they had
Ito be extremely careful I'm order TO
etain their footing and save them
selves from being thrown off Final
.ly Einstciu succeeded in dealing MuI-
'r a blow behind the ear. lie fell.
but before he could slide to the street
the officers seized him and started
down the ladder with their prisoner
He continued 90 battle but was over
powered
After being placed I'm cell he
feigned sloep $50 attention was be
ing paid to- him when sergeants phil
.ip Steuruaglc and Charles Faulkner
happened to- pas through the jail
corridor They discovered him sus
pended by Dis lsponder from the
bars Of his cell door The second
attempt at suicide vas made by tear
ing up his shirt and making q moose
OF that Miller is an ex-conyict.
having served 600 the Western Penl-
tentiary for burglary His picture
is in the roguos gallery in Allie