Los Angeles herald., 1908-01-13
SLAIN CAR BANDIT
IS IDENTIFIED AS
CHARLES SCHAFER
POLICE ON TRAIL AT TIME OF DEATH
Robber Killed by J. G. Greer the One Who Held
Up Conductor Liyingood Friday Night-Shot
Which Pierced Highwayman's Neck
Came from His Own Gun

an excellent conductor. He regrets ex-
ceedingly having been compelled to slay
the robber, but knows that had Schafer
got the chance he would have killed half
a dozen.
"The motorman, who did not see the
fight until after 1t was well started, made
haste to go to the conductors aid and
was nearly to the door of The front plat
form when Schafer fell before Greer s
bullets"
Is Highly Recommended
Conductor Greer lives with his wife and
3-year-old baby girl in Redondo He came
to Los Angeles last September from FIT.
Worth, Tex, the condition of his wife's
health making the move necessary. With
him he brought a letter of recommends
ton addressed to Chief of Police Kern,
from the chief of police of the Texas city.
Through this letter, and the efforts of
Chief Kern, Greer Immediately obtained
the position ne still holds. When seen at
his home in Redondo yesterday, he said:
1.-THE task which was imposed upon me
was not pleasant one. All last Night 1
scarcely slept The excitement having
found its way to my brain, and each time
closed my eyes l seemed to see the form
of the dead robber pitching forward to
the floor. In one thing nearly all have
been mistaken. l did not fire the first
bullet-the one which passed through
Schafer's neck and wounded Williams.
That bullet was fired by Schafer himself
in a vain effort to kill the man who had
tackled him. AS the report of that shot
ecnoed through the car L drew my re-
.volver from my pocket and fired twice.
zone of my bullets struck Schafer just to
the left of the heart, while the second
passed through his stomach.
Had Large Sum
II had in my pockets at the time $3.50
in change and $50 in scrip and bills. The
$3.50 was abstracted from my coat pocket
by the robber, a moment before Williams
tackled him. The $50 was in my, inside
pocket, and this he had tried to touch.
II am confident he had an acconplice,
but the man evidently became too fright
ened to aid his comrade and sprang> from
the car at the sound of the first shot.
Il cannot say too much in praise oi
Mr.. williams, who so bravely grappled
with an armed robber, who he knew
would shoot on the slightest provocation.
Mrs Davidson, who was on the car, Is
also TO be commended. She showed the
greatest nerve during the fight, and in
stead of fainting after it was over aided
us in attending Williams and in the ex-
animation of the dead robber."
Mr.. Williams yesterday was resting at
his nome dl N1OHtbds WhOiN iO - StAt
ployed as driver for the Standard on
company. The wound in his hand
troubled him considerably and it will
probab bly be some time before he Will be
able to return to work
II was so surprised when Schafer pre-
sented his guns that for few seconds
scarcely knew what to do" he said yes
terday "Then 1t occurred to me we
were certainly a bunch of towards to let
that one man master us all, and without
another thought ] sprang up and grabbed
him. 1t isn't niceN to be mixed up in any
deal where a human being loses his life,
but it was better to have one man killed
than a half dozen"
II knew Charles Schafer well" said
William Rudolph after seeing the body
of the dead robber at the morgue yes
terday.
''He came from Cleveland and formerly
worked a. San Fernando. His family
still lives at Cleveland"
Inquest over the body will be held Tues
day at Bresee Bros morgue.
Seek coIeerove Robbers
Police officers and deputy sheriffs we're
engaged all day yesterday seeking clews
to the identity of the highwaymen who
attempted to wreck the car on the Cole
grove line between Center and Vermont
streets on Santa Monica avenue at $3.50
O'clock Saturday night.
Their efforts were unsuccessful, but the
officers are convinced that the attempt
was made by members of gang of yegg-
men who recently arrived in this city from
eastern points.
Several members of this gang are known
to the detectives. and the order has gone
forth from the chiefs office to bring them
in whenever seen.
The attempt was dastardly, and, the
officers fear that If the wreckers are not
apprehended Immediately they may make
another attempt which will be successful.
The ties which were piled across tho
rails to wreck the car had been carried
some distance. The spot was most Sc
cluded. as there are but few houses in
the vicinity These things combined to
make it favored spot for crime of this