Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-04
CONFESSES TO
MANY 7HEFTS
BOHEMIAN JEW ARRESTED FOR
STEALING GOLD
ROBBED JEWELLERS BY WHOM HE
WAS EMPLOYED
Wife Clings to Him to Door of Jail.
Believed to Have Taken Over
$1ooo-Blames Poker for
Downfall

S. e. Ash, Bohemian Jew, living at
665 East Forty-first street and employed
for the last two years as bench jeweler
by Carl Enternan & Co., 117h South
Spring street, was arrested about
o'clock last night by P. L. Blair of the
Blair detective agency on a charge Of
stealing gold scraps from the jewelry
store.
Ash at first stoutly denied his guilt.
but when searched was found with $14
worth of chip gold in his pockets-the
result of one days thefts.
The detectives were employed to in
vestigate the case some days ago, and
suspicion Immediately rested on ASH,
who was closely guarded, and fell into
the tolls of the law before realizing
he was under surveillance.
Following his arrest Ash was taken
to his home and there about $50 worth
OF gold chips was also discovered.
Ash is married and has a beautiful
wife, who was almost overcome by her
husbands arrest, but who chung loyalty
TO him, insisting that he was innocent.
When taken before the proprietors OF
the store Ash was closely questioned,
and in the presence of Carl Entermar,
president; Fred Walters, jr., vice presi-
dent; Edward P. Nicholl, treasurer of
the company, and Detective P. L. Blair,
broke down and admitted he had been
stealing gold scraps from the work
bench since Christmas
Denies Other Thefts
He denied that his thefts had ex-
tended previous to that time, but de-
tectives and jewelers. declare nearly
$1,000 worth of gold chips have been
stolen in the last two years, beginning
with Ash's employment there.
A diamond ring valued at $140 was
also stolen about two weeks ago. and
the officers Lope also to fasten this
crime upon him.
Ash came to Los Angeles several
years ago from Minneapolis, and has
teen married twice. He was divorced
from his first wife in this city and sub
sequently married his present wife.
He drew $40 week at Enterman's,
and had no children. He declared that
the pressure of debts incurred at tho
gaming table had led to his downfall
Il have nothing to blame but poker"
he said. 81 tried to be a good fellow,
and lost heavily at the game. When T.
came time to pay my debts 1t was neces-
sary to steal to do so, unless l took
bread from my wifes mouth
Prison Parting Pathetic
At the mention of his wife the tears
almost came into his eyes, and he APP
peared deeply affected.
The wife remained at his side, Loyalty,
and repeatedly kissed him.
At the police station, while her hus-
hand was being searched she stool
back and watched the proceedings as
II on the verge of collapsing, but nerved
herself for the final parting.
Ash repeatedly stepped over to her
and threw his arms about her, kissing
her affectionateiy and whispering into
Eer ear.
When they were finally compelled to
separate, as he was led into the city
Sail tanks, she followed him to the door.
gazing heart brokenly as the big iron
door closed between them. Then she
walked slowly with head bowed from
the station.
If the theft of the ring and other ar
ucles of which Ash is suspected can b.
proved he undoubtedly faces a long
term in the penitentiary. At present TIL.
charge against him, to which he has
confessed is petty larceny.