Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-10
NIGHT BATTLE
WITH BURGLAR
DIAMOND BROKER NARROWLY
ESCAPES DEATH
cHASES THIEF WHO FOLLOWED
HIM WITH GUN
Pursued Man Returns Fire-No Ar
rests Made-Man Seen at VIM
dow Described as
Mexican

II. w. Wulze, a jeweler and diamond
broker, living at 11O1 Orange street,
Los Angeles, fired four shots at a
burglar last night, who was attempting
to enter his residence, and narrowly
escaped being killed when the thief re-
turned his fire.
Wulze owns a jewelry store at 226
Mercantile place. During the past few
Gays both Wulze and his wife, who
runs the establishment during his abb
sence, have noticed a dark, heavy-set
Mexican loafing in the vicinity of the
store, who invariably followed them
home. Wulze described the man as
being dark, heavy-set and badly pitted
by smallpox. He wears oVeralls, a
soft shirt and slouch hat.
On the evening Of July 7, Wulze,
preparatory to closing his store for the
night, placed two large diamond ear
rings in his pocket, valued at more
than $1,000, which, during the day, had
been in the display window. The MeXi-
can was standing across the street at
the time and saw Wulze place the
gems in his pocket. Later in the
evening Wulze saw the same man in
the vicinity of his residence, but
thought nothing of the occurrence.
Seen in Window
About II o'clock wednesday evening
Wulze and his wife were awakened and
saw a man climbing through the bed
room window. By the brilliant moon
light they recognized the same Mexi-
can who had followed them home, fire.
quently boarding the same car. Wulze
and his wife occupy the outside rooms
of a row of flats their apartments
being situated on the ground floor.
Wulze, who keeps a Colt revolver, A
caliber, in his bureau, jumped from
the bed and ran across the room to
secure the gun. The burglar heard him,
dropped from the window and ran
across the street.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wulze watched the
man run up the street few hundred
feet and walk leisurely back on the
opposite side, where he met a con-
federate, who had been standing be-
hind a tree. The two men then walked
down the street.
WuIze, however, kept watch and was
about to return to bed when he again
heard a noise at the bathroom window,
about 2 a. m. Selling his revolver and
running around the corner of the fiat
he saw the Mexican endeavoring to pry
omen the window. WulZe fired two
Quick shots without effect. The burglar
dropped from the window and ran
across a vacant lot at the side of the
apartment.
Fired 1T Runner
Wulze followed him a short distance
and fired two more shots at the flee
ing man. He had scarcely ceased fir
ing when the burglar wheeled and
fired twice at Wulze. Wulze stated
that one of the bullets passed SO close
to him that he could feel the air from
It. The police were notified Immediately
and although a thorough search of the
surrounding district was made no trace
of the thief could be found.
Mrs. Wulze, who is an expert shot
with a revolver, meanwhile stood at
the front door with gun In case
the burglar should come within her
range of fire. Wulze believes that his
third shot wounded the man, as he
stumbled and nearly fell, but quickly
regained his feet.
This is the second occurrence of a
similar nature which has befallen
Wulze during the past year. While
living in st. Louis, in June, 1908, he
was awakened by burglar entering
his room. He gave chase with a re-
volver, but failed to get his man after
emptying his gun.