Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-03
THUG ATTEMPTS
MURDER AT NOON
PAWNBR0KER ON SEVENTH
STREET IS THE VICTIM
AssAILANT is ARRESTED AFTER
CHASE BY CROWD
Harry Franklin, Alias James Johnson,
Now In City Jail-Vctim Hit
with Bludgeon Treated
at Hospital

What is considered the boldest and
one of the most brutal daylight rob
berries and attempts at murder in Los
Angeles police annals was committed
yesterday noon, when Harry FRANKLIN,
alias James johnson, entered the COM
bination pawn shop and general store
of David Cohen at 20S West Seventh
street, felled Cohen with a piece OF
lead pipe, and after looting the store,
attempted to make his escape. Frank
lin was captured by Police officer Ar
guello at Sixth street and Broadway
after a chase in which more than 100
persons engaged. Franklin is now in
the city Jail, booked on charges Of rob
berry, burglary and assault TO murder.
He does not deny his guilt, and has
been identified positively by Cohen.
Cohen is now at his home, 145 South
Flower street, suffering from two deep
Ngashes on the scalp, one just above the
eyes and the other at the back of the
head. The injuries are not serious,
according TO the statements of the po-
lice surgeons who treated Cohen. His
advanced age of GO years may delay
Cohen's recovery, although he has a
hardy constitution and no fears are
entertained of his ultimate recovery.
Beaten from Behind
About noon yesterday Cohen was
tered and asked to be shown a trunk.
Cohen asked his customer to step back
into the interior of the store, where the
trunks were kept. Franklin selected a
trunk and asked Cohen to open it. As
the old man bent over TO lift the trunk
top Franklin dealt him a vicious blow,
knocking him senseless and cutting a
deep cash in Cohen's head. Another
blow was struck as the old man fell TO
the floor
In an instant Franklin began ri1ing
the store. He grasped some cheap jew
elry and an automatic revolver and
started for the street Cohen came to
his senses about this time. and al
though suffering great pain and bleed
ing profusely from his wounds, strug-
gled to his feet and started after his
assailant.
Franklin gained the street, with Co
hen closely following. When Franklin
found that he was being pursued he
started to run, crossing Seventh street
Cohen cried: Murder! Stop thief"
and "Police!" running all the while af-
ter the fleeing robber
Man Chase Started
Crowds passing along Seventh street
and Broadway were attracted by Co
hens cries, and when they saw that he
had been injured they took up the man
chase.
Weak from loss of blood and almost
overcome by the shock, Cohen stag
gered about until accosted by DR.. A. NJ.
King Of 633 South Hill street. DR.. King
half carried Cohen back to his store
and called the police ambulance, which
removed Cohen to the receiving hOSpi-
tai, where his wounds We're dressed.
Franklin ran across Seventh street
and north through an alley between
Broadway and Spring streets The pur-
suing crowd was led by a negro, Dan
J. Jones, a nod carrier. As sixth street
was reached Franklin turned westward.
Jones spurtcd ahead Of the crowd and
was almost upon Franklin when Broad
wav was reached. officer Areuello. who
is stationed at Sixth street and Broad
way, hearing the cries and perceivlng
the fleeing robber, drew his revolver
and called to Franklin TO stop Jones
rushed up and grapple9 with Franklin,
while officer Arguello haudcuffed him.
Franklin was brought to central sta
tfon and taken before Cohen, who was
then in the receiving hospital. II took
hut an instant for Cohen 10 identify
the robber, and in his identification he
used some strong words of denuncia-
tion.
Ugly Bludgeon Found
After being brought to police head !
quarters Franklin finally admitted be-
ing the man wanted begging for mercy
and asking that his family who live on
the east side and are highly respected |
be not informed of the affair. The
stolen revolver and other articles We're
found on Franklin.
Search of the premises at 2O9 West
Seventh street resulted i'm the finding
of an ugly-loolSino bludgeOn. 1t is eight