The San Francisco call., 1909-04-15
Harry D. Brown, Fugitive From
Justice, HarbOred by Peace
Officer for Three Weeks
Broker Accused of SwindIing
Los Angeles Citizens Out of
Sz50,000 Run to Earth
Detectives Find Their Man Con-
cealed in Small Room in
Basement of Residence
lSPecial Dispatch 10 The CALI


- AKLAND. April 14.-After hav-
ing been shielded by an officer
- OF the law for three weeks. while
police and private detectives Of san
Francisco. Oakland and Los Angeles
secured the country in search Of him.
Harry D. Brown the 500 per cent
broker" who is accused OF having
swindled Los Angeles citizens OF over
S25o.o0o. was ragged from his place
of eoncealment in Deputy Constable J.
E. Beeker's residence 2el5 Crosby ave
nue. Fruitvale. tonight He viii be
taken to Los Angeles today. as soon as
police detectives can arrive from the
southern city. 1t is feared that a dem
oastration VIII be made against him on
has arrival there, and for that reason he
VIII be taken to the city by stealth.
Concealed by Constable
The astounding discovery OF Browns
concealment in the constabIe's home
was doubted by Detectives McSorley
and Green when first the news was
whispered 10 them. but they determined
10 investigate. When they arrived at
the house so many obstacles were
thrown In the way OF their entrance
thar their suspicious were confirmed
and they searched the premises and
found the fugitive.
Brown has a criminal record in New
York. but in another way IS a marked
man TO the police. for he weighs 275
pounds. though but 5 feet 4 inches in
4 ght owing to this physical appear
ance he could not traverse the streets,
and for three weeks he has been cooped
in a small. dark room in the constable's
basement waiting until the search for
him should die away.
Fled From Los Angeles
Brown fed from Los Angeles in an
auto. after cashing worthless checks
for $4,000 on Joseph Rittigstein. Los
Angeles 5eweler. The fugitive came to
san Francisco and gave the chauffeur
who whizzed him to temporary safety
here a check for $50 as a tip. This
check proved to be worthless.
Constable Becker says two attorneys
came to his house and sought a Sc
cIuded room for Brown. who was an old
friend Of the Beckers. Becker pro-
vided the room. and in the dead of night
the fugitive was taken from the down
town lodging house in which he was
skuIking and ensconced in the base
ment Of the Becker home.
Detectives McSorley and Green met
f Becker at the door of his residence and
demanded the broker.
Constable Tells a Fib
why. he has gone TO Portland the
police officer replied
McSorIey held the constable in con-
versation and Green went 10 the house.
Mrs. Becker came TO the front door and
started to come out on the porch and
close the door. with the remark that
The mosquitoes are so bad Green
noted that the atmosphere was quite
clear Of mosquitoes. but he smelled
mouse, and demanded Brown again.
This time the constable broke down and
led the way 10 the damp and dark base
1nent room in which the broker was
ying on a mattress.
Beckers conduct viii be laid before
Chief of Police Wilson and full inves-
tigation viii result
Among Browns Los Angeles victims
is Or. Nettie Hammond, who lost $4,000
through the swindler and scores of
japanese were mulcted Of greater or
Ices e,,rns by the willy bunko man