The San Francisco call., 1910-03-14
Jean Francois Millet's "Shep-
herd and Flock" Removed
From Art Gallery Under
Eyes of Attendants
DELAY IN GIVING ALARM
ALLOWS THIEF TO ESCAPE
Theft of Painting Valued at
$4,000 Believed to Have
Been Result of a Well
Laid Conspiracy
POLICE FAIL TO SECURE
CLEW AS TO CRIMINALS

TEAN FRANCOIS MILLETTS
painting, Shepherd and Flock"
u one of the few works of that mas
ter owned on the Pacific coast, and
valued at $4,000, was cut from its
frame and stolen from the Golden
Gate park museum yesterday morn
ing at time when there was a regu-
lar policeman "a special officer and
five other attaches of the museum
about the place. The art thief is
thought TO have stuffed the master
piece into his pocket and walked out
of the building under the eyes of
Special Policeman Alex Lawson and
George Baron, curator OF the mu-
scum.
Painting Only Loaned
The painting did not belong TO the
park, but was included in the loan
collection of Miss Sarah NJ, Spooner,
who is now travelling in Europe. Ii
hung low on the north wall of the
south art room at the museum, guard
ed by low railing about two feet
from the wall. At the time of the
theft, about 1915 o'clock in the morn
ing. there were a small number OF
people scattered about in the building.
The thief must have cut the canvas
with raor. or an exceedingly sharp
dirk. For the canvas was cut within
a hairs breadth of the heavy gilt
frame. The painting was 171s by
21g inches.
There are two floors to the south
art room, one leading into a second
art gallery. and the other into the
tapestry room Owing to that fact il
is thought that the miscreant had ae-
completes posted to give him warning
of the coming of any one into the
gallery.
Picture Not Well Known
The painting belonged to Minet's
earlier PASTORAL period. and was
created about the time of the AngeIus,
although it was not nearly so well
known as that painting. Few artists
and art collectors could be found yes
terday who were at all familiar with
the work. although il has hung in the
art gallery at the park for several
years. The painting represented a
shepherd standing among his sheep.
silhoutted against the skyline. The
eoloring of the work was excellent.
There seemed to be a sad disagree
ciaI Policeman Lawson over the sys-
tenn which was to have been followed
if a theft was discovered in the nu-
scum.
The instructions have BEEN" said
Baron, that in the event OF a theft
mediately be given and the doors OF
the museum locked. and no one allowed
to pass out without having submitted
to a search. That was not done this
morning. In fact, it was half hour
after the robbery was committed that
heard of it,"
Denies Receiving Instructions
Lawson, the special policeman. said
that he never heard of the instructions
to which Baron referred
William Altman, assistant curator of
the museum, told curious story Of
the lack of celebrity on the part Of the
police in investigating or reporting the
crime
George d. Clark, the regular police
man at the museum. discovered the
empty frame about 10:15, said Altman.
He went and told Special Policeman
Lawson about IL. Clark is one OF those
practical jokers who is always sending
people for fool errands by telling them
things that are not true. so Lawson
did not believe him when he told of the
theft in the art ROOM The two men
disputed of the question for some time.
and it was not until half hour after
ward that Baron was notified.
Lawson said that shortly before the
theft was reported to him by Police
man Clark he saw a man leave the
museum with package wrapped in
newspaper under his arm. The fellow
seemed to be trying to hide the bundle.
but Lawson made no effort to question
him. The man was described as being
about feet 10 inches tall. dark COM
plexioned. slouchily dressed, probably
smooth shayen-
Soldiers Act SuspiciouSly
About the same time Lawson noticed
two soldiers in the armory room.