Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-31
BURGLAR At WORK
Robs Home of Capt. Travis, on
East Capitol Street.
OPENS DOOR WITH JIMMY
Job Believed by Police to Have Been
Done by Professional.
FAMILY ABSENT FROM CITY
Clothing and Silverware Stolen
Valued at Over $5oO-Detec-
tives Are Investigating.
FAMILY ABSENT FROM CITY

Following close upon the heels Of the
arrest of Percy Lee, alias Robert Jones,
the negro youth who was Appreciated
several days ago, and who later con-
fessed to having committed a number Of
robberies in the fashionable homes Of
the northwest section. the police depart
ment was notified late yesterday after
noon by Capt. John A. Travis Of zoos
East Capitol street that his home had
been entered some time within the past
week and jewelry, silverware and cloth
ing valued at more than $500 had been
stolen.
Upon receipt of the news Inspector
Boardman, chief of detectives, sent De-
tective Patrick O'Brien to investigate.
When the officer arrived there he found
that the front basement door OF Capt
Tnavis' home had been pried open with
a jimmy, and that marks from Jimmy
were also visible on door leading from
the basement to the first floor, which had
been pried open, giving the burglar &C
cess to the upper part of the house
Probably a Professional.
Tha. the robbery was committed by a
professional housebreaker is the opinion
of the police, and an effort is being made
by the central Office detectives and the
policemen throughout the District to run
him down.
About one week ago Capt. Travis and
his family went to ChautauQua, N. Y,
to spend the summer. They carefully
locked all the windows and doors Of the
house, after having secreted their jewelry
and Siverware in what were conceived
to be safe places in the rooms.
Thursday last several small boys were
playing base ball in front Of Capt. Travis
H. loh n fha
basement steps. When boy went down
to get the ball he discovered the door
standing open. He also noticed the scars
on the door frame and the broken lock-
Believing that some one had forced an
entrance to the place he told his COM
panions Of his discovery, and after they
had made an inspection of the doorway
they started out to look for policeman.
An officer from the ninth precinct was
found and to him they told the story OF
their discovery. The policeman went to
the house. confirmed the discovery and
then reported the matter to Capt. Daley
of his precinct Capt. Travis was notified
and he Immediately came to Washington
went to his home, accompanied by a po-
liceman.
When Capt Travis entered. the rooms
were found to be in indescribable con-
fusion. Table linen and other articles
were strewn about the rooms on the lower
floor, and on the second and third floors
clothing had been dragged from closets
and dresser drawers and thrown about
the apartments. Large pieces Of silver
ware which the robber possibly thought
he could not dispose of were left behind.
Takes Account of Losses.
Upon looking in the various places
where the jewelry and sllverware had
been secreted before he left the city. Capt
Travis discovered that large amount
had been taken. Articles of clothing were
also carried away.
None Of the neighbors remembered hav-
ing seen anybody entering the house or
leaving it. 1t is thought by the police
that the place was entered early in the
morning and that the robber or robbers
usd a f1ash-light lantern, as no burnt