New-York tribune., 1917-07-18
Chased by Man in
Pajamas, Burglars
Sound Fire Alarm
Sleeper Forgot He Wasn't
Dressed and Pursued In
truders for Blocks

If Thomas Stewart had had scruples
against running down West 147th
Street yesterday afternooni clad only
in his pajamas; if Patrolman Patrick
Whelan had not in his off hours prac-
tised hurdling with the Irish American
A. c., and il New Workers did not show
a preference for chasing fire engines
rather than burglars, this story would
have different conclusion.
But, with things as they are, it ends
this way: Charles Joseph Miller.
twenty-sx years old, Of lo46 Madison
Avenue. was locked up in the West
152d Street police station yesterday
afternoon, charged with attempted
burglary from the apartment of Mr..
Stewart, at 447 West 142d Street. His
companion in the attempt escaped.
Stewart Was in Bed
Mr.. Stewart is a night worker. He
was still in bed at o'clock yesterday
afternoon when he heard some one tap
ping at his apartment door.
"'Tis the wind" quoth he, "and moth
ing more"
But the tapping continued and M.
Stewart arose, Poe-like, except for his
pajamas, and flung wide the door.
Whereupon two men gave one
startled look at his nocturnal figure,
dropped a couple Of chisels with which
'they had been prying at the portal and
started downstairs in haste. Mr.. Stew
art followed, one jump behind. He had
not overcome the handicap when they
reached the street.
Passersby then observed the spectd-
Gle of two earnest young men going
somewhere in hurry, followed by q
figure in the most summary OF cos
tunes, who shouted Burglars" at
each stride Of tis pajamaed legs. The
Joy Of the chase was upon Mr.. Stewart.
His costume was not in his mind.
Several persons believed his frantic
cries and Joined pursuit. At Convent
Avenue the harried fugitives parted,
one travelling north, the other south.
The crowd followed the one heading
toward Yonkers, and Patrolman Whe-
ian pursued the other. Mr.. Stewart,
by this time well winded, glanced once
at the spectators, once again at his
costume. and FASTENED homeward, al
most as rapidly as he had come, only
he did not shout TO call attention to
mis- progress.
Policeman Is Hurdler
Meanwhile the southwark journeyng
burglar had reached the building at 34S
Convent Avenue. This structure was
undergoing repairs, and the basement
door was open. Into this he plunged
followed by Whelan. Gaining the back
yard, the pursued man scrambled over
the fence He alighted with grunt and
Immediately tackled the next fence. As
he reached its top he saw Whelan come
sailing over the first.
The burglar was game, but he was in
no condition for race. At the foot of
the fifth obstruction he baked and
awaited capture.
"I'm hurdler," Whelan told him.
"You hadn't a chance"
Brother, believe you" painted the
victim.
All this while the prisoners associ-
ate was running northward, with his
pursuers well in the rear. Before he
darted from the avenue into side
street he paused long enough 20 turn
IT, a fire alarm. By the time his pur-
suers reached the alarm box the wall
of an engine siren came TO them. They
hesitated while the engine drew nearer,
and the burglar got further away. BY
the time the ladder truck arrived they
had forgotten him and were looking
for the fire.
Later MIR. Stewart, dressed less COM
! fortably but more correctly, appeared
at the police station and preferred
charges against Miller.