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Story
February 27, 1904
The Morning Astorian
Astoria, Clatsop County, Oregon
What is this article about?
In Seattle, electrician apprentice Percy Roberts was arrested for larceny after bypassing his electric meter to power lights on a decorative Japanese fan, mimicking a method used by Chicago Sam to steal power for a laundry.
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Full Text
He Stole Electricity.
Seattle, Wash., Feb. 26.—Percy Roberts, an electrician apprentice, has been arrested on the charge of stealing electricity. It is claimed by the Seattle Electric Company officers who had Roberts arrested, that Roberts fixed up a large Japanese fan in his room to decorate the apartment. He thought it would look well to have the fan illuminated. From the end of each rib he fastened an electric bulb properly connected with wires. The lights were turned on, but Roberts found that it would be expensive to pay for the amount of the juice used. Then he heard of the arrest of Chicago Sam, a Chinaman, for tampering with an electric meter, whereby he lighted his laundry for nothing. Chicago Sam ran wires around the meter from the point it entered so that the current would not pass over the registering dial, but went on to the bulbs without registering. Roberts did the same trick. Detectives caught him fixing the attachment to the meter, which he did every night, and they arrested him. Now he must stand trial on the charge of larceny.
Seattle, Wash., Feb. 26.—Percy Roberts, an electrician apprentice, has been arrested on the charge of stealing electricity. It is claimed by the Seattle Electric Company officers who had Roberts arrested, that Roberts fixed up a large Japanese fan in his room to decorate the apartment. He thought it would look well to have the fan illuminated. From the end of each rib he fastened an electric bulb properly connected with wires. The lights were turned on, but Roberts found that it would be expensive to pay for the amount of the juice used. Then he heard of the arrest of Chicago Sam, a Chinaman, for tampering with an electric meter, whereby he lighted his laundry for nothing. Chicago Sam ran wires around the meter from the point it entered so that the current would not pass over the registering dial, but went on to the bulbs without registering. Roberts did the same trick. Detectives caught him fixing the attachment to the meter, which he did every night, and they arrested him. Now he must stand trial on the charge of larceny.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Deception
What keywords are associated?
Electricity Theft
Meter Tampering
Arrest
Seattle
Larceny
What entities or persons were involved?
Percy Roberts
Chicago Sam
Where did it happen?
Seattle, Wash.
Story Details
Key Persons
Percy Roberts
Chicago Sam
Location
Seattle, Wash.
Event Date
Feb. 26.
Story Details
Percy Roberts, an electrician apprentice, was arrested for stealing electricity by tampering with his meter to light bulbs on a Japanese fan in his room without paying, inspired by Chicago Sam's similar method in a laundry.