Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-17
ONLY ELEVEN YEARS OLD.
sentenced 60 Twelve Months in the
Perltentiary.

60 Twelve Months In tne
Penitentiary.
Mention was made in our Sunday issue,
of the fact of boy only eleven years OF age,
having been received at the penitentiary
the day before, from McMinn county, and
who was sentenced for term OF one year,
at hard labor.
A reporter on this paper visited the penl-
tantiary Yesterday, in order to learn some
thing Of the boys history.
Making known his object, the reporter
was shown into the cook room, where Two
individuals we're busily engaged 10 the eui-
nary line. Ore of the two was a bright
looking little boy, with blue eyes and brown
hair. He was dressed in the convict garb,
the suit being so large that it had been
found NJ csssary to roll up the trowsers legs
and Jacket sleeves. He was busily engaged
in looking after two large pans full OF COZ
fee in process Of roasting. This youth De-
inc pointed out to the reporter as the boy
If whom he was in search, our representa-
tive began his interrogstories by inquiring
his name. TO which the little fellow respond
ed: Solomon David Reed.'
Reporter-How old are you?
Bowl will be eleven years old next
Christmas.
R-Whst are you up for ;?
BIN up for house breakin'.
R-When were you arrested?
B-About four weeks ago. (To the
ssboss cook'':) See here, Amt this coffee
burniD'?
The cook decided, after very short ex-
animation, thatTthe coffee was burning, and
at the request Of the reporter the boy was
relieved for a short time in bis cooking OPP
erations, youthful darkey being called to
take his place.
R.-Sit down and tell me al about how
it is that you are sent to the psnitentiary at
your age.
menced: Nv brother-in-law, Jim Primer.
told me that there was store down In Cal
horn that had heap o. money init, and
he got me to go down there with him. He
said that if would 60 he would give me q
whole heap o money. He said he would
give me
HALF HE GOT.
That was the way it commenced. We went
| down there and be told me to stand out and
watch. and he went in at the wiuder.
R.-Wvll, what did you get?
B-I cot a pair Of boots, and Jim got 9
pair of breeches, a pair OF boots, SHIRT
pattern and some tobacco and that's about
all.
R.-Why didn't you take more?
B.-Well, we didn't want any more.
RI thought you vent there for money;
B.-Well we got some money-We goi
about twenty dollars, and be give me h9l
of it. After we broke open the store, we
went that night to Athens. They sent
mea out to look for us that night. They
sent the news by the telegraph. We GVeC
at Athens, and they got us there the next
morning. Ny brother-in-law lived at oui
house.
R-Are YOU father and mother living?
B-Yes sir. My father was S OF in th'
ann during the war. He wasn't IN th'
army, but some soldiers got TO quarreliiDg
! with him and shot him. l have three broth
ers and two sisters.
R-What does your father do for liV
ing?
and sisters help him.
R-What does your br0ther-in-laW-thi
jim Primer Go?
| Bile don't make baskets. He work
| out on farms, when he is at home. He
here in the penitentiary now. They sen; bin
her5
FOR FIVE YEARS.
R.-Haw long have you lived in Athens:
B.-Only Don't year-lye lived II
| some other country before we CaEIe to Attn
ems, but don't know what country it was
l know the town waB MarysTIlle
| R.-What State is It iDr
B.-I don't know. don't know nOthin
bout States.
R-Have you ever attended school?
B.-WeI. yes sir, have been at school
but it wasn't worth anything. l never go'
no learnin' there.
Rid your father attend your trial, o
make any effort to help you?
BIO sir. Ny mother and sisters wa
there. My father hsin5 got much sense
| Hes sort o foolish. He's been that wa
ever since he got married. He was smaT
enough when he was young man.
R.-WeI, l suppose you don't want to d
any more house breaking, and that whel
your year is out, you will try and be bette
boy?
B.-Yes sir, COMPATIBILITY When
get out of this, l intend
TO BEHAVE MYSELF.
This is the first time ever done any
thing Of that kind and don't want to d
any more.
The little fellow answered al the ques
tious asked in very ready manner, bein
evidently disposed 10 tell the truth with re
gard to the matter. He seemed 10 be We
satisfied with the treatment he receives
the hands Of the Warden aud his assistants
ana saws that if they will leJ him stay i
the cock house, he VICE along very vel
He is probably the youngest conVict eve
received in our State Prison. His appea
ance is not that OF vicious or depraVe
boy, aud, with proper training, he Woul'
no doubt, grow up to be an honest maj
He is quick-witted and possessed Of an III
usual amount Of sense for boy Of his ag