The New York herald., 1874-12-10
REMARKABLE CRIMINALS.

Arrest or . Gang or Youthful Robbers
Depravity OF the Lowest Type-Las-
soing Victims ON tho Highway-His-
tory OF d Thief Fifteen Years Old.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. ., 1874.
For some time past the police authorities Of this
city have been troubled with series OF complaints
OF petty theits burgaries and the like. the perpe-
traitors Of which have carefully avoided all de-
lection. Houses would be robbed And no one
rested. Rooms would be entered. clothing, jew
elry and sllverware be stolen, and no one
arraigned. Indeed, the theits would occur
80 often and under such strange
complexlty Of circumstances, that for .
long time past the authorities have been
entirely banned. Last evening, however. q young
boy, John Webster by name, entered pawn
brokers' shop in the city and upon presentation OF
letter purporting to have been written By his
fatner secured an advance Of $50 upon gold
watch and chain. With Masonic seal attached.
The character OF the letter was peculiar tnat 1t
aioused somewhat the pawnbr0ker's suspicious,
which were confirmed when, alter watching
the lad, he saw him dividing the money
with companion. Webster was arrested,
and on his person was found $l9 95.
Upon subsequent investigation II was learned
that the other party was the thief and tnat Web
s,er had been simply dsposing OF the stolen prop
erty. Still later, through Weoster's talk, three
other juveniles were arrested, In tno possession OF
" nom were found many stolen goods and pawn
tickets calling Tor various amounts. No sooner
had the actual condition or affairs been made
known than the Chlef OF the Police ordered inves-
tigations to be continued, while Webster himself
gives TO your correspondent the following remark
REMARKABLE HISTORY.
ssn a s.a .GG rs S cI hCms aoous
other % Soofs .sV o that kind and made my mind %
n d.A IL so nSm iad S R dss
about lassoinx 10 Mexico and got rope ana made Il
aS Ss
Gssa .ad sSss men n
my sAps ~1s 1.o osS SS1 DOLLARS WEEK.
s%' =. s
and were to DO s. married next week; but I've BEEN
foursen other isiows Just like me lived With Fay
sssrsso ana n ne other itssn rs cent: nig
naked When business va, Is dull all Fay would gy, 1s
he would throw into old box and leave ~ alone
You see could change my appearance mighty quick.
This shirt Of nine has three ronts-a white one blue
nS sSi1. i9S ieons sS.Sas
sosnT1 s nGr run s
narrated It, Little Webster is young bright aud
Intelligent, while he delivered his biography In
the coolest, most nonchalant manner imaginable.
HIS history gave the police new wrinkle, and at
three O'Clock TINS morning the Chief, along with
several OF his best officers, made q raid
upon Fay's den. The place was located on Water
street, below Vine, and the appearance OF the
police was entirely unexpected. The place where
and abomlnsble, reeklng with foul air, nlled with
fumes OF whiskey, tobacco and decayinR garbage
and overrun with every species OF vermtn. Like
Fagin Of solver Twist" Fay was found with four
teen Of hts "angesn and taken TO the station
house He begged and pleaded 70 be Let 60. re.
right TO intrude, but all his prayers ana remon-
strances were In vain.
ANOTHER DEN CLEANED OUT.
The police also made another raid upon simi-
tnr den on Water street, above Arch, where nve
boys were found under the guardianship Of man
named Kelly. These were also arrested. Buckets
full OF trnkets and jewelry were found, along
with many stolen goods, great part OF which has
been already Identified. There were found numer-
Gus cases ofjuventle depravity 80 startling As to
Kelly and Fay had hearings before the Alderman
this afternoon and both were held under very
heavy bail Since the arrest Of the young thieves
many burglaries hitherto inexplicable have been
explained. Young Webster. rom lying around old
Fay's den, was covered with vermin. bus since his
penitent Though only fifteen years old. he Is
quite disciple to the "tender passion and says
that II s'they only let MIN 60" he'll lead o
new life with his girLwile, Fannie, for
guide. He also believes In 'Fate," and says tnat
2 fortune teller few days ago predicted TO him
that he would soon get into trouble. Altogether
he Is one Of the most remarkable prisoners ever
held In custody and at the same time one OF the
most valuable, as he says he can give the history
OF many recent burRaries, which up to this have
.nA q xa . tsa mill