Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1879-11-22
WHOLE NO. 2,296.
William ElIIOt's story es RHfs Ex-
perfences Whcn He Rau
away from school

] ~ EhAtOt-n AN0NN 81 aaIH NfAa
periences Bhcn He Rau
away from schooE.
N.Y. Word.
William Elliott, eleven wears old.
lived until last summer with his
| parents on West Twentieth street,
near Eighth avenue, aud attended
school. He was clever, but some-
thing Of truant. One day last
summer he was persuaded by other
boys to play truant. They Wan-
dered about the city all day and
when night came William Elliott,
anticipating a whipping from bis
father, was afraid to 80 home, and
announced TO his companions his
determination TO abandon his home.
The other boys were older than he
and supported themselves and the
parents OF one of them by stealing.
They received William Elliott, who
had good clothing and a little mon
ey, with open arms and he was TAX
en- into the organization with APP
prOpriate ceremonies, an oath being
administered pledging Willie to
eternal fidelity and secrecy. Then
the band of amateur thieves had a
supper and afterwards dance,
which Elliott thoroughly enjoyed.
His failure to return home from
school at the usual hour caused his
parents much 'uneasiness. They
sent TO the school and learned that
he had not put in an appeaTaIlce
that day and that for some weeks he
had been very ir.egularin his attend
ance and very Troublesome when he
did attend. An tlnsuccessfil search
was made for himand enllis disap-
pearance was reported AT Police
Headquarters and d general alarm
was sent out for him. But the po-
lice did not find any trace OF him,
and he was given up rs dead.
Yesterday afternoon his mother
and sister called on Superintendent
Walling at Police Headquarters and
told him the story of William ELI
otis disappearance and the search
for him. The ladies We're greatly
affected as they spoke of the miss
ing boy, who had been a great pet,
The Superintendent became inter-
ested in their story and directed
Captain Turner 10 search the acci-
dent and arrest books. He did so,
and found that on September 2T m
boy named William Elliott, eleven
years old, had been arrested for lar
ceny. His description was read to
the ladies, and they identified the
boy as their William Elliott, aud
when they were told that he had
been arrested as criminal they be.
came hysterical. II The records at
headquarters dill not show what dis
position had been made OF the lad,
and the ladies were directed 20 the
Tombs for further Information. But
they could get none either at the
'rombs police court or the Court of
Special Sessions. At the Jefferson
Market Court, however, it was
learned that the boy ha0 been there
on charge Ol petty larceny, and
had been committed on OrtOber
by Justice Bixby for trial in Gene
raj Sessions in default of $500 bail.
When he was questioned in court
about his relatives he remained ST.
lent. He was sent 10 the TOmbs,
and on October l3 was arraigned in
General SESSIONS where he pleaded
guilty and wat sent to the Catholic
PrOtectory. There he was found by
a World reporter last night.
81 was sent I'D school on July %"
he said, "but didn't go. met some
boys, friends of mine, who had a lot
Df story-bOoks and we went to a
she'd and passed the day reading
them. We all got very mnch inter-
ested in the adventures OF the he
roes, and we thought we should just
like to lead such life as they led
and do some great and wonderful
leeds. The biggest boy, whose
name was Bill, proposed that we
should band together and start out
IN search Of adventures, was
afraid to go home, as papa had
to give me whipping
4 he caught me playing trllant
lgain."
''What is your fathers name?D
he reporter asked.
81 don't want tell, but he is corr
lected with the elevated railroad
md has plenty Of money. / sup
)ose If ne knew / was here he would
,ome after me and take me hOme
md probably whip nae, as deserve.
But TO go on, as YOU seem 10 be in
crested in my story and perhaps
will write n dime novel about u.
)n the night of July -, that was
lot long after the Ith, you know,
vas taken to a lodge in Eighteenth
treet, between Seventh and Eighth
venues. There the parents OF one
If the boys lived. We had a royal
upper and afterwards we went ton
arge shed in the yard, which was
ii up with a few candles. The night
vas dark, and while there max
ng plans "A thunderstorm came OF
md some of us rot very much fright
med. Big Bill assured us that there
vas no danger and that IL was n
rood sign for Us. ! was 50 fright
med, however, that / wanted 10 go
nome right away, but they Would-
ut let me. That night slept In a
very cold room with two other boys.
In the morning we went out pros
)echng. There were six Of us. We
walked about In twOs, but Kept all
he time In sight OF each other.
vas taught to steal. / did not like
hat much, but soon got used to II.
We got along splendidly, principal
y picking pockets. All that we got
Ne gave 10 the keeper Oh the mouse.
On September q l was alone Un the
.crner of Twenty-fOurth street and
Sixth avenue. "A we'll dressed 'blUke'
anne along and / picked his pocket
II 30 cents. inst as | did SO aud
lad hid away the cash scop' hove
n sight. He must have seen me
picking the mans pocket, for he
an after meand cOllared Ine. I was
ocIsed mp, but didn't 'squeap or
live the other fellows away. In
he morning was taken To court
ind the Judge sglnt me TO the TOmbs.
IN "A few days / was taken Ia an0th-
r court house and the Judge there
sentenced me to this plaee, which 1
ike well enough"
"Why have you not sent word 10
1our parentsY 2
"Oh, / did MT want tO let Them
snOw / was here. II would break
ny mothers and sisters hearts"
Willie answered.
"You WON'T steal again when you
get out Of hereY'
"You can just bet ! Won't When
i q. -.