The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-07-22
nat mr.

Wednesday IL leaked out that possibly
the dwelling Of Mr.. Eldridge Perry,
burned the day before, had been set on
IRE. At the time the fire occurred no one
was about the premises, all the family
having gone over to visit near neigh
Dor. Before leavtng, the house was care
fully locked and made secure, and no IRE
was LEFT In the stove or about the yard.
MARSHAL cREARY,
after bearing all the facts connected with
the IRE, had his suspicious aroused, and
directing the police TO arrest q certain
well known Juvenile, and on Thursday
morning be was captured and carried 70
the police station, and In conversation
with the Marshal be confessed 70 robbing
the house. The STATESMAN reporter had
a long talk with the boy in the MarshAl's
office. He Is white, and says be IL eleven
years old. He bears the unmistakable
impress Of the veritable street gamin Of
the larger cities. In the way OF shedding
tears he excels even Job Trotter, and the
and check them up is marvel. In his
conversation with the Marshal and re-
porter g said he and one other boy were
on their way to the watermelon patch be-
low town, and while passing Mr.. PerTy's
house observed that no one was about the
premises. The
BRILLIANT IDEA
OF robbing the building then suggested %
itself, and they proceeded At once TO put
it into execution. They entered the yard
and tried the doors and windows, and
fortunately for their purpose found one
Of the latter in good condition 70 be
opened. They entered the building and
stole good watch and chain and one or
two other articles, and then left the bousts
He says that after getting on
tie outside his companion took small
china bowl and went 10 his mothers and
filling 1t with coal oil returned and pour
ed it upon lot of shayings under the
house and, striking a match, set fire to it.
He and his companion were both under
the house at the time, and he says they
had trouble in getting out, the flames
spread so rapidly. His right arm Is slight
Iy burned near the wrist, and his clothes
bear udmistakable evidences of having
coal oil on them. After they emerged
from under the building he says they ran
down the street block and sat down I'M
til the fire was discovered by men pass
ing by. They then repaired to the scene
of confagration and watched it to Its final
winding up. During the recital of his
yarn the little fellow will frequently burst
out crying. and no monkey with his tai!
burnt of ever looked more doleful and
begone. His alleged companion, boy
about fourteen years of age. was arrested
yesterday but proved an alibi, and it is
more than likely that no one assisted the
young prisoner. Thursday morning be-
fore his arrest he entered the residence
of Mrs. Gray, near the Central depot and
stole her watch and chain. 1t was recov-
cred and restored to her. He has time
and again robbed different business
houses in the city, and hardly day passes
that he is not caught stealing. He has
been arrested often and the reporter is
never surprised at seeing him in The lock
up. He Is a sharp and intelligent little
fellow, and when asked by the reporter
''who made your Replied God" and
commenced Crying in the most pitiful
manner. "What will become of you
when you die if you keep on stealing!"
"I'll go to hell" and another food of tears
followed. "If you persist in your present
career what do you think the officers will
do with yous' "Ireckon they'll hang me-"
and the flow oftears increased in volumes.
The boy is q hard case and stealing and
robbing seems to be second nature with
him, and he appears to be hopeless case.
His parents live in the city and the re-
porter is informed are hard working, hon.
est people, and do all in their power to
keep their little son out of mischief.