The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-15
The Little (freus-Boy

LEO LAwHENCE's COMPLAINT AGAINST MR..
POREPAUGu, JR.
A philadelphia telegram says: The boy
Leo Lawrence. professionally known as
"Leo Carlo" who secured warrant Mon
day for the arrest OF young Adam Fore
paugh. charging the circus-man with hay
iny cruelty beaten him. presented himself
mt the Central station Tuesday at the time
fixed for the hearing. His face bore the
traces OF his masters brutal treatment,
and he limped painfully as he entered
the room. His hands and arms were
swathed In bandages, and he evidently sur
fcred. The defendant did not put in an
appearancc, but in his stead came his father,
Adam Forepaugb, ST., who explained that
his son had started for Chicago last eve
ming before he knew OF the issuance OF a
warrant. and asked that the case be post
poued for two weeks. lie entered bail
for his sons appearance at that time in the
sum OF 5000, and the matter was continued.
When Mr.. Forcpaugh left the courtroom
he took Leo with him. The boy is about
fifteen years OF age and says he
has been with shows since his in
fancy. His father, who was an old show
man, died in South America short
tine since. The boy was indentured by
bis mother. who lives in Boston, to Samuel
Watson, one Of the riders OF Forcpaugh's
circus. Watson soon thereafter went TO
England, leaving Leo in charge OF Adam
Forepausb, Jr., who was to superintend
his practicing during the winter. Leo
saws that the horse which he had been
using recently became disabled, and he
was compelled TO take "green horse" and
break him in. During this process he fell
several times, for which be was beaten. At
the slightest misstep the ringmaster would
cut him about the legs and body with his
long whip. He accuses the younger Fore
paugh Of having struck him with his fist,
telling him 10 the ground. At another
time, he says, the elephant prod was
plunged into his body. Punishment was
a matter of everyday occurrence TO com
pel him to greater efforts in mastering the
art Of bareback riding, until life became
burden to him and he decided TO make 4
complaint against his tormentors.
The society to protect children from
cruelty has taken the matter up, and Sec
rotary Crew came into the Central Station
Yesterday shortly after the boy had left,
with the intention OF having Leo placed
under the care Of Il society. " We shall
make every effort to secure possession OF
the boy; said Dir. Crew to n reporter,
"snd this man Forepaugh shall be pun
ishcd. He shall not remain in this city. /
understand he has run away, but il he
returns this charge will be pressed. Our
officers have frequently endeavored to gain
adlnittance to this training-school spoken
e OF. but they have always been refused. The
law does not recognize such a calling as
one to which child can be indentnred.
This abuse ought TO lie and shall be broken
up. at least in Philadelphia"
Adam Forepaugh, ST., on being asked
this evening where Leo was. replied that
he bad been sent TO Boston to his mother.
"Will he be present at the hearing in TWO
weeks 2" was asked. eyes" was the re-
ply, land so will my son, and that1s all
Tye got to say about it. The newspapers
have had. altogether too much talk about
the matter already"