The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-07-14
A FEAR CRAzED BOY.
Pitiable Scenes at q Philadelphia
Coroner's Office.
YOUTHFUL MURDERERg TERROR.

One OF the Juveniles Becomes So
Panic Stricken Over the Terrible
Charge Against Him That He Il
Removed to the Hospital for Treat
ment.
PHILADELPHIA, July IA. = The sad
spectacle was witnessed at the coroner's
Office of two lads, the elder barely is,
who were present on the serious charge
Of having taken human life. Tho
younger Of the two was Joseph FitE-
maurice, aged IA years, Of No. 1918
South Front street, who stabbed John
Sobrieshi, Pole, aged 90 years, living
at No. TIT South Front street, in the leg
with Barlow knife on Friday night at
Front and Mead streets, from the effects
Of which he died the next day at the
Pennsylvania hospital
When bitzmaurico was brought into
the Office his mother became hysterical,
and at the conclusion of the case, when
he was remanded by the coroner to
Moyamensing prison to await the action
Of the grand jury, she grew nearly
frantic.
Overcome by His Mothers Grief
The poor lad was overcome by his
mothers grief, and was only saved from
fainting by the hurried application of
restoratives. He trembled violently,
and, unable to give vent to his feelings
in tears, gazed with dry but agonized
eyes at his mother, who followed him,
vainly calling his name as he was led
back TO the patrol wagon.
The evidence in the case showed that
as Sobiesh was passing Front and Mead
streets on Friday on his way home from
Harrison's sugar refinery, where he was
employed, he encountered Fitxmaurice
and his companions, who began to tease
him Sobiesh finally retorted by at
tacking them, and had caught one Of
the boys, when FitHmzarice drew o
knife from his pocket, and, according to
his story aisl that Of his companions,
threw it at tho Pole. SooioSki then went
to his homo, with the blood streaming
from the wound. lie was subsequently
sent to the Pennsylvania hospital.
Another YoathNuI Murderer.
The excitement created by Mrs. Fitz-
maurice and her son had barely died
away wi,ea the case of Thomas Crooks,
Jr., aged ID yoars, who disd at the Epis-
copal hospital on Saturday, from the
effect of pistol shot inflicted earlier in
the day by James CfoSsett, 10 years old,
of No 1851 Loithgow street, was called.
According to tao eviionce of Theo-
dore Grace, aged IL, Thomas Mawson,
IL years, and George Elliott, 10 years,
the three lads, together with the dead
boy, were playing III the Fairhill square
on Saturday afternoon when Crosstt
came along and asked Crooks to go for
a cents worth Of cigarettes for him.
Crooks retorted lauShingly that he
would go If he could keep { he change.
You won't go fsrW replied CroSsett,
at the same time pulling from his pocket
a e2-calibre pistol, and psinting it at the
formers head. There WAS a sharp re-
port, and Crooks fell to the ground NOR
tally wounded. He was taken to the
Episcopal hospital, but died soon after
admission.
His Composure Forsook Him.
During the hearing Of the testimony,
both in his own case and that OF Fitz-
maurice, Crossett had not manifested
any feeling. When called to the wit
ness stand he gave his testimony in what
appeared to be tho casIast aad most nom
chalant ma1nor. AS he was leaving the
witness stand his ooinpo5are gave way,
and he tottered in q dead fnint and
would have fallen but for the protecting
arms that were thrown about him.
IL WIS WIN eAJsctiie uhEGuIsy Cndl ne
was finally restored to consciousness,
and he was carried iAto the rear apart
ment TO reGover. Aftcr lapse OF over
half hour an effort was made to have
him sign his name to the iiisuisitian
sheet. Piteous moaas escaped from his
lips, and as ho took seat he trembled
violently. The treinors increased, and
both arms and legs twitehed conyul-
siyely.
An Alarming Condition.
His condition now grew SO alarming
that CoronsS Ashbridge said: This Is
no place for that boy. He needs i'm
mediate atte1tion. / will continue the
case. Talas him at once to the Episco-
pal hospital for treatment, and let the
doctors there telegraph me when b. is
ready to come here again"
As the boy was borne from the room
to the waiting patrol wagon the specta-
tors shuddored as they caught sight of
his face. The moaning menotone had
become almost Shrek, tho poor lads
eyes were distendcd with fear and his
mouth was distorted. He made wild
clutches with his hands, and the ex-
preston Of his face was that of ma
mac.
1t is said that ever since Crooks death
Crossett has been brooding over the af-
fair, and has expressed himself in NOR
&nl - L.. 4 l. l..