The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-21
JOHNNIE JONES.
He Involves Two Officials in a
Controversy.

| In consequence of the severe structures of
| the Boys and Girls Aid Society since the
| publication of General McComb's report to
| the State Prison Directors in the case of lit
! tie Johnnie JONES'" Superintendent Heap
| yesterday sent the following communication
| to the Warden. which is self-explanatory:
SAN FRANCISCO. Jan. 90 1891
that through the publicity given the case OF
| John Jones'" we had been able to find him
| good home IN the country. where, If he behaves
| himself his future was assured.
| Now comes The following letter from the gen.
tleman, who kindly offered John Jones' an
| other chance:
1.-THE boy brought with me from the Home
| on the day before yesterday ran away this morn
| ing about O'Clock. did mol know 1t until this
afternoon. L have sent some kilograms after
him, but would not take him back. Will take
him TO the i. Home If l should find him. You
will obllge me by trying TO get me another good,
and make himself useful in return"
Should John jones' be brought here pro-
pose keeping him safely until you have an op-
poftunty to send for hin. aud In the meantime
since so much sympathy has been wasted upon
the young man, II is fitting that the Whole truth
According to his own statement. Harvey Wlles
alias John JONES'" left his home in Missouri
about year ago. His mother and stepfather
were very kind, and there was no good reason
for his leaving, except that lie wanted 10 60
West. Not once IN all those twelve months has
lie written line to any OF his people to announce
his whereabouts or detail his doIngs, for said
he, IT wanted TO settle down somewhere before
letting them .know." Arrived In Tulare County
store, the owner of which had him arrested for
burglary. Not liking the confinement OF Visalia
Prison he broke jail and soon afterward set
tied down" in the Elk Grove Postofice, winch
be carelessly mlstook for an empty house.
He had not even the excuse oil hunger for his
crimes; This he distinctly stated TO press re-
porter IN my presence, adding that lie had Just
earned some money.
1 believe that you were chiefly Instrumental
nj a ha ntTiA oil fINa4
society, while not very heartily welcoming a
possible source OF corruption among other boys,
was willing 10 aid as far as possible your benef-
cent intention. John Jones' had not BEEN here
twenty-Iour hours before was reported 10 me
that he had been sizing up the fence" with The
evident object of escaping. For a whole hour l
talked with the youth in my private room, prom.
ising that II he would stay here for a month or
Two, aud by good conduct make ii possible for
me 10 recommend him. would surely get him
some respectab!e employment, only TO receive
The discouraging reply, mo; guess IN go back
to San Queutin!"
but why, John? Don't you get enough to
eat here? Haven't you good bed TO sleep on?
Isur our school grand opportunity too Tor you
10 make up for neglected ecucationY Aud
then, for exercise can't you use the swings aud
rings and athletic ladders aud bars? Wont you
ny to be conlented aud earn record ?"
ION, yes, that's ali right, but over there can
get beefsteaks for Breakfast Instead OF mush and
milk. l am not obliged to be 10 "a so early as
here. They let me go all over tile place, and
have all the liberty l want"
The TWO years sentence had no terrors for
john. lie never asked Tue pardon. III was all
forced upon him. Neither could he be made TO
seriously consider what would come when the
two years were up. 1t being evident that this
determined youth would not stay with US, what
else could DO but request TO be relieved from
all responsibility should lie escape? The terms
of his conditional release from San Quentin made
ii imperative that L should notify You 10 fetch
him back, the words being: II In Case the said
Superintendent shall ind the boy refractory and
showing signs OF bad faith. and In his opinion 1t
would be unwise 10 give him his liberty, then
this pardon shall be null aud VOID. ana he shall
be returned 10 the State Prison al San Quentin To
serve out tile remainder OF his term OF inprison-
ment."
You asked that John might be kept a few dayo
longer IN the hope that an answer would come u
kilograms and letters oil inquiry alter his mothes
and The request was cheeriully granted Then
Game The publication OF a report, alleged TO have
been written for presentation at some future
date, to the Stale Board OF Prison Directors, In
which you several times feelingly referred To the
prisoner as a "chlld' and once AS an infant"
although upon his own showing lie was 10 years
OF age, and looking much older.
Expecting TO see poor little trembling lnno-
cent wah, who had merely appropriated for ful
a few pretty, worthless gewgaws, kiud-hearted
Indies and gentlemen, perhaps dozen all told,
came seeking au interview, which generally
ended IN intense disgust at beng 50 misled.
More than one moiherly woman came to weep.
but remained 10 pray that The Warden might
know how lie had needleSsly deprived her OF
sleep.
Among the applicants was one gentleman well
aud tavOraby known to the lad" who ATE
bearing the whole round uuvarnshed tale was
willing 10 accept Johns Uft-repeated promises OF
reformation aud give him a trial. ouly STIMULATING
that during such trial John should be kept apart
from The societys ward, whom This friend al
ready had In charge ian excellent boy John
was taken to his new home III the country. The
result have already stated, and privately, am
thankful that the END came so soou, because
neither property nor persons were safe IN Tie
hands OF This desperate young scamp.
ie, sk te neie tps questQp has
an answer l propose publishing this letter.
Society has done all that IL could
reasonably be expected TODD, and more; hence /
don't want the public 10 Imagine, AS some readers
OF your report did. that TO save trouble we ruth
lessly drmanded the return OF a mere ''child, "an
infant" To States Prison. "Jonn Jon s" de-
manded that himself. ana the sequel seems 10
show that for once he should have had his way.