The record-union., 1892-03-19
cooley" AND HIS CRIMES.
An AII-Round Sneak-Thief Held on
-Four Charges.
His Pal Relates How and Where the
Work Was Done-Cole Forgets
All About 1t.

The hearing of the examination in the
case of John Cole occupied the entire
forenoon in Judge Cravens' court yester-
day. Cole is the ringleader of a gang of
youths that have caused various residents
and the police officers loss, trouble and
annoyance for some time, their operations
being carried on along the river front and
IN the southwestern part of the city.
John Cole, Dan Keefe and lad known
as "Skinney" figure conspicuously as
being chiefly engaged in stealing what
ever they could carry away.
A large assortment of stolen articles re-
covered by Officers Greer and Gibson
were brought into court, many of which
the boys had disposed of to Hobo" Jake
Hudson, who was recently released from
custody owing chiefly to the poor char
acter of the evidence givenuby thei.boys,
Cole and Keefe. The stolen goods con-
sisted Of whips, harness, LaSh's Bitters,
pipes, lead-pencils, etc.
Cole was examined upon four separate
charges, and held to answer in each case.
The first charge was for burglary of
John Ryan's barn. Mr. Ryan identified q
harness which was in charge OF the
officers.
Keefe testified that Cole told him he
stole the harness, and Officer Gibson
swore that Cole acknowledged the theft
20 him and took him to where he had it
hidden.
Cole himself testified that 'on this here
day he was full - but being now sober he
denied everything. He never stole the
harness; never told Keefe nor the officers
'nothin'," and he dealt with apparent
truth in a very easy, on-hand and
familiar way. He somehow created the
impression in court that he was a fluent.
but unartistic falsitier.
Judge Cravens found him guilty, as
charged and committed him for trial,
with bail in the sum of 81 600.
The two next charges against Cole
were for burglariZing John Stevens
barn on February 10Th and 22d. The
evidence against him was substantially Y
the same, and he was held to bail in the
sum Of 81 900 for each offense.
Cooley" as he was atfectionately re-
1erred TO by his pal, heefe, was further
charged with having robbed Silva's gro
cery store, corner Of Second and @ streets.
The evidence went to show that on March
lst Cole got through the bottom of Silva's
ShOw-windOw and took away such arti-
cles as he could carry. He aimed to
secure variety, and his assortment con-
sisted of pipes, lead-pencils, whips,
purses, etc. Here he also acquired bot
ties of beverages, such as Lash's Bitters,
and some whisky and wine.
lie then went forth rejoicing, but after
q few drinks from his bottles he became
a regular Caliban, and wanted to convive
and be confidential with everybody. He
told keefe to go TO Silva's and get rich.
He called at the Capital Box Factory and
gave an employe named Van Tassel a
supply of his wealth, but that gentleman
proved so unsympathetic as to turn the
gift over to Officer Gibson.
Cole had a high old time" with
skinny" Keefe, and other friends, until
he came to grief.
On this fourth charge Cole was also
committed to the Sheriff, and his bail
fixed at 81, coo. Hence "Coley's" occupa-
ton is gone for a period, unless some
wealthy friend has $4,000 to devote to his
evil case