San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-11-23
A MAN INHUMAN
ATTEMPTS TO ENTICE LITTLE
GIRLS BY OFFERS.
An Awful Case Of Attempted Out
rage-He Is Sent to jail for
Two Hundred Days.

When $50 o'clock rolled around this
morning the police court room was filled
with respectable people, eager to get u
glimpse of one j. A. Smith, a man worse
than a demon, who was arrested yester-
day by Officer Harris and lodged in Jail on
the charge of being a suspicious charac-
ter. His case was the last on docket. and
when his name was called he came sneak
ing out of the prisoners corner with eyes
popped out, head Swelled, from the effects
of drink and disorder to himself and with
a look of cOntentment. which is generally
worn on the faces of such scoundrels as he.
The evidence was heard and the following
awful and exciting facts were derived
from same:
About three months ago Smith came to
Texas from New York and engaged with
the Arkansas Pass Railway company as
special operator. doing most of his work
at town called Rosenberg. Monday
night he came to San Antonio to settle up
with the company" as he stated. Wheth
er he did or not. could not be aScertained.
However, he did not leave the city but
spent his time in wandering around in
lonely places and seeking the company of
little girls.
Yesterday about noon he met three
pretty little school girls, aged IL years
each, and asked them where they were
going. They informed him that they
were on their way home from school.
Where is your School?" he asked.
''On Lavaca street. 1t is the Fourth
Ward school," replied one of the little
ones.
''Will You be out at o'clock?' he in
quired.
On being told that they would, he asked
each of them what their weight was, how
much they measured, and said he would
weigh thpnf. but asked them to go into an
alley and same would be done. One of
the little children asked why he could not
weigh them at that place and he replied
that he had his scales in the alley. He
endcaYOrcd in every way (uSing polite
neSS) to purSuadc them to comply with his
wishes, but was not successful. Finally
he-Said: IF you three girls go with me
will give you some handsome prizes. They
are pony and a tricycle.
When the proposal was made small
boy noticed the girls IN conversation with
the man and rushed up to learn what was
going on. When he reached the spot
Smith abused him and ordered him away.
The little fellow, realizing that something
wrong was being cOncocted. called the
children aside and sent them home, where
the story was told to their mothers.
1t seems that this subject had made the
same OttprS 10 HUE girls AT the seventh
Ward school house. but was not success
full.
The recorder then asked him for a state
ment. He said:
We'll | did not mean to harm the
children. was only in fun. | said all these
things in joke"
The recorder then made the following
remarks:
1T is coming to the point when our
children cannot go to school alone on our
public streets and it is time for the law to
be enforced. | have tried over 1900 cases
in this court and never have | had OcCa-
sion but twice to assess the highest sum
specified in the ordinance in a case of this
nature. ! will fine you 800 or POO days
and only wish could make it more"
Smith begged for mercy but was taken
to jail where he will remain until the 200
days are up.