The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-05-05
A TOUGH YOUNGSTER
He Carefully Planned to Rob and
Murder. .-.
ELS REMARKABLE CONFESSION,

Old, lie Waylaid and Killed
the Aged Cashier of an Estab-
lishment from Which He Had
Been Discharged.
NEWARK, N. j., May 5.-People in
this city are almost dumbfounded at the
discovery that the slayer and plunderer
of old Thomas Hayden, the cashier of
the Potter straw hat factory, is a lad of
IS years. The coolness with which the
the boy tells of his matured plan for
killing his victim, and the methodical
way in which he executed his purpose,
place him among the criminal phenom-
ena of the nineteenth century
Alden Fales is barely Is years old. He
has the appearance of a rather weak lad.
He is 8 feet inches in height, and weighs
about 120 pounds His complexion is
sallow, his eyes are blue, his nose
crooked, and his ears, which are small,
stick out almost at right angels with his
head.
The whole appearance of the boy is
diminutive. His father committed sui
eide three months ago. His mother is
sister of Alonzo and Spencer Egbert,
burglars, who are now serving five-year
sentences in Trenton prison, having been
convicted mainly on evidence furnished
by Mrs Fales and her precocious son,
Alden.
A Mysterious Murder.
Thomas Haydon's murder had taken
its place on the long list of New Jerseys
criminal mysteries. 1t was done be-
tween 10 and II o'clock Saturday fore
noon in private hallway of the Potter
factory, 73 Mulberry street Superin-
tendent Brown and Chief of Police
Hopper, after careful investigation, con-
cluded that only some big burly, pro-
fessional criminal could have commit
ted the murder, and notorious Joker
Lang, who fitted this theory, was ar
rested.
Later investigations, however, led to
the arrest of young Fales, who had re-
Gently been discharged from the factory
for misconduct. 1t was learned that he
had been spending money freely, and
this of itself was enough to arouse sus-
plcion.
At police headquarters the boy
startled all by his coolness, showing not
the slightest symptom of fear or bravado.
81 suppose you know what you are
arrested for, Alden?' said Chief Hopper.
Yes" replied the boy. Thrusting
his hand into his pocket, he continued,
81 might as well begin with this"
Then he tumbled lot of money on
Chief Hopper's table. There was 1895.
The chief informed him that he was not
obliged to say'a word in answer to ques-
tions, and warned him that anything he
did say would be used against him.
The Boys Confession.
81 know it," replied the precocious
boy murderer, and then he made a full
confession.
81 knew that Hayden went to the
bank for money every Saturday, and
that he was the only one who used that
hallway. wanted some money to get
out of town, for | couldn't get work
here, and decided to get it from him.
got balestick at Deans stable, and
wrapped it in newspaper. | went
down to the factory and stood behind
the door half an hour when along came
the old man and pushed the door buck
against me.
"When he stepped towards the stairs
I hit him on the head with the stick.
"EIe fell forward on the stairs, and
then, when he tried to get up, hit him
again three times, on the head every
time, I'm pretty sure. Then he lay
still"
The police officials, who are used to
deeds of violence and to dealing with
hardened criminals, stood aghast as this
mere boy told this story.
"He didn't stir, and | reached down
into his pockets and took out two bags
OF money and $40 in silver besides. The
bags were marked $3.50 apiece, but the
$50 had been scratched off from one of
them. didn't count the money, but
that's all I've got left
II told my mother that l was at work
as collector for firm and gave her $50.
Then | bought this cap and suit of
clothes, and had a carriage all day yes.
terlay and again today. | bought some
other things, only meant to stun the
old man. didn't mean to kill him."
The Murder Carefully Planned.
The boy further said that he intended
to 80 to Boston, where he Thought he
could get a job at $40 IA week, but when
he found that Hayden was dead he
didn't dare leave for fear it would at
tract suspicion to him.
The boy supplemented his confession
by saying that for two weeks he had
planned to rob Hayden. He selected
Saturday because he knew that the pay
roll that day would be heavier than
usual, being for two weeks instead of
one.
A seven chambered revolver, loaded
with ball cartridges, was taken from the
lad, He said he had owned it year or
more. The rest of the contents of his
: pockets were such as an average boy
might have-a jackknife, top, string
and the like.
When Justice Hayes committed him
to the county Jail to await the action OF
the grand jury he returned to his cell
with an unconeerned air.
rming Reports Contradicted,
KANSAS CITY, May T. ! special from
Kingtisher says that Governor Seay has