Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1892-09-02

Editors CouRIFR:-We have re-
Gently read Of two remarkable Incl
deats in the annals Of crime. that
have made an Impression on our
mind that is hard to dispcl viz:
In a central Iowa town a lad OF
seventeen years had been granted a
new trial for the killing of his faith
er. A mob of indignant citizens, ii
is related, took the young desreia-
do from the Jail and hanged linn
from the railroad bridge, after the
rope was around the youths neck,
and he pleading most piteously for
his life, some one asked him if be
wanted to pray. The poor child re-
piled, l don't know how. He could
swear, steal and murder, but could
not pray. Where were the parents
of the dear boy, had they done their
duty. 1t used to seem hard to see
our sons march away in defense of
our country, but blessed are they
who sleep III soldiers graves,
rather than live to dishonor father
and mother.
Another remarkable instance"is,
Harry Slater, a lad of sixteen, was
before the recorder in Buffalo, NY.
charged with burglary in the first
degree. Finding himself cornegca
he confessed saying; Dime nov
els and cigrettes got the best Of me-"
Just think of it, in this enlighten-
ed nineteenth century, Il child of
christian parents graduated in crime
at sixteen. How can this be. You
say this is away off, rot here, why
bless you fathers and mothers Of
Elk Point, there are lots Of your
Logs stalking about the streets with
cigarettes in their mouths. They
appear in public places, and
ever in the presence of ladies with
the utmost eiIrontery and nunchal-
ance. And just here we desire to
mention the fact that there is a stat
ute against selling cigarettes to boys
under a certain age, and it should
be enforced. But there are people
who seem to care not & whit for any |
law. a merchant Of our town was
asked. Don't you disobey the law
wlen you sell that boy cigarettes.
Il don't know he replied I'haye got
the money for them" Such a bus
mess mar rs that ought not 20 re-
i've the patronage of law abiding
citizens.
1t is sad commentary on parents
when such men as Col. Hoagland
have to devote their life to the re-
claiming of the boys. The Colonel
claims that very few boys or girls
recomc criminals If properly train
ed at home.
The murder of Joshua Allen, by
his brother Leighton, and the sui
eide Of the murderer in Bonhomnle
county over q bottle of whiskey is
right near home. We could not
help asking ourself tho Other day as
saw a boy not over twelve years
Of age, riding a horse through the
streets Of our city, leading race
horse and smoking aeigarette, what
will be the vrintage. Parents, we
plead with you to care for your
boys. Do your duty, furnish them
something good to read, and a pleas
ant home.
Matt Gering, a former Elk Point
boy, is moving along up the ladder
of fame in great shape over in Ne
braska. We noticed in the Lincoln
dispatch to the Sioux City Journal
Of Wednesday morning where Matt
was made temporary chairman OF
the Nebraska Democrat State Con-
v%ention, and that he was nominated
Attorney General by the same con-
vention' We clip the following
from the proceedings:
"When Chairman Gering made
his appearance he WAS greeted with
mp ,lause. lie proceeded to thank
the convention for the honor c, IL
ferred upon him in a brief but elo-