The Jersey City news., 1892-03-16
A SCHOOL OF CRIME.
Theden's Den Where Boys We're
Taught to Smoke and Gamble.

A school for young criminals, presided
over by an individual who possesses some
of the attributes Dickens ascribes to
Fagin. was unearthed in Hoboken by
Truant Officer Desmond yesterday.
The lair was in the rear OF
combination candy and cigar
store. where boys of tender years spent
the hours their parents thought were
spent at school, smoked vile cigarettes
and were submitted to the baleful lnnu-
eDce of the proprietor OF the place.
The boys who frequented the den were.
until some weeks ago, among the bright
est scholars at Public School No. s. OF
which Mr.. Brewer Is the Principal.
About that time H. " Theden. middle
aged man, with light hair and sallow
complexion, opened a cigar and confec-
tionery store at No. 50 Willow avenue,
aud at once his place became resort for
the boys attending No. Public School.
About week ago the teacher in one OF
the low grade classes told Principal
Brewer that about a half dozen of her
best scholars, who had been noted
for their attendance and good department
were frequently late and absent from
school. One of the rules of the school re-
Quires that when a scholar is late or ab-
sent he shall bring a written excuse from
his parents. These excuses the boys al
ways produced.
PRINCIPAL BRowER's DISCOVERY.
While she was talking to the Principal
the teacher had two notes in her hand ex-
cusing two boys, named Wilson and
Meyer. Principal Brewer glanced at
them carelessly and was about to hand
them back to the teacher when he de-
tected similarity in the handwriting.
and he kept the notes.
Truant Officer Desmond was summoned
and he went to the homes of the boys and
learned that the excuses bad not been
written by their parents. When the boys
were about TO enter their class rooms for
the afternoon session yesterday,
the truant officer intercepted
them and succeeded, by threatening to
take them to the police station, in discov-
ering the author of the notes and some
other things.
The boys said that with several Others
they had spent the school hours in the
rear of Tneden's place, where they
smoked cigarettes, aud Theden taught
them to play cards. Whenever any
of the boys remained in the
den a few minutes after school had
opened, Theden would prevail on them &c
stay in the place. If the boys insisted OF
going to school, however, Theden framed
a nice little note and signed the names OF
the boys, parents to it. Then
he patted the boys on the
be sure and call again. None Of the boys
who frequented the den were over four
teen years old, and some of them were
only nine. The boys also lntimated that
Theden encouraged them in petty thefts
THEDEN IS PENITENT.
Desmond went to Theden's place this
morning and confronted him with The
forged notes. At first Thedan deniec
having written them, but 1nally admitted
being their author, and offered the paitry
excuse that the boys had asked him t(
write the notes to prevent them from {
whipping.
Theden was arraigned before Recorder
McDonough this morning. The Recorder
was undecided whether to hold him on 6
charge of forgery or not. The prisoner
begged so hard for his release. however
and was so profuse in his promises tina
the Recorder lectured him severely ant
naroled him