The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-31
DAN BREAK ANY JAIL.
A 12-Year-Old New Jersey Mute Who
Is Terror 10 Keepers.
From, the Neto York Recorder.

a 12-E ear-Old New Jersey Mute Who
Is Terror TO Keepers.
From the Nelo York Recorder
Head Keeper James Patterson, OF the
New Jersey state prison. has charge of
probably the youngest criminal in the
United States. The youngster is serving a
two years sentence at "hard labor" for
burglary. When he was admitted into the
prison he was either IL or IA years old. The
boy claimed to be IA, while relatives said
he was but | years old. The boy is deaf
aud dumb. He was sentenced for burglary
at Egg Harbor City, Atlantic county, April
%, 1892. The deaf mute prisoner can pick
any lock he has ever seen. Charles Kroekel
is his name, and his criminal career began
when he was but 9 years old. He is the
son Of honest German parents, and they :,
with the residents Of Egg Harbor City,
dread the lads release, for, young as he is.
he at one time passed as the terror
of Egg Hsrbor." Prison Keeper Pat
terson has found the little fellow
white elephant, and he will
not regret his departure, although Charley
seems TO like the place and all toe keepers.
The boy was sentenced at hard labor ~
but what labor to give 30 small prisoner
was conundrum. 1t was decided to use
him as messenger, but when Charley
proved that he did not have to open the big
CRATE door i'll front OF the prison to walk 60
freedom the keeper gave ii up. The boy
could tiatten his little body out and era wi
through q grated door with ease. Then he
was locked in a cell. But IL was not long be-
fore the deputies learned that Charley had a
habit OF crawling through the aperture iu
the barred door through which a prisoners
food is generally passed 60 him. He never
attempted TO leave the prison, but would
make free use of the corridors, and write
questions on the slate given him when he
entered the prison, and get the old prisoners
20 answer them.
None OF the regulation red and black
stripe suits would come anywhere near f1t-
ting Charley and until one was made for
him be was allowed to wear his street
clothes. Now, Charley has always worn
knickerbockers, and when the prison au-
thorities dressed him in long trousers he
was very angry. He made an effort to tear
them of at the knees, but was prevented.
The first time Charley was arrested he was
sent to the school for deaf mutes at Tren-
ton. He was a bright lad but very:sly. He
was never In the institute when wanted
but always returned OF his own accord. He
gave the authorities no end of trouble. He
could let himself In or out at
will and he could get through an inoredi-
bly, small aperture. From here the boy was
sent 90 the JanesourR reform school, but
this place could not keep Charley, either.
He escaped three or four shines, the last time
by sliding down the lightning rod from the
third story. 1t is simply impossible for the
boy to keep bis hands off looks, and it is
only question how long he will be at lib
erty. he was sent to the state prison only
because there was no other institution in
tho state shat could keep him.
He-I will gladly share all your troubles.
She-I haven't got any troubles.
He-But you will have lots of them after
we are msrried.-TerGs Sifttngs.