The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-08
YOUNG FOOTPADS.
Boys Who Played at Black
Bart.
They Stop Hubert Baker on the Street
and Rob Him - All Are
Arrested.

A fine looking lad about 70 years old, with
books under his arm, trudged and ambed
his way along Washington street, near La
guna, yesterday afternoon.
The boy was Hubert Baker, the son of the
late senior partner OF the firm of Baker &
Hamilton. as fine looking lad as one would
wish to see-neat, tidy, bright rosy cheeks
and large eyes.
Unknown to him, and behind him. were
three oher boys-wild. reckless, harum
searum boys. In fact, there were unmis-
taxable signs of wckedness on their dirt
stained faces. They were not neat and
tidy for their clothes were dirty and torn.
their collars stained and muddy and their
shoes were covered with a goodly amount Of
the native soil.
In their eyes were evidences of a deep.
desperate resolve. and as they crept behind
young Baker they spoke in whispers. In
their voices was concentrated a sort OF sup
pressed excitement. They had determined
to do something of a desperate character.
Young Baker went on his way toward
home. whistling. Behind him, nearer aud
nearer, came the three young Williams who
were to do him wrong.
There he is! Let us run on him now
with a rush." said one of the party of des-
perados.
mo; let's get nearer. so that he can't
escape." said another And they cTept
closer to their victim, going on tiptoes and
speaking in whispers.
You catch him around the neck. Dam"
whispered the smallest of the party, timidly
shrinking in the rear to, run in case OF
trouble.
John, you search his pockets while l
hold him; but mind the divvy now"
''Pll grab his watch il he has one" said
the small boy in the rear. anXlously looking
around.
"Say, boys, there's no cops in sight?'
No, no. NJ" all three whispered.
Then let's at him!'
With that they made rush for young
Baker. The eldest boy grabbed the victim
by the neck. and. being older and stronger,
easily held him.
Bakers books fell from his arms. but he
managed to gasp out in establishment:
Say, boys, what Is the matter with you?"
I'm Sidney Bell" said one.
''Pm Black Bart. you bet" said the sec
ond. Come now hurry w, boys. Let's get
through quick or we'll be caught"
With that they took Bakers oeerl-handled
knife and his watch aud were much disap-
pointed In not finding any money. TIE
youthful f0otpads rapidly concealed the
spOiis made rapid tracks from the scene of
their 70 bbery.
Young Baker began to sob at the loss of
his watch, given him as a gift by his dead
mother. He returned TO the Pacific Heights
School and notified his teacher, who speed
lily communicated with the North End sta
ton by telephone.
In a very short time three big bue-coats
were roaming in the vicinity Of the robbery
From the description given they soon
gathered in Daniel Sullivan aged Is, John
sullivan, aged II, and Oscar hayden, aged
II years. Officer Flynn marched the trio of
youthful fOotpads down 10 the North End
station, where charges of robbery were
placed against their names.
In the prison the youthful criminals be-
gan to think that playing Black Bart and
Sidney Bell was not so funny alter all, and
they each began to accuse the other Of hav-
ing been the prime mover and promote of
the desperate scheme.
Daniel Sullivan was the boy who grabbed
Baker by the neck, while the other two
ritied his pockets.