The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-02-02
THREE MONTHS IN JAIL.
charge of Simple Larceny Substituted
for the Information in the Bur-
glary Case.


The case of Elton DeForce and Frank
swan, came UP yesterday in the justice
court. The prosecution Withdrew the
informations charging the boys with
burglary and substituted complaints al
leging simple larceny. to which the de-
PENDANTS pleaded guilty They were
each sentenced to Imprisonment in the
county jail for three months. The faith
er of the DeForce boy made good the
money stolen at various times, and also
paid for all articles of merchandise
which the police showed had found
their way illegally into the boys pos
session. There was diversity of opin-
ion regarding the sentence administered
by Justice Cleveland, some taking the
ground that the punishment was suffi-
cient and would have salutary effect,
and others claiming that in view of
the fact that the police were in posi-
tion to substantiate five charges Of
burglary, and one OF attempted bur-
glary, the boys were more fortunate
than they deserved.
The police have evidence in their
possession showing that the branch
store Of A. V. Allen was burglarized
by the defendants last spring and $40
taken out of the drawer. On October
25th another visit was made to the
same premises, and two cans of paint,
and quantity of chocolate, cigarettes,
and cigars taken. On the occasion of
the first visit to the store of the Hen
rickson Bros. the latter's loss was $27.35
The second time about $40 was obtain
ed, and two pistols disappeared with
the coin. These, it has been learned,
we're thrown by the DeForce boy into
river at Uniontown. The third attempt
to enter the Henrickson place resulted
in failure and q broken hand for the
DeForce boy, as already told in these
colurnns.
Captain Hallock, in making a search
If the De Force premises, found one of
the paint cans on boat and the other
in the paint shop. In his trunk two
pistols were found and taken to the
city prison.
Whether DeForce was armed when
he went ON his burglamzing excursions
and what use he would have made
with the weapons had he been caught
in the act Of stealing, is of course a
matter of simple conjecture, of which,
luckily for him, he got the benefit.
In passing sentence Judge Cleveland
said, in substances: You have been ac-
cused Of very serious crime, but the
state has been merclful and allowed
you the opportunity OF pleading guilty
to a lesser crime. You boys appear to
have been well brought up, and there
was really no necessity for you to steal;
but by your actions you have brought
trouble and disgrace upon your parents
and ignominy upon yourselves, No
doubt at this time there are two moth
ers weeping for two wayward boys. In
the hope that this will be lesson to
you and warning in the future, the
court will make your sentence light
one considering the crime. The sem
tence of the court is that each of you
shall be confined in the county jail for
the term of ninety days
During the remarks the DeForce boy
broke down, but the other was some
what stoical Both of their fathers
were much affected. Anumber Of peo-
pie interested themselves in the case,
interceding for mercy, and begging that
the boys be not bound over to await
the grand jury and forced to risk a
penitentiary sentence. Both cried Bit
terly on reaching the jail