Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-05-25
BOYS IN TROUBLE.
Found Guilty Of Stealing Reyolvers
from Stores in This City.
Tell Very Various Stories- Clever Piece Of
Work BY Detective True.

Hlchard Fitzgerald, Frank Themes,
and Arthur Fuller (colored), all aged
about y years, were found guilty by
Judge Andrews. Saturday morning, of
the theft of revolver apiece from the
store of f. H. Jenkins on Cony street,
Tuesday evening. May 10. The re-
spective fathers of the boys were pres
ent and appealed the sentence of 30
days in Jail imposed. and the boys were
placed In 5000 bonds for their appear
ance at the September term Of court
Detective Ira NJ. True of Hallowell,
has done persistent and clever job on
this case. from the start. rhe accusa-
ton and subsequent conviction of the
boys is a direct outgrowth of the hear
ing held, Thursday, OF the two men dis :
covered in the hay in the barn of Col.
Elias Milliken. Wednesday morning. 1t
found on the person of one of the men,
Lorenzo Lambert. This revolver, he
said, was given to him by Arthur Full
Ter, the colored step-son of Leforest
Croker, with whom Lambert stopped
Young Fuller told varying stories
about where he had obtained the revolt
yer. The circumstances were peculiar,
and Mr.. True concluded that something
was wrong. He accordingly had fur
the:' conversation with young Arthur
He "buttonholed' the little fellow, and
after some talk with him. finally sue
ceeded in getting what subsequently
proved by the testimony of the two
other little thieves, a perfectly true
statement of affairs
He said that, Tuesday afternoon,
each one of the three boys. he included.
helped himself to revolver in the store
Of f. Fl. Jenkins. 1t seems that the
clerk of the latter was in charge at the
time. but through press of business.
failed to see the boys take the weapons.
This is practically the conclusion of the
final stories of the other two, who.
however, at first said that Fuller took
all three, together with some cart
ridges, giving them to young Themes.
who in turn. to hear Fitzgerald tell it.
gave one to the taller. in exchange pay
ment for a watch which Themes had
some time previously received of him.
This was evidently a story gotten up
by FITZGERALD to assist in relieving him
self of the charge of receiving the
goods knowing them to be stolen. He
added that he did not receive the pistol
until Wednesday. The affair is Fitz
gerald's second offence. he having been
placed under bonds to appear before
the September term of court, last win
ter. for assisting in the theft of tobacco
from the store of Lee & Wadleigh.
After they had received their SEN
fences. Detective True had another lit
tie talk. this time with Fitzgerald The
latter owned up that all had had q
hand in the robbery.
Mr.. Fitzgerald is Woodworking,
honest appearing man. and is evidently
doing all he can to make his Richard a
good boy Charles Themes. father of
frankie, was much cut up over the lat
ter's doings, and no one seems to attach
the slightest blame to either of them
for the boys unseemly conduct.
Arthur Fuller. the little negro boy.
whose little brown eyes filed with
tears. while Master Fitzgerald was
laughing at the situation. certainly de"
serves credit for his honesty, when
once he realized the situation. He says
the ether two, or one of them. threat
ened to lick him if he gave them away.
On being assured by Mr.. True that he
would stand between them. little Ar
thur felt better, and let himself out.
and is generally believed. He says he
won't do no more stealin'.'