The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-11
BAD AS DAVID COULTER
Another Boy With No Idea of.
the Value
Of a Moral Character Sentenced
to States Prison.
Jacob Willitts of Wabaunsee County
Laughs and Jokes About His
Crime and Sentence.

In his cell at the county jail, 18 years
old, Jacob Willitts is singing and
laughing, though he has just received
a three years sentence at hard labor
in the state penitentiary.
A few years ago the boys grandfath-
er was the owner of one of the largest
ranches in Wabausee county, and his
father, George Willitts, managed the
place His grandfather, for whom he
was named, now lives in California, and
his father is in Oklahoma
The boy furnishes one of the most
startling examples of total depravity
ever seen in TOpeka--eVen more so
than David Coulter. He seems to take
his prospective imprisonment as a joke
and never since his arrest has he eX-
hibited the least concern or expressed
regret at his situation or his crime.
The boy is slender with a face full of
recklessness. His forehead is low and
narrow and he is just such an indiVid-
ual as a close observer would conclude
the dime novel class of literature would
impress. He wants to be somebody, -
and his idea of a great man is to stand
as a peer to Bill West, Bill DOoIin or
the Dalton brothers.
Willitts was arrested at Alma. He
stole a horse and buggy belonging to
0. S. Perkins. He united the horse in
front of MarshaII's band room and
drove to Alma one night, but made no
further attempt to escape. He was
found by the officers and brought back
rested, made no show of resistance and
laughs still.
When he was taken before Judge Ha-
zen for sentence he sIouched into the
court room behind a deputy and drop
ped into a chair with a smile on his
face. Judge Hazen eyed the young
man and when his case had been reach
ed he asked the boy to Stan0 up. He
got up languidly and stood with his
weight resting on one foot.
1T seems to me that you take this
more as Joke than anything else,
said Judge Hazen. You do not seem
to realize your position. You have
pleaded guilty and itsSis my duty to
sentence you. What have you to say
before sentence is passed?''
II have thing or two to say, replied
Willitts. You talk about me taking
this as joke. It is just as easy to
laugh as to cry and besides when I
was brought down here did not ex-
pect that you would turn me loose. I
know I pleaded guilty, but believed 1
could beat the case because you have
your dates mixed. took the horse all
have stuck me.
You have got me and you can do
what you please with me but do not
want you to think that 1 wanted to get
away. knew I was in for it when
they brought me down. Go ahead, I
am ready"
Judge Hazen looked startled. The
few loungers in the court room almost
held their breath. A beardless boy
standing on the Intel of the state pen
itentiary had defied the judge on the
bench who was about to sentence him.
Nothing like it had ever occurred be
fore. An old criminal might have beg
ged for mercy, but a young man IN
used to courts usually hangs his head
with shame and remains silent.
When Judge Hazen had partially re-
covered from the shock, he said:
THE lowest sentence I could give you
is one year. sentence you to three
years in the state penitentiary at hard
labor
Here, want to say one thing more,''
said young WilIitts, but Judge Hazen
suppressed him and ordered him taken
back to Jail. On his way back he
laughed and jol1ed about his sentence.
THAT was easy" said he. THE old
man seemed to think that 1 expected to
be let off,