The herald., 1896-05-22
Only Nine Years Of Age, but
Charged With a Felony
HE ESCAPES PUNISHMENT
On Account Of His Tender Age and
Diminutive Stature
other Lunatlc Sent to Highlands
Over Q Dentists Bill

A diminutive boy named George
Houghton, aged 3 years, was before
Judge Smith yesterday in department
one to answer to the charge of grand lar
with a gentle. confiding face and inno-
cent blue eyes. and Is about the last boy
III a thousand that an observer would
pick out as a tough character. The crime
for which George was in court was the
theft Of SIS from the trousers pocket
Of a man named Edward Huntley. who
is employed at one Of the wells In the
oil district. Huntley had taken off his
trousers and put on an old pair OF over
alls. leaving the garments hanging up
In a shed near by. The money was left
In the pocket, but when Huntley re-
gone. During the afternoon Huntley
had changed $40 for q young man in
the neighborhood and put the money
back in his pocket in his sight, conse-
quently when he missed the money he
had the man arrested. This man had
seen George about the place, and he gave
the information which led to his arrest.
A day or two after the robbery George
was noticed blowing in money like
q prince. He purchased candy In un-
limited quantities, literally patronized
a shooting gallery and amused himself
by taking horseback rides. A man no.
ticed Georges actions, and concluding
that the boy had not come by his wealth
honestly, took the boy in charge and told
him that he would take him out to his
residence and find out about him. At
this time George had $68 Of the money,
and this was secured. George cheerfully
acquiesced in the proposition to go to
his home, and telling the man that he
lived out near the Baptist college, said
that he would accompany him AS a
matter of fact. the boy only lived short
distance from where he was found, but
he and his captor started out to the
house near the Baptist college. Arriv
ing at the place George went inside. the
little rascal ran through the building
and made his escape. He was seen be-
tured. when his little fiction was explod-
ed and he was locked up.
When George came up in court yes
terday. and his age was stated, with the
further statement that 1t was his first
offense, Judge Smith delivered the boy
a lecture, and the case against him was
dismissed. on motion of the district
attorney, on the boys promise to go
and sin no more.
1t is only fair to state that Georges
record did not come out until after the
charge against him had been dismissed,
or the promising yOungster would prob
ably have been committed to the reform
school at Whittier during his minority.
Instead of the robbery being Georges
first offense, 1t has been ascertained
that the youth had been In trouble be-
fore, and only a short time before the
robbery attempted to hold up a woman
on the street in the most approved high
wayman's style. His only weapon was
q big rock. and when he confronted the
woman and demanded her purse. say
ing In his most ferocious manner that
"he would burst her wide open" II she
did not comply with his demand, she
turned and ran, whereupon the boy
threw the rock and struck her on the
arm.
The case is a peculiar one. and George
may be expected to again appear in the
courts at any time.