The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-10-09
LITTLE BOYS In A ROW.
Their Theatre Party, What Preceded
1t and What Came of II.
A Busy Forenoon With Judge Robinson
Some Boys Give Bail.

Some Boys Give Bail
There was general air of business
about the municipal court room Thurs
day morning. There were more police
officers than usual about 1T, and thef
audience was of that serious and an
xious character that betokens some
things more than the usual drunks: One
settee was largely occupied by a row
of well-dressed, sad-appearing women.
Their presence was explained when
the police brought in II boys, some Of
them SO small that their little heads
scarcely appeared above the rail of the
dock. The women were mothers of she
boys, and had come to see what would
befall their offspring.
When the cases of the little boys were
called, 1t was found that they were
charged with burgl airy. FirAt were
arranged Edward Burke, Charles Lang,
Edward F1aherty. Timothy ]. Casey.
and George J. Barnes. They were all
little fellows, and they presented sad
spectacle as they stood up and boldly
pleaded not guilty. Burke was represent
ed by W. H. Looney. The others had no
counsel. The first witness against them
was Mr.. Thomas L. Briggs, who told
how he discovered that his store had
been entered on Sunday, October 4. and
50. II and some Canadian cents, (about
81. SOY taken from the money drawer.
He judged that it was the work Of boys.
az tall hat in the store bore evidence
of having been used as a foot ball He
thought they entered by broken win
dow pane, about ten inches square.
Officer Eicxett testified how he re-
covered some Of the Canadian coins at
the Palace theatre, Of Mr.. Little6eld.
The boys were within, enjoying the play.
He sent for them and as they came out
one of the boys slipped some more Of
the coin QUITO railing. Burke admitted
his guilt, saying that he and Lang
went In, while Others remained on the
watch with out. On oross-examination
the witness said the boys knew they
were under arrest, and that he held Gus
no Inducements to them to obtain their
signatures.
City Marshal Trickey testified also
as to the admissions made by the boys.
charge in his office, and they connected
George J. Barnes with it. The judge
ruled that this testimony as regarded
Barnes was not admissible, Barnes not
having been present when the state
ments concerning him were made.
but did not snter the store. Casey also
went to the store, but did not enter. and
being found by his brother, was tax
en- home.
Deputy Sterling testified that Barnes
admitted having gone to the store and
having watched on the outside.
Next Patrick Burke, another boy.
older brother Of Edward, WAS arraigned
for having received some of the stolen
Canadian coins. Patrick Burke WAS
one of the theatre party, and told the
officer that his brother gave him the
money. City Marshal Trickey testified
that Burke told him the money WAS
given the baby at home. to play with
and he took it. He left it ON a railing
in the theatre gallery when he was
summoned by the police. Patrick put
it there for safe keeping. The witness
could not testify that Patrick had adj
mited that he knew the money to have
been stolen.
Lewis ". Littleheld manager of the
Palace theatre, identified Patrick Burke
as having paid him Canadian money
Wednesday afternoon
James B. Haddioan, a small boy who
had been one CT the theatre party, testi-
fed that Patrick Burke gave him five
Canadian cents to enable him to join
the party. Burke did not know where
Burke got the money. Burke took him
in because they ohummed together.
Deputy Sterling testified that Patrick
Burke told him he put the money on
the railing because he wanted to gave
it.
Patrick Francis Burke, aged II. took
the stand. He said he was before the
court about six years before for steal
ing paper. He said his brother Eddie
came home with the Canadian money
and that his mother gave it to the
baby. The baby scattered it about the
floor, and he thought he might as we'll
have it as the baby. So he took it and
went to the Palace theatre. He out the