The sun., 1896-10-30

well. where other interests conficted with
tho dominant ono, he was savage. Punishment
for misdeeds had effect whatsoever upon
him. Property rights in particular he would
disregard. not stealthily. but boldly and openly.
When he was about 0 years old he took q great
fancy to some marbles belonging to q larger
boy and attempted to take them from the owner,
getting soundly thrashed In tho attempt. A
week later he tried it again and got another
drubbing. A month later third fight was In
terrupted BY some men who saw 1t. Two weeks
from that time young Clossen wore the bigger
boy down In q tierce battle that lasted nearly
Of the mar bles When ordered to give them
back he ebelled asserting his right to them and md
two days rather than give up his prize
In time Clossen decided that he wanted bi-
cycle. Having reached this decision. he set
obUut getting ono. and went to work for George
HodEetts, young Bedminster farmer. to earn
the necessary money. Early and late he worked,
had aceumulated enough to buy his wheel ON
this wheel he used TO ride to and fro from his
He was a faithful worker. silent and painstak-
lug. and earued his money. But unfortunately
had loft a wife and child in England several
years before. and was working to save enough
be should have paid TO young 6lossen he used
for this purpose. Clossen learned OF II, went to
Hodgetts, and demanded the money owing to
II haven't got It, Elmer" said the farmer.
well. want IT," said the boy stolidly.
haven't got that much money to my name.
"Welf. want i now insisted Clossen.
"All right" said the boy and went away.
That vas in the latter part of August. few
I'm to ronr as to do S'sa FOR George @ Hodsetts." M %
w hat do YOU mean?" she asked.
He wont PAY me my money, and I'm going
E~r'; do that" cried the woman in great
fear. "He means to pay you when he gets the
He'd better get it pretty quick" said clossen.
asI. noe aG os
sen sss Il be- .Ss Gon ss m eat
where are you going2" asked his step
father. as the boy brought out his bicycle.
Down to Hodgetts," said Elmer, az he rode
nc tragedy at Hodgs.ts PLACE wa. swift and nd
young farmer eRnie to the door.
IL want my $40" said the boy.
told you I'd give it to you when get it." :,
- told you | wanted IL now" said Clossen,
and pulling revolver from his pocket he took
The bah hit H0dEstts in the chest He stag.
sen jumped on his Wheel pii and dr. rode I away way Three
hours later ho was found hiding in thicket.
This same coolness characterized his bearing
thronghout the succeeding events; The case
came TO trial last month. aud the defence was
insanity; but 1t took the jury only an hour and
aquerter TO decide that the boy was sane. and
that he was guilty OF murder in the first degree.
During tho trial Clossen seemed hardly inter-
ested. On his crosS-eIamination BY tho prose-
outing lawyer, Nelson y. DUNCAN. he constantly
took refuge in the phrase: Il don't remsm ber." )"
when the foreman pronounced the finding Of
the jury 1t seemed to disturb him worry little
and. although ho looked solemn when tho d cath
sentence was pronounced OH Monday, no soen
recovered his spirits and chatted cheerfully
with his keeper as lie was led out OF the court
room. since then he has appeared cheerful and
careless OF his fate.
Clossen lacks several months of being 10 years
old. He Is OF mediu size. stocky. dark of hair
and complexion. and has rather an alert, intel
lieent look. In his face there appears none OF
what Dr. Sordau calls the stiRmata OF criminal
deKeneracy. Most OF his time In prison ia passed
In readn ing and he talks but little. and not at all
about his fate. although mention OF It does not
appear disturb him. Tho Jail officials say
that they have never before known so stoical a
condemned murderer. and they believe that he
will go 70 his death AS stolidly as he killed
George Hodgetts.