The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-05-19
LITTLE BURGLARS.
Testify that the Big Boy Prompted
Them.

| They Gave the Proceeds to Him and He
Divided as He Saw Fit-A Sad Case OF
| Youthful Depravity.
| After the DRINKS had been sentenced
and removed from the municipal court
room, yesterday morning, six little boys
| were escorted into the dock, Two of
them were crying. They were all towsled
headed and rather tough-looking little
chaps, though several Of them were well
dressed. Their names ire BARLEY K ing,
Frank Leonard. Samuel McAlIister,
| BARLEY Feeney, John T. Ladigan and
Patrick King. They had been arrested
by Deputy Sterling and his officers for
stealing copper and lead and tools from a
| building Of the Portland Electric Light
| works.
Mr.. Edward Files testified that the
| chest that was broken open belonged to
him. Several tools and revolver were
taken. They had taken draw-shave
| and used 1t on the edges of the chest.
There was volt-meter in the chest,
worth $50, that they had apparently
played ball with, as it was all in pieces.
A desk upstairs was tipped over, its look
broken out and the contents scattered
about.
Horace Taylor, pawnbroker, Etesti1ed
as to the receiving of the tools by him
and the declaration of the boy that
brought them that they were not stolen.
Little FseRey, II years old said that he
had been arrested about four weeks ago
for stealing tobacco.
Patrick King, the largest of the boys
and much more ragged and tough-looking
testified that he was 10 years of age. He
said that he went into the building alone
and found the Ghost broken open and the
tools lying about. Pretty soon all the
little boys came down from the upper
story through hole. They were in. there
before he was. He took three of the tools,
a plane, square and wrench, because he
thought the place was vacant and the
tools. had been discarded, at least that is
the impression he intended tc convey to
the judge, though he didn't say 1t that
way. He proved himself very innocent
appearing and plausible witness, a little
too much So
Little Leonard, IL years old, testified in
weak little voice that Patrick King
went with them when they stole the COP
per aud told them where it was The
older boy smiled sardonically at this &C.
ousation.
Little McAllister, 1C years old, testified
with tears that Patrick King sent them
to steal the copper aud lead and then
sent them to Browns. where they sold
it. They only went to the building once.
Little Ladigan testified that it was
Patrick King who sent them to steal the
copper and then to sell 1T. They gave
him the money that they got for it. '-He
gave each of us 16 cents" said the little
fellow.
BARLEY King testified that Patrick King
stole the revolver. He only stole copper
He got 16 cents, the same as the others.
He spent it for candy. He is not
brother or any relation to Patrick King.
Feeney testified that he stole copper
and lead with the other boys. He didn't
know who broke open the chest. 1t was
uoAc WASA 10 WOE Np o0eslIo. ANO10 VI Uut
small boys would admit that they knew
who broke open the chest, though Deputy
Sterling said that they did know and
Judge Robinson questioned them closely
Patrick King declared that the accusa-
tions of the smaller boys against him
were call lies" and denied that he in
duced them to steal
Carroll W. Morrill, appeared for the
boys especially the Ladigan and MoAllis-
ter boys, who had good school record
and whose parents were ready to assure
the court that if only fine was imposed
proper restraint should certainly be ex-
ercised over their boys.
Judge Robinson called the boys one by
one up to his desk, together with their
parents, and lectured them severely. He
said that Feeney had been arrested for
stealing four times before and he should
send him to the Reform School.
Patrick King, if he was 10 years old,
which didn't appear from his looks was
too old to send to the Reform school He
held these two boys in $3.50 bail, till next
Wednesday for further investigation.
The other boys because this was their
first offsnse, he let off with fine of S.
and costs each.