The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-04-07
Adopts IN CRIME.
Timothy Children Held for
Nearly Thirty Robberies
From Little Tots.
POLICE AMAZED At THE DISCOVERIES
Children Held Up and Stripped Of
Their Clothes-Mamie's
Confession.
POLICE AMAZED At THE DISCOVERIES

There was an unusual scene in Justice
Potts court today when Mamie Tim
othy, IS years old. and her tot of q
brother Johnnie, 10 years old, were ar
raigned to answer charges of larceny
from the person and entering and lar
ceny.
Although so young 1t is alleged that the
youthful pair have been holding up chill
dren, stripping them of their clothing
and entering houses and stealing every
thing they could lay their hands on.
With the proceeds they bought new
clothes for themselves and enjoyed Them
selves by attending cheap shows of va
rious kinds.
Some idea of their size may be imagined
when it is known that they were too
small to be seen over the railing of the
prisoners pen. which is only four feet
high. The girl is a remarkably bright
child ard seemed to be as unconcerned
as a hardened criminal when accused of
a dozen or more thefts. She held her
little brother's hand and in answer TO
Justice Potts said that she was respon-
sible for all the evil-doing. She said she
made Johnnie go with her and act as spy.
The tots began their career of Ihieving
on March s. That day they came upon
a crowd of children playing in Pavonia
avenue, and calling a particularly well
dressed girl into the hallway of a house,
Mamie Stripped her of her wrap, mufr and
hat, while Johnny lay in watch at the
door. He remained on guard and kept
the little victim a prisoner until Mamie
made good her escape with the clothes.
Almost daily since that occurrence peo-
pie have reported to Captain Kelly of the
Seventh street station, that their children
unknown girl and boy and relieved of
Their wearing apparel. Captain Kelly and
Detective Clark went to work or the case
and late last night arrested the Timothy
avenue. They were taken to the station
house. and Mamie, without any apparent
fear, declared in a firm voice that she
and her brother had robbed at least a
dozen children, and from as many house
had stolen rugs bicycles. tricycles and
household furniture of every kind. Cap
tafn Kelly was amazed. but he has found
that the story is a true one.
This morning when the children were
~arraigned. Frank French of No. 3T8 Grove
street was on hand to testify that his
four year old daughter Florence had been
induced to enter a halfway with Mamie
Timothy, where she was at once relieved
of her hat, coat. waist and a fur boa.
Mrs. Albert ]: Wilson of No. a2slk
says Mamie and her brother held up her
five year old daughter Margaret and
robbed her of her hat and coat.
Mrs. Frank Casey. of No. 20s Second
- AAA& l4lttl Aklo < l.
daughter Loretta had also been relieved
of a wrap and coat.
Most of the stolen clothing was found
On Nelson's pawnshup, at Bay and Grove
streets.
After this part of the hearing had
been disposed of Antonio Kolfeskni Of
No. 1SS Bay street, John Webster Of No.
10 Erie street and Mrs. Mary Mae
1Kinnon of No. 373 Grove street were ar
raigned to answer charges of receiving
stolen goods. 1t has been found that the
Timothy children made a practice of
pawning the stolen clothing, but the
rug and other stuff which they stole
from houses they sold to the prisoners
just named. In every instance Mamie
did the selling. She explained that her
parents were preparing to move out to
the country and that they were as a
consequence selling their household eff
fects.
Today the children were taken in charge
by Captain Kelly and they are showing
him the houses where they stole things.
1t is expected that about thirty com
plants will be made against them.
They are held to await the action of
the Grand Jury. Their parents are re-
pectabse people and work in q restaurant
in New York. They do not get home
until late at night. Their children com
united the thefts in the day time. Mamie
says she did so because she saw little
girls in New York do it.