The herald., 1896-08-27
WILLIAM FLETCHER WEPT
And the Police Court Officials Had Com.
passion for Him
City Hall On. Of Glenn.
ency-Coart Notes

The last session of the police court in
the old city hall on Second street was
held yesterday afternoon, and the last
official act of Justice owens in the old
quarters was one of clemency.
Among the prisoners in the dock was
William Fletcher a 16-year- old boy ac
cused of petty larceny. He pleaded
guilty and was sentenced to thirty
days imprisonment. The boy told a
pitiful story of want and privation while
hot tears as large as biscuits coursed
down his cheeks. He said he came here
from Chicago some weeks ago, and, be-
ing out of money and unable to obtain
employment. he was tempted to steal Il
cartridge belt worth 80 cents, which he
hoped to convert into money or trade for
food, but arrest and Imprisonment fol-
lowed.
Il am not thief from choice, your
honor" Whined the miserable boy, and
if you will let me off easy this time [
will do my best to make living With
out stealing"
Il sentence you to pay a fine of $50
or go to jail for thirty days" said the
judge, and the youthful prisoner was
sent down to the tanks along with the
rest of his sfellowcriminals.
Just before court adjourned for the
day. however Justice Owens, Deputy
District Attorney James and Bailiff APP
pei. moved by the boys tears and appar-
entity frank and truthful story he told.
put their heads together ard decided it
would be best to give the lad his liber-
ty, so the court ordered sentence sus
pended and Bailiff Apple was sent to
convey the good news to the prisoner
The young fellow was overcome with
JOY and with profus;on of thanks
promised never again TO do anything
l.,.s-- i
self or his old mother In Chicago.
Among the other prisoners who con-
fronted the court We're j. Simpson and
John Smith, the two men who had q
fight over woman at the "4o0" saloon
Tuesday night. Both showed evidences
Of their recent encounter. pleaded guilty
to the charge of disturbing the peace
and each was fined so.
Rafael Felix and Eduardo Morales,
two Mexican youths who fought over
the affections of a dalk-eycd senorita.
were fined s. and SO respectively for
disturbing the peace.
All Kit, All Dow and All Quong paid
$40 each as a penalty for ensS sing in
the lottery business.
II. j. Lucas, VINO is charged with sell
ing furniture to q second hand dealer
which he had bought on credit of an
other dealer. was arraigned for embez-
element and had his examination set
for August 18th.
Frank Tiliman, whose true name is
said to be II. J. Butler. was arraigned
for felony embezZlement and held in
$1,000 bail for examination September
ID. Batter is said to have been at one
time manager of the American drink
cure institute at Los Gatos, but fell
from grace ard himself became the
victim of alcohol. During his course of
dissipation he is alleged to have COM
inited many petty forgeries ard recent
IS served term in the county Jail from
Santa Monica. He was to have been
handed over to Detective Steele upon
his release from the county jail, but
the matter was overlooked. He got
drunk, however, as soon as he was
turned loose and was landed in the city
Jail by Officer Fowler, who booked him
as Frank Tillman on the charges of
drunkenness and disturbing the peace.
While in the city Jail Detective Steele
recognized him as Butler, the man he
was after.