The evening times., 1899-03-18
4 CRIPPLED FhGLD
given NINETY DAYS
John Boyd Uses a Small Boy
to Beg and Steal.
Detectives Call the Cushing House
a Den for Crooks.
Alleged Resort for Many of the Dis
reputable Characters of
the City.

When the case of John Boyd and Felix
Ward was called in Police Court today, a
man apparently about forty-tive years of
age, and a bright-faced boy who gave his
age as fourteen, crowded their way through
the prison dock and entered pleas of not
guilty to the charge of vagrancy.
1t was discovered that Boyd was a Grip
pie, having only one leg, wooden limb
acting as a substitute for the lost mem
ber Boyd and Ward were arrested last
night by Detectives Horne Weldon and
Boyd in the Gushing House, No. All c
Street northwest. Detective Horne testified
that while in Baltimore last week he was
told that Boyd was on his way to Wash
ington. This man, your honor" said the
detective, lis one of the best known crooks
and buns in the country, and has frequent
ly been driven out of Wasbington:"
The detective then went on to say that
il was Boyd's custom to take a small boy
with him 10 do the begging and usually
planned petty thefts for his youthful pro-
tege. Last night, the detective said. BOYD
was located in the Cushing House. The
detective, with two officers, went 10 the
house and found the prisoner in company
a table drinking beer This boy, your
honor" said the detective. has been
hanging out in this so-called hotel all
the winter and is a constant companion
of thieves and crooks. Last night con-
tinued the detective, when We entered the
house the boy was in conversation with a
we'll known burglar, whose picture | re-
Gently saw in the Baltimore rogue gal
lery.''
The detective added that the house al
All C Street northwest, is a common resort
for all the disreputabIe characters who
visit Washington. Lodging can be obtain
ed for 10 cents night and II is crowded
daily with beggars, thieves, burglars.
The place is run by 2 man named Walter
! Griffith" said the detective, and no et-
| fort is made by him to discontinue the
class of patronage that comes TO MS
house" Detective Horne's statement was
corroborated by the two officers who were
with him at the time of the arrest. Po-
! liceman Newkirk stated that he had fire.
| uuently arrested men in this house and
| that in fact. il was only patroniZed by
| such characters as the detective mentioned.
| 1t is the custom of this class of men,
| said the officer, Ito beg in the street during
| the day and congregate in big room in
this building at night and engage In all
! kinds of dissipation. AS many as twenty
two OF them nave Deen Iounu sleeplH6 III
one room"
The officer further testified that Boyd
was frequently seen drunk on the Avenue.
| sitting down on the sidewalk, with his
| wooden leg stretched in front of him. sell
| ing lead pencils. When Boyd took the
stand he claimed TO be a hard working.
| unfortunate man. He stated that ii was
due to his affiiction that he was compelled
| TO lead the life he did.
Step back" said the judge, II will at
tend to your case directly. The boy was
then called to the stand and stated that his
home was in Brooklyn. y. Y, and that he
| had been in Washington for the last five
months. Judge Kimball after question
| ing him regarding his life, decided to com
| municate with the chief OF police of Brook
| lyn and endeavor to have the boy sent
home. Boyd was given ninety days in the
workhouse. and the young boy. Ward. will
| be held pending an investigation OF his
| case or until some information is received
| from the Brooklyn authorities.