Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-10-12
CARTER CASE SER OUS
me Boys Attorney Pleads to have Him
sent TO the Ferris Industrial SrhnnI

- ~NNJ hht"rhby I1ehns TO Have Him
sent TO the Ferris Industrial school.
Inc case against Charles Carter,
aged about 10 years, charged with
acting IN an improper manner toward
Maggie Conway, aged II years, near
Hazel Dell track, on Wednesday week,
was heard in the City Court Friday
morning. Carter was represented by
l. irving Handy. At tho conclusion
OF tne nearing Carter was ordered held.
Ambrose Conway, Maegies brother,
SAID no WAS in the yard of their house,
near Hazel Dell track, cutting wood,
when no heard somebody cry out:
They are killing Maggie" He also
heard somepody cry out, Murder" I"
and looking down the railroad, he saw
ms sister down ON the ground Con-
way started toward the scene and whom
he got close he saw Carter tearing his
sisters clothes. Another boy, who
appeared to be with Carter, had rifle
In his hand, but as soon as Conway
approached he dropped the rifle and
ran away. Carter also jumped up,
picked up the rifle and started away,
pointing the rife at Conway. Carter's
clothing was disarranged.
John Conway, another brother Of
Maggie Conway, got his pistol as soon
as he heard of the attack upon his
sister and started after Conway and
shot at him, but did not strike him.
Mrs. Mary Conway, Maggie's mother,
saw the excitement down the railroad
and followed her sons. She met her
daughter near the scene and was hor-
rified to find that she was almost hep
less. The daughter had strength
enough to tell her mother she had heen
choked The mother dragged her
through fence and across q lot to the
house. On the way the mother bathed
her daughters face in water taken
from ditch, fearing she was going to
swoon. When they reached home Mrs.
Conway made an examination of her
daughter and found marks ON her
throat, which bore out her statement
that she had been choked. There were
other evidences of violent treatment.
George Rittenhouse and Edward
Hannagan, each about IA years of age,
who were with Carter, said when he
saw the girls approaching he said he
was going to knock one Of them down,
which he proceeded to do as soon as
the girls were close enough. Hannagan
and Rittenhouse detailed the actions
Of Garter, which agreed with the state
ment of the girl Thursday.
Attorney Handy made no defence, but
pleaded that the boy be sent to the
Ferris Industrial School, instead of
being committed to Jail, where he
might have to serve eight or ten years.
He called the boys father, William L.
Carter, who said his son was born Janu-
AIRY 11th, 1885, and is accordingly be-
tween IA and 10 years of age. The
judge showed an inclination to send
the boy to the Industrial School, but
ordered him recommitted until he can
confer with the managers and the State
authorities relative to tho matter. II
be should BIO sent to the school he will
be required to remain during his
minority.
Mr.. Handy, in his remarks to til,
court, expressed much sympathy fol
the young girl and her mother. Judge
Ball said it WAS one of the most dis.
tressing cases ever heard in the court.
Carter broke down completely and
arose to his feet several times and with
tears in his eyes begged to be allowed
to return home, promising to remain
in the house all the time he was not at
work. When he became convinced thai
he would either have to go to the Ferris
School or county Jail he sobbed aloud
and leaned upon his father for support
as he was being taken back to the cells.
On Monday morning Carter was com
mitted to the Ferris Industrial School.
Otherwise he was liable to eight OIL
ten years Imprisonment.