The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-19
LENIENCY TOWARD A BOY
JUDGE Il CONSIDERED HIS
YOUTH AND FAMILY's STANDING.
Charles Pickett VIII Go Back to His
Clay County Home a Wiser Boy
ID. III. Foutz Fined.

Charles Pickett. a stripping Of a youth,
who lives with his parents in Clay county,
was arraigned before Judge Baker. in the
United States Court, yesterday, on a charge
Of stealing a package from a United States
mail bag. The boy tearfully pleaded guilty.
and his father went on the witness stand
and told the story OF the boys theft. The
honesty OF the family. their high standing
in the community in which they reside and
the tender age of the offender caused the
court to show l~eniency in che case.
The Pucket boy has been employed as a
mail carrier at Coalmont, Clay county. he
carried what is known as a star route. His
parents are respectable people and reside
on a farm. One day the boy became I'M
duly curious to see what was inside a mail
sack which he was carrying and opened
the bag. Inside he found a small package,
which his curiosity led him to open also.
In the package was a watch which the in
dictment said was of the value of 81. The
boy took the watch. and later his father
found it in his possession. As soon as the
parent learned how the boy came by the
time piece he went to the man who should
have received it and settled the matter with
him. In some way. however. the govern
ment authorities received information
about the theft and young Pickett was ar
rested.
The hoy was brought before the court
yesterday. trembling and weeping. He sob
bingly told the court how he had taken the
watch John III. Holiday appeared in court
and told Judge Baker of the responsibility
OF the family. The judge saw his duty be-
fore him and proceeded TO dispose OF the
case. First. however, he gave his views on
certain lines. as he has often expressed
them before. This was I'm relation 10 the
responsibilities people are sometimes in
clined TO place on mere children. He point
ed out that people too often place tempta-
tons In the way of a youth and he falls
simply through circumstances and not be-
cause he Is recklessly bad. There are times,
the court said. when children commit acts
through mere heedlessness and ignorance
that In grown people would be considered
criminal. Judge Baker then informed the
boy that he proposed 10 let him go on his
good behavior. He told the youth TO so
home and be a good boy and obey his par
ents- The fact was impressed on the mind
OF the boy that In the event he does not con-
fore the court at any time. The gratitude
of the boy was expressed in his fearful
c~Ountenance.
In speaking OF the case afterward Judge
Baker said: Had l sentenced this boy TO
prison the least that / could have given
him would have been one year. l could not
see how the interests OF society would be
better of by sending him there
David n. Fouts. of Dunkirk. Was fined
800 and costs on the charge OF violating
the postal laws. lie was arrested for send
Ing an objectionable postal card through
the mails. II appears that n woman owed
him some money and he sent her several
postal cards. some Of them threatening her.
days 10 allow Fouts TO raise the amount OF
his fine