The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-08-31
A DOZEN BOY PIRATES.
Philadelphia Youngsters Come TO
Grief Through the Police.

Philadelphia Youngsters Come to
Grief Through the Police.
PHILADELPHIA. Aug. 31.-Inspired by
the example Of their favorite dime novel
heroes. eleven boys. whose ages range
from eight 70 twelve years, broke into the
cabin Of a hay vessel belonging 20 VIII
liam Baxter and anchored in the SchuyI-
kin River. Thursday night. stripping Il Of
everything movable. They carried their
booty 90 a cave dug By them along the
Schuylkill River below Gray's Ferry
Bridge.
Capt. John Singer. in command Of the
vessel. locked up the cabin shortly after
3 O'Clock Thursday night. and, with the
crew, left her. According TO one Of the
boys. they had planned % rob the vessel
several days ago and were only waiting
for an opportunity 70 board her without
being detected. As soon as the captain
and crew left the ship the amateur pI-
rates. who had been concealed along the
river bank, armed with knives and dirks
TO protect themselves in case they we're
caught, boarded the vessel They found
everything in darkness save for a small
light which was burning on the bow OF
the ship.
The cabin door was locked. but with the
aid Of an AK they managed to burst it
open. once inside the cabin the free
hooters held a council and decided that
some one must be put on watch. Four OF
them agreed TO go on the lookout, and
they were placed along the river bank
with instructions 10 give the signal il
anyone should put in an appearance. The
other seven proceeded quickly to strip the
cabin. They carried the plumber away
piece by piece TO their cave in the river
bank about a half square away from the
vessel. where they left II until everything
WAS taken from the ship.
On returning to the vessel yesterday
morning Captain Singer was amazed TO
find that the cabin door had been batter
ed down during the night. Quickly making
an investigation he found the room bare.
The boys had even attempted TO take UP
the carpet, but they found it too hard
task. The robbery was at first thought
to have been done by experienced river
thieves.
The case was Immediately reported to
Lieut.. Charles Black. Of the Twentieth
and Federal Streets station. The Iieuten-
ant investigated the case himself person
ally. After a little search he located a
cave built far into the earth and well con-
structed- He was overjoyed at the dis
covcry and thought that he had discoy-
cred AT last the booty cave Of a band Of
real river pirates who have been giving
him much annoyance Of late
After a little time ne succeeded in fore
ing his way Into the cave. He was amaz-
ed 90 find the stolen articles carefully
stored away. He investigated further and
discovered pictures Of all sorts on the
walls. A number OF novels recOuutiug
the adventures Of Captain Kidd and other
pirates were found.
The lieutenant Immediately sent 10 the
statiOnhOuse for two men. Lieutenant
Black instructed them 20 hide themselves
away and await the coming Of the
thieves. In a short time two Of the
youths put in an appearance. and were
placed under arrest by the policemen just
as they were about 70 enter the cave
They were taken 10 the stationhOuse
where thu informed Lieutenant Black OF
the Who.D plot, and gave tho names Of
nine others Who were implicated in the
robbery. As a result the following We're
arrested and admitted their guilt. David
Morris, ten years Old John Morris.
twelve years old. Thomas Sines, twelve
years old, Frank Morris, eight years old.
Thomas Gray. nine years old. Frank Nc
Fail, twelve years Old. Howard MulIiu
nine years old Benjamin Mckee, nine
years OLD. Richard Zane. twelve years
ola. and benjamin Mullen. eleven years
old The young Buccaneers were turned
over % the Children's Aid Society pend
ing hearing before Magistrate Hcuder-
son this morning.