The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-02-07
MANIA FOR TRAMPS
Bonnie Chouteau Persists in
AsSociating With Them.
SENT TO REFORM SCHOOL
Splendid Treatment at Home
Failed to Change Desires,
SENT TO REFORM SCHOOL

Bonnie Chouteau, the 14-year old son OF
George T. Chouteau, one OF Wichita
Oldest postnen in point of service. was
yesterday committed TO the state reform
school at Topeka By Judge wilson Of the
probate court
The lad was an enigma to the court and
tho spectators at the trial Z tell you,
just wanted to run away" he said
when asked for a reason for his actions.
Both mother and father treated me as
best they knew how to. but I wanted to
run away and that Is all there is to It"
The boy is a bright little fellow and not
bad at heart The parents Of the child
won the sympathy Of all, as they, amid
soos, related the fact that in spite Of
what they would do for lhim he persisted
III leaving them without any provocauon
and remain away for days and sometimes
even weeks at a time.
Young Chouteau first ran away from
his home four years ago, and since that
time has absented himself at regular per
iods. Last November he ran away and
was gone for three weeks and upon his
return his father complained to Judge
daymaker, who then was probate judge.
Judge Haymaker ordered him sent TO the
reform school, but sentence was suspe
ed upon the promise Of the boy to do bet
ter and not cause his parents any more
trouble. Three weeks ago, however, he
again forgot his promise and left one
Sunday afternoon when his parents
thought ne was attending Sunday school
The following Friday he was found in
the packing house district IN company
with number Of uamps, by the police,
and placed under arrest. Yesterday he
was taken before Judge Wilson 10 have
hearing upon a charge Of incorrgtbility.
The matter had been reported to his hon
or several days before and the latter
made a personal Investigation of the case
with the result that every allegation in
the complaint was zorro orated by COM ]
petent parties.
When the boy appeared for trial and
during the duration of the same he did
not evince the slightest concern in the
matter and simply maintained a stolid at
titude until Judge Wilson began to ply
him with questions These he answered !
with q readiness and candor that sur
prised all present
"Bennie, don't you know that you are
causing your good mother and father end !
less worry and trouble BY running way In /
the manner you dor"
yes sir, / do"
Then why do you 90 so?"
because I just want to run away, |
that's all
do your mother and father treat you
as they should; are they kind to you?"
yes sir"
do you then care to associate with a |
lot Of tramps rather than to have good /
home enough to eat and a good bed to /
sleep upon?"
wen I did not intend to remain with
the tramps''
Where did you intend to gore
II don't know"
"Wen why is It that you do run away, t
can't you give some reason, have you hal /
any trouble with your parents; don't you /
like them, or what IS the matter?"
Il tell you that I just wanted to run /
away. Both mother and father treat me I
all right, but I wanted to run away and /
that is all there IS to it."
The above is a portion Of the CONVERSE
ton held by the court with the young [
man and more than is stated there could I
not be learned by further questioning.
The court then inquired as to how he
would like to go TO the reform school
20, guess all right" was the reply.
win you behave there?"
yes sir, I'll do my best"
DO you think it VIII DO you any good
TO be sent there2"
Il think Il will
'rvvin you be cured Of the habit Of run
ming away when you are released from
that institution one year from now
" Think I win"
The court then gave the Young man a
good talking to 81 kind words and told +
him that he would be sent to the reform
school. but that he hoped he would re-
ceive many good merits while there and I
return to his parents at an early date. II
conclusion Judge Wilson sold: This boy
S not bad at heart. His frank answers
90 the questions put to him viii readily
convince any one Ct this fact If tho
contrary were true he would have told .
nothing but lies on the witness stand. In
my opinion he VIII yet become a good.
honest and Industrious man. It IS with
this hope that viii send him to the To-
peka reforma tory for the term Of one
year"
If the kind words Of the judge had any
effect upon the lad. he did not gave any
evidence Of the fact
II was only when after the trial had 4
been concluded. Rev. Bruce Grifith, held
brief private conversation with him that
the boy burst into tears end cried as
though his heart would break He the7
embraced his mother and father and beg
eed their forgiveness for the trouble he
had caused them Later De was taken
to the county jail where he VIII remain
pending his transportation 70 the r@for-
m1tory-
uuJ uCpAI0 AQD0An