The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-09
YOUTHFUL THIEVES
IN JUVENILE COURT.
After Confessing to Several Bur!
glaries, They Are Turned
Over to Reformers.
MAY FIND HOMES ON FARMS.
Each Blames the Other and Prom
ises to Reform il Kept
Away From Com
panions.
MAY FIND HOMES ON FARMS.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Springfield, ILL.,, March s-Three youthful
burglars not one Of them over IL years
of age, were before the Juvenile Court
this afternoon and admitted committing
wholesale robberies in various parts OF
Springfield. For six months band OF hve
boys has successfully operated. and have
eluded all efforts Of the police to capture
them or fasten one of the many crimes
they have committed upon them.
The boys. Clyde De Moss Howard Ad-
kins and Harry Todd. have been in jail
for four days. On Sunday they entered and
pilfered the residence of George Kelsey,
and were seen escaping over an alley fence
This led to their arrest.
Under the impression that they would be
dealt with lightly, the boys this afternoon
admitted their guilt. and astonished the
spectators in the courtroom by relating the
details of wholesale burglaries committed
by them.
The trouble that has come to the lads
began when they first ran away from
school. On that day they visited vacant
house and carried away quantity or
brass, which they sold to a junk dealer
for a few cents. They have frequently
played truant from school since that time,
and have continued their depredadons.
Stole Brass From an Engine.
Among other things the lads to-day ad-
rnitted having stolen quantity of brass
furnishings from q Chicago and Alton en-
eine. while 1t was standing in the engine
house here Copper wash boilers were also
among the things pilfered by them. Vacant
houses have been greatly damaged by thelr
tearing down water pipes and the ike 10
secure lead and brass.
Miss Montgomery, the SPECIAL officer OF
the Juvenile Court, has become interested
in the case, and Is of the opinion that the
boys can be reformed without being sent TO
the Home of Juvenile Offenders. through
her efforts the State Attorney mas Deen IN.
duced to take the cases out of the hands OF
the Grand Jury, and give the prisoners into
the custody of the Juvenile Court. Harry
Todd was given to James l.. Bralnerd a
prominent farmer and cattle dealer RESIDING
near New City, and has been taken to the
farm to reside.
The other two boys, De Moss and Adkins.
have not been disposed Of. Adkins says he
does not care to live on a farm. but prom.
ises that he will go to school and commit
no further depredations II allowed his I'D
erty. His father desires that the boy be
and is willing to pay tuition for his care.
The De Moss boy Is willing to leave his
mother and go to the country If he can es-
cape punishment.
Each of the boys declare that the other
is the leader and responsible for all the
trouble. One says he can be good If kept
out of the company of the other, and the
Juvenile Court will attend to 1t that they
are kept separated.
Charles Stickney, who was also member
of the gang. was caught few weeks ago
He pleaded guilty and was sent to the Re.
formatory at Joliet Stickney is somewhat
older than the other boyA