The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-17
YOUTHFUL Thieves
TAKEN BY POLICE

U
The Quartette of Youngsters Who
Broke Into the "Fair" Novelty
Store and Their Booty Captured by
Chief McAndrew and Constable
Edward Neary-The Young Pris-
oners Admit Their Guilt.
The police department of this city
yesterday took in tow gang of boys
who broke into the Fair store on sun
day night and carried off a great load
of booty, such articles from the store $
stock as came under their notice DUR
ing the hurried visit to the place.
The accused lads are Frank Walsh,
of Pike street; David Jennings, OF
Terrace street; Hubert Brennan, of
lower Main street, on Welsh Hill, and
a lad named Minnich. from that vi
cinity Jennings was arrested first
He was taken by Chief McAndrew
about noon, while he was swinging In
the hammock in the yard of his par
etns home, on Terrace street. on the
way TO the city Jail and after he had
been incarcerated. the boy freely con-
fessed his wrong doing, and in his re-
cital inculpated the others, for whom
warrants had been sworn out before
Alderman Jones. Brennans arrest
followed. Like Jennings, he attempted
no denial, but believing 1t to be pru-
dent, in the face of the evidence
against him, to tell the truth, he ad-
mitted his guilt
r.i. l., l,af I
derman Jones, commencing at 4.SO yes.
terday afternoon and there, through
the sharp questioning of the alderman
the history of the gang was made
known.
Brennan was the first one to he
catechised. He is Is years old, the
son of Michael Brennan. He acknowl'
edged having led the others into the
Fair robbery. He made the further
disclosure that two weeks ago he was
at the head of the gang when the foui
broke open an Ontario and Western
freight car and carried off quantity
of goods. Brennan said it was about
$50 Sunday night when the Fair was
entered. but he had the place in minc
since the preceding Sunday, when ne
spied it in company with others ol
the gang. on last Sunday, he and his
followers, Jennings. Walsh and Min
Mich, went through the alleyway tha
leads from Salem avenue, climbed w
on the roof of the building that skirt:
the Fair store and raised the store
window, which, he said, was not fas
tened. Once inside, the gang scattered
each one helping himself to whatever
articles struck his fancy. Brennan
ratified off the goods that he stole, th'
enumeratons including the following
Two pocket knives, two tie pins, {
base ball, three rings one watcf
chain, a match safe, a pair of eye
glasses and a few toys. The rest o
the gang helped themselves to similar
articles and then they broke open th'
cash drawer The drawer had to b,
pried open, each one doing his share
TO get at the contents, which, it wa
believed by the boys, would be a con
siderable sum. There were only a few
dollars, how Never, which the lad
grabbed, each one snatching what h,
could. Brennan said he got thirteei
cents.
After the robbery, the lads hastenet
with their booty To- River street, wher
they sought hiding place along tn
bank of the river. The place selected
wasn't desirable, so they went to tn
old rink. on South Main street, wher
they buried a number of the articles
Later. Brennan hid his il-gotten good
near the No. school.
The story of the robbery that ap
redred in the newspapers filled tn
hoys with a fear of arrest and to es
,tel
means of returning the stolen arti
cles. Lads of their acquaintance cam
10 the Fair store with a few of tn
articles, and on Monday night Bren
nan and Jennings bundled up wha
part of the booty they withheld and
tying it in a handkerchief. they de
posted it on the lawn in front of tn
home of Mr.. Riegeluth, proprietor o
the Fair, who found them there yes
terday forenoon.
Brennan told the alderman that
was while he was at work in tn
breaker on Monday that he becam
fearful of his misdoings and deter
mined to return the stolen articles.
relating this, the boys eyes filled wit
tears. Jenning who is but IL year
old, three years younger than Brer
nan, did not seem to realize the gray
lty of his offense for he was some
what indifferent TO the proceedings.
on hearing the story of the boys. Al
derman Jones recommitted the pai
10 the care of Chief McAndrew unit
they could get a bondsman.
The capture and breaking up of tn
hand of youngsters who promised I
give the police considerable annoy
ance, were due TO the combined ei
forts of Chief McAndrew and Cor
stable Neary, The latter was calle
into the case yesterday, and his wor
was big factor in successfully rounc
ing up the boys
Walsh and Minnich were arreste
last night. Walsh was placed in tn
city Jail until a hearing this forenoon
hut Minnich was allowed to go to hi
home on his promising to appear a
the hearing. The police are satsfie
that Minnich did not take any activ
part in the burglary, The disclosure
OF the others indicate he was led int
the crime, and did not enter the stor,
hut remained outside to warn thei
of the approach OF any person.
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