The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
CHANCE FOR A BURGLAR.
Kansas City Judge Passes Sentence
and Talks of Reformers.

AN"hSdS lily OldI.
With tears flowing down his cheeks and
his voice so checked with sobs that he
could scarcely answer, questions +. H. We
Der, the gentleman burglar, was SEN
fenced to fifteen years in the penitentiary
by Judge Wofford this afternoon.
When Weber was told to stand up three
indictments of burglary in the first degree
were read to him and he pleaded guilty
to each count. The minimum sentence for
each of these offenses is ten years in the
penitenhary. Judge Wofford asked the
question required by law, If Weber had
anything to say before sentence was passed
only this, your Honor" he replied land
that is [ pray for leniency of the court"
judge.
I'm Germany, thirty-seven years ago."
When did you come to the United
States?"
I'm 1882
What is your trader"
Il am a tailor sir
When did you begin the business of a
burglar"
Weber was silent for a few moments and
then he said:
- came in contact with such people in
Then you have been at it twelve or
thirteen years?"
oh, was at my trade most of the time,
Weber said he was naturalized in Mime
sofa.
How long have you been in Kansas
City," asked the court.
Five weeks"
oh only five weeks Well well. When
did you begin your business after you
came here?'
Three or four days"
Tailoring or burglarizing?'
a didn't do any tailoring in Kansas
est Paul"
WAS that good field?"
Il can't say that it was"
Where ese?'
Minneapolis"
That's what fellow might say. next
door to ST. Paul. Where else?"
Did you 90 anything in Denver?"
Nothing"
You did we'll here, didn't your
L can't say. was in the act of reform
ing and going TO California to be married
when arrested. | wanted to be honest and
establish a tailor shop"
How came you to enter the burglar bust
ness?"
Il came in contact with thieves and
yielded to temptation. That was in Mime
apolis when / was twenty-fOur years old
My intention. sir, was to get money enough
TO start a tailor business and stop all this
foolish business"
Weber was now showing signs of nerv-
BUSINESS. He was shifting his hat from one
hand 10 the other. The judge began to.
speak
You might have become a professional
refOrmer. It's powerful good business,
requiring little money and less work That's
what L would advise you to do when you
get out of the penitentiary. All you have
to do is TO go about and tell people how
bad they are and how good you are All
the good people will flock to you Kansas
has produced the greatest reformer of
the century. You see the century is not
very old yet She is noted for her piety
and meekness, and she has received the
sas City, because she told the people how
very, very bad they were. The last L heard
of her she trying to reform the mid
way at Buffalo. They say she now has
5000. and the preachers and deacons are
all f1ockiny after her L know she is good
because she said she was
Then, looking at Weber, Judge Wofford
asked:
How long in the penitentiary do you
think it will take 20 make you profess
sional refOrmer?"
Not one year, your honor; / know my
failing and am not so much of a hypocrite
as to try and conceal il"
How long will it take you to reform as
a burglar"
Il am already reformed
do you think twenty years would do it?''
This was a shock to Weber. His lip
trembled and he was perceptibly nervous.
Then the tears began to flow.
1T would kill me, your honor" he
sobbed. You might we'll hang me-"
u haven't any right to do that. Now you
have pleaded guilty to three counts and
the least | can give you is thirty years,
but that is too much. II sentence you to
fifteen years on one and grant stay on
the other two.
Still crying. Weber was led away to the
county Jail.