The Butte inter mountain., 1901-12-05
CRONIN IS JAILED
IYOUNG MAN WHO FAILED TO
SUPPORT HIS MOTHER.
FOUND IN CONTEMPT OF COURT
Cited Before Judge Harvey This After
noon to Explain Failure to Obey
Order-Showed Recalcitrant
Spirit.

Young Frank Cronin, whose mother is
old and half blind and without means or
income was hauled into Judge Harney's
court this afternoon to show cause why
he should not be punished for failing to
obey. the courts order to pay his mother
$40 for her support
He showed a stubborn and intractable
spirit, and was sent to Jail till 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning to arrive at better
working mood.
Judge Harney made the order referred
to short time ago, and it was not
obeyed by Cronin, who, though %, is
slight, smooth-faced and boyish, AMI
looks about IS.
He was put in the witness chair and
interrogated as to why he did not sup
port his old mother.
Explains the Situation.
Attorney Sinclair. representing Mrs.
CrOnin, explained the situation in the
case saying that the young fellow had
left his mothers home a couple of
months or more ago, and had cut off her
source of livelihood by refusing to pay
her grocery bills.
DO you contribute to your mothers
living?" Cronin was asked
He said that he had not contributed to
his mothers support during the past
month.
"she did not need it," said he. IT had
all l could do to take care of myself"
He said he was laid off at the Ana
conda mine on November IA.
/ He had been accused of quitting his
employ to avoid obeying the order OF the
couEt
| Did you ask to be laid OFF," he was
asked.
/ NO, SIR" he answered.
I ,,.af Makes No Difference.
! Then he said that it did not make
much difference whether he worked or
not,f seeing that he would have to pay
1850 attorneys fees, $40 to his mother and
1880 for board.
| What do you mean by that?" the
court asked.
| Well, don't know where come in,"
he replied. with that to pay"
| You shut off your mothers grocery
bills, didn't your"
! 'Why shouldn't I? That's when left
the house," the boy said.
Then he went on to explain that when
he left home his younger brother, 16
years old, was earning 50 a day.
DO you think that relieved you Of all
obligation?" he was asked
IT thought so.'' he replied.
~Your brother is not working now
What does your mother live on now ?''
the attorney asked.
i Il was around there yesterday and
they seemed to have plenty to eat" he
said '''''
"If your mother made an oath here
that she was destitute, would you be-
lieve her?"
NO." he said.
as big and able as he.
In her petition, Mrs. Cronin alleged
that the younger boy was sickly.
The court asked Cronin If he were
willing to do anything for his mother
and he answered affirmat lively. Then
ihe was asked what he could pay to her
Isuppdrt. Nothin while he was out of
work. he said.
h ..gT Makes No Offers.
Il He made no offers and showed no
|iproper spirit evincing desire to aid his
smother. So the court said that it found
THAT he was in contempt; had failed to
lobey the order Of the court, which he
could well have obeyed, and ordered him
Iremanded to the sheriff to be jailed till
|. Saturday.
Then the court and Attorney Sinclair
talked further to him, but with no bet
tier success. Attorney Sinclair said at the
lopening that he would withdraw his
lciaini for services if Cronin would pro.
livide for his mother.
| After that CrOnin was sent to Jail
till tomorrow morning when he will get
another hearing.
WALL STREET. oTr0r rrnNs