The Washington times., 1901-09-01
A DOZEN BOY PIRATES.
Phi1ndeiphin Youngsters Come to
Grief Through the Police.

PHILADELPHIA. Aug. 3l.-Inspired by
the example of their favorite dime novel
heroes. eleven boys, whose ages range
from eight toltweIve years, broke into the
cabin of a hay vessel belonging to Will
liam Baxter and anchored In the SchuyI-
Kill River. Thursday night. stripping it of
everything movable. They carried their
booty to cave dug by them along the
Schuylkili River below Gray's Ferry
Bridge. p.
Capt. John Singer. in command of the
vessel, locked up the cabin shortly after
o'clock Thursday night, and. with the
crew, left her. According to one of the
boys, they had planned to rob the vessel
several days ago and were only waiting
for an opportunity to board her without
being detected AS soon as the captain
and crew left the ship the amateur pf-
rates. who had been concealed along the
river bank, armed with knives and dirks
to protect themselves in case they were
caught. boarded the vessel. They found
everything in darkness save for small
light which was burning on the bow of
the ship.
The cabin door was locked. but with the
aid of an ak they managed to burst IL
open. Once inside the cabin the free
hooters held council and decided that
some one must be put on watch. Four of
them agreed to go on the lookout, and
they were placed along the river bank
with instructions to give the signal If
anyone should put in an appearance The
other seven proceeded quickly to strip the
cabin. They carried the plunder away
piece by piece to their cave in the river
bank about half square away from the
vessel. where they left it until everything
was taken from the ship.
On returning to the vessel yesterday
morning Captain Singer was amazed to
find that the cabin door had been batter
ed down during the night. Quickly making
an investigation he found the room bare
The boys had even attempted to take up
the carpet but they found it too hard a
task. The robbery was at first thought
to have been done by experienced river
thieves.
The case was Immediately reported to
Lieut. Charles Black. of the Twentieth
and Federal Streets station. The lieuten-
ant investigated the case himself person.
ally. After a little search he located a
cave built far into the earth and well con-
structed. He was overjoyed at the dis
covery and thought that he had discov-
real river pirates who have been giving
him much annoyance of late
After a little time he succeeded in fore
ing his way into the cave. He was amaz-
cd to find the stolen articles carefully
stored away. He Investigated further and
discovered pictures of all sorts on the
walls. A number of novels recounting
the adventures of Captain Kidd and other
pirates were found.
The lieutenant Immediately sent 10 the
stationhouse for two men. Lieutenant
Black instructed them to hide themselves
away and await the coming of the
thieves. In a short time two of the
youths put in an appearance, and We're
placed under arrest by the policemen just
as they were about to enter the cave.
They We're taken to the stationhouse.
where they informed Lieutenant Black of
the whole plot. and gave the names of
nine others vhp7 were implicated in the
As Il result the following were
arrested and admitted their gait: David
Morris, ten years old: John Morris
twelve years old. Thomas Sines, twelve
years old. Frank Morris, eight years old:
Thomas Gray, nine Years old: Frank Me
Fail, twelve years old: Howard Alullin.
nine years OLD: Benjamin Mckee nine
years old: Richard Zane, twelve years
old. and Benjamin Mullen. eleven years
old. The young buccaneers were turned
over to the Children's Aid Society pend
ing a hearing before Magistrate Hender-
son this morning.