The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-08
STUDY FOR TIE
CR|N|Y0OaS1S
Thirteen Year Glib Boy Con-
POUNDS All Students.
EXPERIENCE OF A MAN
Richard Murphy Declared to
be Phenomenon.

New York, Feb. IA thirteen-eyar-ol
boy has COMPOUNDED the courts and Grim
inologists of New York
They confess never having seen tn,
equal of Richard f. Murphy. boy edi
tor, giobe-trotter, check-raiser, aesthet,
and monumental liar.
I'm afraid of the kid" confessed bis
Detective Milburn. who has been tryin.
to Weave a case about him. Hes un
eanny, he is so smart and quick anc
knows so much. Bringing him ovel
from Washington 1 begun to be afraid
he would vanish out the window or
slip through my fingers some how. he's
| so Slick
Two eminent alienists who have ex.
amined the boy declare that he is either
a great man or a great criminal in the
making. He puzzles the professional stu.
gents of cr1minology.
| The boys case presented the hardest
problem the Children's Court has had
10 solve With strong case against
the yoongster, his bright winning smile
and frank ways caused the Justice 10
| hesitate, undecided what to do with him.
The crowded court felt the same smell
| of the handsome little fellows person
| atty. Audible murmurs of sympathy
came from the crowded room. TIL,
women pressed forward to see him. cry
ing, oh. isn't he the dear little fell
| low. His dupes, come to prosecute.
stayed to try to help him to freedom.
Even the hardened policeman admitted
sheepishly they would like to see him
get off.
Richard was sentenced yesterday by
Judge Wyatt, in the Childrens Court.
to the Catholic Protectory. The boy
heard his sentence with the utmost non.
chalance. With good conduct this NAV
mean only two years imprisonment
Under the rules of this institution, whose
age-limit is sixteen, the boy cannot be
held longer than three years His is ac-
counted the most remarkable case since
the Children's Court opened
At Thirteen Master Richard has man.
aged to achieve national fame, having
created stir in the principal cities of
the country. Fresh from Chicago, he
landed mere two weeks ago, his second
visit to the East. He was a seven davs'
wonder on his first visit. two years ago.
when he stopped at the Waldorf-Astoria
and chummed with James r. Keene and
John w. Gates interviewed Russell Sage
and told stupendous tales about a news
paper he had out west Russell Saga
subscribed. Mr.. Keene took the little
chap under his wing for a time. until
the little pretender was discovered to be
an amazing little liar and was sent back
west by Father Ducey.
More mature this time, Master Rich
ard has fallen into crime. He deposited
S in the Excelsior Savings Bank. raised
the sum in his own handwriting. first
to SIS. then to $50 and cashed his checks
at two big dry goods stores in this city
and at the Albemarle Hotel in Phila-
delphia.
He was the aristocrat Of the Chill
dren's Court when he appeared there for
the third time yesterday With the
naughty air of little prince he strobe
into the court room. Big policemen fell
back obsequiously. Court attendants
showed him the way in The sordid
spectators gazed at him with admira-
ton, almost reverence. The half-dozen
ladies representing societies moved I'D
close to see him.
The little chap is pale and slight He
carried his head high and cast a look of
lofty Indifference over the sorry look
ing crowd in the spectators seats He
was the naughty patrician in manner
and look, though, strangely enough. he
halls from a moderat sized town of
rr-hn ha Hro,
comparative poverty.
He stood a childish figure with mans
air about him, his head on level with
the railing OF the bar. He wore black
knee stockings. a stylish tweed suit. a
fashionable turn-down collar with a neat
little black tie. and had faultlessly
dressed himself before coming into court
When his name was called he was sit
ting outside on a bench with a tough
looking assortment of little gamins Of
the streets-Italian boys. little runaways
from the east side. who were in the
sharpest contrast to him in appearance
He wore look OF disgust.
Say. old man" he protested. to the
big policeman. its a shame TO keep me
in here with kids like these-a positive
outrage. Isn't there some way I can
be spared this annoyance?"
While he was waiting in naughty ST.
lence. his counsel. young man appoint
ed by Justice Wyatt to look after the
case came in.
All. good morning, young Murphy.
cried cheerily delighted to see you"
He was all business IN a moment.
We'll. let us see now. what is our de-
fense?'' he began. I'VE had better so
over matters a little before going in
side
How can you explain passing that
check" his lawyer asked That must
be explained TO the Court
Yes. that is true Murphy said.
thoughtfuily well. you see. that's very
simple. very simple indeed Any bust
ress man does the same thing. OF
course. nothing wrong Is intended. cer~
tainly not make II point TO be care
full about those matters.
Il Travelled with a friend OF mine. q
Wealthy chap named Fogarty. and I
always noticed that Fogzr;y cverdrsw-
IL was quite a common thing with him
OF course. he made deposits 20 meet all
lis checks. as ! intended TO do There's
nothing at al in the check matter. as
you see"
But how about the false entry in your
bank book his lawyer wanted 20 know
Al, that was not made until after the
check was drawn-do you see That's
the point"
Il am afraid tha; won't explain i 70
the court said the lawyer doub;fCI,y
Murphy thought q nones;
- -
Can't YOU see this man who makes the
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