Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-24
Judge Makes an Earnest Plea
to Youthful Criminal to
Make a Clean Breast
BALL STANDS FIRM, HOWEVER
After Talking in Chambers to Owen
Ball Judge casweIl Makes Public His
Sentiments in Open cour-Tells Ball
His Story is an Old Ore, and That a
Confession Would Be Best Policy.

In open court this morning Judge
0bed Caswell advised owen Ball to
confess his crime, the robbery of the
Pee Hive store. for which he was con-
a few days ago. and intimated Il
him that If he did l%eniancy would be ex
tended. The sentiment of the courts
attitude toward Bal. was very appar-
ent, and the young man will have a few
days to think the matter over.
Judge Caswelf sert word to Ball or
Friday evening by Sheriff Shoemaker
that he would have iim brought before
him this morning. to fix a time. for sen
tence. If. before he appeared in oper
court. the young man might wish to see
the Judge in chambers, it was made
known to him that the opportunity was
open. Ball did go to see h judge be-
fore entering the court ROOM, n had
several minutes talk with. him. Judge
Caswell told him how he felt in the
matter, and was willing to extend leni-
ency IL he would make a clean breast
Of the crime. Ball did not appear. will
ing to waver from the stand he has
taken turnout the entire ordeal, anu
confessed nothing.
In court Judge Caswell fixed the time
OF sentence for Thursday morning at
o'clock, when he will make public the
terms of confinement, of Ball and Tay-
Ior Thorpe. He then spoke to Ball., tell
ing him that he would feel differently
toward him if he would make a confess
sion. II do not believe one word of your
story" the Judge continued, "about
buying the stolen goods found in your
possession from 1t IS an OLD
story, and one that a criminal always
tells when caught all but
What 4 Confession Would Mean.
A confession in the Ball case would
result In some startling disclosures, and
would mean h arrest. 1t Is thought, OF
at least two other Mershalltown boys.
The Bee Hive robbery was not COM
mftted by one person. That Is a self
evident fact.
Deputy Sheriff Hutson and City Mar
shall Nicholson have been working on
the case since he Gate of Its occur
renee, Sept. 80. and they have IN heir
possession information that is barely
less than proof positive as to who BARS
companions In crime We're. There is
lust enough lacking, however, to pre-
vent making arrests, and it all lies with
Ball to furnish the missing link in the
chain Of evidence that surrounds the
others. II Ball would confess. however,
tell who his companions were n dl-
yulge the hiding place OF the stolen
goods that have been ~overe
Il is more than likely it would make
difference, anyway, 10 his penitentiary
term.
While Ball has the appearance OIL
bearing a stolid Indifference as to con-
sequences, he is rather much OF a boy
after all. He was found guilty on his
18th anniversary, and while he consid-
ers himself a man. and has already had
more experience in some ways thar the
average man wants. he realizes In the
solitude Of his cell that he is yet young.
He has broken down and cried like a
child. many times, while meditating on
the error Of his ways and what lies be-
fore him.
Ball Alone Knows.
If h remainder of the stolen goods
&c ever recovered. itelnust be Ball. 1t is
thought. who can tell where the prop
erty is hidden. Ball intimated this much
in Jail to Ray Olmstesd, of Albion, who
was awaiting hearinS on a similar
charge from A1hton.s Oimstead was
tering Ball. of the Albion crime, and
nov the foods were hidden. He re-