The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-11-03
ROBS POSTOFFICE
At THE AGE OF z.
PitifuI Case of Little Boy Who
Now Awaits Trial
SITS IN CORRIDOR ALL DAY
Difficult to Decide What Disposition
Shall Be Made of the Case-Wtli
Probably Be Heard BY
Judge Jones Today.

An understood youth of twelve years sat
in the corridor Of the government build
ing all day yesterday awaiting trial be-
fore Judge Jones on the charge of rob-
bing the postoffice at Cottondale, Ala.
The little fellow presented a pitiful
sight as he sat all bundled up on one
of the long seats. accompanied by an old
man who supported himself on crutehes.
When questioned about his crime tears
would spring into the eyes OF the youth
and slowly trickle down his pale cheeks
as he told of how he entered the little
nostoffice from which he took the sum
total of 10 cents.
In the indictment the boys name Is
given as Johnnie and the name of anoth-
err boy, Victor Griever, appears with 1t.
The Griever boy is probably Is years OF
age.
Johnnie Garner looks to be boy OF
I'll health. His wan little face Is bloated
and of a sickly sallow hue. He has every
appearance of being : clay eater, and, IN
fact. some of the officials in the govern
ment building said that he was addicted
to this peculiar habit.
Has No Father.
This youthful postoffice robber Is one
of a family of five fatherless chiioren'
His mother lives at Cottondale and sup
ports the family.
When Johnnie was placed on board the
train which bore him to Birmingham 10
stand trial passengers say that the wall
ines of his old mother were heartrend-
ing. She Is woman of sparse KNOW
ledge of worldly affairs and entertains
abe idea that her son will be sent to the
coal mines and that she will never see
him again.
According to Johnnie's story he and two
other bows robbed the Cottondale postof-
fee on the Sunday afternoon of June 70
last The Griever boy held up the win
dow and Johnnie crawled through the
opening into the office. He found 10 cents
therein and appropriated 1t to the use Oh
himself and his pals.
Hard Case to Solve.
Every government official in Birming-
ham is interested in the case and 1t Will
probably be heard by Judge Jones today
There has been considerablee discussion
as to whether 1t would be better to send
the boy back home or give him term IN
the reform school near Washington. II
Is said, however, that he is entirely toe
young to enter that school, as boys are
not taken under fourteen years of age
1t is also believed that the separation
from her boy would almost kill the ole
mother and for that reason some think
1t best to send him back home.
Officials who have been watching the
lad say that the process of arrest has
already taught him a severe lesson. John
ME is not a very bright boy, and 1t is SAID
had no conception Of the enormity of the
crime he committed, though the amount
stolen was of no consequence
Judge Jones will probably have the boy
brought before him today and will take
what steps he thinks necessary for the
future of the lad and for an example to
the youth of the country 1t is said he
has given the case considerable study
Judge Jones has always taken great In
terest in the boys who have violated the
law, and his natural kind heart, 1t is be-
lieved, will reach a practical solution OF
this pitiful case.