The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-09-04

PITTSBURG, Pa, Sept. 3.-Geo.
w. Schafer, aged years, believed
to be the youngest prisoner ever
arraigned in magistrates court
in the world, was triumphantly &C.
quilted when the evidence against
him was presented in the court of
Alderman VIM. b. Armstrong, of
the 23d ward.
Young Mr.. Schafer was charged
with malicious trespass. The helm.
GUS crime of which he was accused
was that of tearing up strips Of
sod from the lawn of Frank D.
Fisher, on Bigelow,st. A warrant
for the arrest of the baby defend
ant was issued at Fishers request.
From the very start young Mr..
Schafer evinced not the slightest
uneasiness as to the outcome.
If anything, he seemed slightly
bored by the proceedings, now and
then uttering an audible grunt or
other exclamation indicative of sur
prise and disapproval at the amount
of talk over what he plainly con-
sidered trifle of the veriest sort.
From a reserved seat on his
fathers shoulder he scanned the
court room, and for a while kept
his big blue eyes riveted on the
majestic aspect of law incarnate
embodied in the person of Alder
man Armstrong, but his attention
soon wandered and he seemed to
find much more interest in the hap
penings on the street, Growing with
delight at every passing 'horsie,"
and vigorously calling his fathers
attention to the "teet cars"
The defendant gave l look at
the prosecutor. Mr.. Fisher, and his
wife, and then calmly turned his
back on them, and resumed his sur
vey of the street.
When 1t was testified that he had.
in disobedience of his mother, used
a set of garden tools, and willfully
dug up the Fisher lawn, the little
chap grew FESTIVE, and made his
father walk him to the window,
and there became so excited at the
"teet cars" that, when he finally
came back, the. perspiration was
hanging in great drops on his fore
head and plastering his fair hair
tight to his head.
Promptly at S:45 o'clock George
arrived at the place where he was
to be placed on trial. He had
brought along his sister, Ellen Jean,
5 months old next month, whom he
thought might possibly be called on
as witness; his father. mother
and his aunt, Mrs. Isabella McBur-
ney.
Ellen Jean soon wearied of the
proceedings, declared she would
have nothing to do with the affair
and went to sleep in the arms of
her aunt.
The case was then called, Fisher
was sworn, and asked to tell his
story, which was to the effect that
Geo. Schafer had ON Sunday, Aug.
10, trespassed on the Fisher lawn
and destroyed it's beauty by tearing
off the sod. Mr.. Fisher admitted
that he had not seen the occur
renee. but had been told that Mr..
Schafer, The defendant, had done
so. His information was obtained
from Fishers son and daughter.
as Mr. Schafer present." de-
manded the alderman.
Yes. sir, he u.s." answered Mr..
Schafer. stepping forward with
George in his arms, and the alder
man stared.
Turning to Fisher he exclaimed:
''Do you accuse the defendant, Mr..
Schafer, with playing on and de-
stroying your lawn by sliding down
the terrace?"
Eyes. sir, do" returned Fisher.
"You accuse Mr.. Schafer Of slid
ing down your terrace?" demanded
the alderman In wondering tone,
looking at the tall. mature figure
of the elder Schafer.
You know. your honor. l don't
accuse Mr.. Schafer of sliding down
the terrace, but 1t is the little chap,
his child. whom l accuse of doing
the mischief"
"Oh, see." said the alderman in