Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-03-09
PASSES SENTENCE
Court Commits Thomas John
son and Elmer Oonahue to .
State Penitentiary.
THREE TO REFORM SCHOOL
Johnson Insists lie is Uniustly Con
victed-Judge Gest Warns the
Young Men in Court.

Judge w. II. Gest in the circuit
court this morning sentenced five pTls
Oners VINO have been found guilty of
burglary or larceny in the present term
of court Thomas Johnson and Elmer
Donahue were sentenced to the peni
Tertiary AT Joliet. johnson for burg
larry and larceny. and Donahue for
grand larceny, to serve undetermined
terms. William Davis. aged II; James
Brooks. cOlOred. aged II; and Clifford
Anderson. aged about Is, who was
convicted by the jury yesterday, Wee
sentenced To the reform school at Pom
tiac the first two for larceny. and Al
derson for burglary and larceny. BY
he sentence of Johnson, the reward
offered by The Argus for the arrest
and conviction of the person or per
sons guilty Of burglary in Rock Island,
offered the first week in NOyembCr
last year. becomes due, and the $50
will be paid to the officer who ma L.
The arrest. when the proper claim for
the reward is presented To The Argus.
Claims He is Innocent.
This morning. when he was called
before Judge Gcst TO have senten <
passed upon him. Johnson was given
an opportunity to make a statement TO
the court. This is the first time
have ever been arrested" began John
SON. and when Judge Gest asked. why
did you commit this offense?' he e
piled. - did not do it. | am being I'M
justly sentenced"
Judge Gest was evidently impressed
with the statement made by the pris-
oner. but explained that while he r2
GREETED passing sentence Johnson h4l
been found guilty, and the court hal
no alternative but to pass sentence n
him and commit him to Joliet. 1t will
| be remembered that during his trial,
| Johnson declared that he was forced
| by violence and misrepresentation to
make the confession which formed the
chief evidence against him.
| Talks to Boy.
| Judge Gest this morning. in passine
sentence on Clifford Anderson. who
was yesterday afternoon found guilty
called Anderson before him and kindly
but firmly talked to the boy about his
chance in life. Judge Gest stated thai
Anderson mother and sister had re
lquested him to pass sentence immeii
ately He stated that he had for :
long time known of Anderson as a baC
boy. and had heard of his connection
| with JifffTEnt Of
ness under the law, and of his baC
conduct in school You are youn.
and have chance yet. but if you Il,
not take advantage of the opportunity
you are sure to land in the peniten
tiary,' cautioned the judge.
Dcscrtcr is Sentenced.
| William Davis. the deserter from tn.
United States navy, was also given
talking to by the court before beiu.
remanded to Jail for commitment Il
Pontiac. The court appealed to tn
lad to remember his mother. and thin
Of the sorrow he was causing her d.
Wis was convicted of stealing a purs
containing SIG, the property of William
NJ Dick
| Refuses New Trial
Judge Gest denied a motion mad
by b. F. Schriver for a new trial TO
| Elmer Donahue, and sentenced Donf
hue to the penitentiary
In sentencing James Brooks, convic
ed of the theft of $3.50 from fello,
5 employe. Judge Gest stated that il
had kindly feeling for the boy. bot
. On account of his race. and because h
I is quite young. The court stated tina
he would make~Out for the boy a stat,
. ment to the reform school authoritis
t that will be as favorable as possible
Divorce Cases Heard.
. Judge Gest this morning heard ev
dence in two divorce cases. Mrs. Z
: Elda thinner charges her husban,
n John b. thinner, Jr, with having d
serted her the day of their marriage i
this city, Sept IS. 1900 Jackson
II Hurst & Stafford represent the con
claimant. Mrs. Mamie NJ. Gale charg
! her husband, Edward ]. Gale. with il
: fidelity. They were married Dec. 9
1902, at East Moline. Sweeney
y Walker represent the complainant
L Both cases were taken under advis
ment by the court. .lIaist