The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-01-22
YOUTHFUL CRIMINALS.

YOUTHFUL CRIMINALS.
i Only few days ago in the town Z
Brookport. ILL.,. the Brookport Millin
Company was robbed of $400. 1t wa
presumed that the work had bee
done by sneak thieves, who had en-
tered the office during the absence o
the manager and picked up none,
and checks found within reach on
desk. This opinion prevailed until, ,
few days later, st. Louis policeman
noticed boy hitting the bullseye'
OF the smallest targets In a shooting
gallery. The policeman, himself 8
good marksman, watched the boy
shoot for several minutes. He heard
him finally ask for his bill Upon be-
ing told that he owed the house 40
cents, the boy made display Of a
large roll of bills and, pulling off one
of 81 denomination, threw 1t on the
counter and told the man in charge
OF the place to Just keep the
change" The policeman, who had
previously admired the boys marks
manship, now became interested in
him for another reason. Adroit
questioning confused the lad and fin
ally he confessed that he was the son
OF the superintendent Of lumber
agency and that he had robbed the
Brookport Milling Company.
The boy said that he had been sent
to the milling company's office to sell
some sacks. There was no one in the
place when he entered, but he saw a
pile of money and checks lying on
1esk. The boy had always hoped for
IN opportunity to visit st. Louis some
lay A neighbor boy had once en-
Dyed this great privilege and had re-
urned with remarkable stories Of the
sights he had seen and the fun he had |
lad. Il thought would see If he
vas telling the truth, sobbed the lit
lie prisoner, "and SO | just took the
loney." He had checks for $152 and
52 in cash when he was arrested.
lis father was notified and he was
ent to the house Of detention, pend
ng the arrival of Brookfield authori-
les.
In this same connection we might
ell another st. Louis story Of half
oxen boys who are now under arrest
that city They are held in con-
ection with the recent death of re-
use. 1t appears that the recluse-a
ealer In rags Lived in a hut which
le boys passed daily on their way to
nd from school. One day they had
ouble with the old man and there
ter 1t was their daily custom to an
oy him in various ways best known I
boys. Occasionally the old man Fl
lrsued them, and finally they came I
retaliating with clods of dirt and /
ones. On the day of the rag mans s. '
'ath the children-al of them Of an FIR
responsible age found their '
nemy" painting his wagon. Several \
them threw at him. One of the t
ys succeeded in hitting him twice, n
e missile striking him on the hip g
d the other on the head. The BOYS n
INT on to school, doubtless innocent c.
the wound that had been inflicted. A
e rag man staggered into his shack Il
d was found there, half-frozen and il
ing, a few hours later. He was &C
zen to the city hospital, but sur G.
red only a few hours. A day or two is
erward the mother of two of the W
VS. involved in the throwing heard al
r sons discussing the affair She
estioned them closely, but was un-
e to learn anything from them.
e thereupon called in the police q
n on that beat and, with his as
lance, obtained a confession of the
rs feud with the old man. The sa
IS gave the names of their COM N,