Rocky Ford enterprise., 1910-04-15
ROCKY FORD COLOKADO. FRIDAY APRIL Is, 1910.
ROCKY FORD BOYS ARRESTED
CHARGED with Contributing to Juve-
nile Delinquency.

Another chapter in the recent La
Junta juvenile sensation was enacted on
Saturday, when a couple of Rocky Ford
youths were arrested upon charge OF
contributing to the delinquency of two
girls Of tender years-Mabel Pifer and
Neva Lance Of La Junta-who on Friday
were sentenced by Judge Mcdaniel to
the State Industrial School for Girls.
1t is reported that the girls gave the
authorities a list of men-soms ct them
prominent citizens of La Junta-and
young fellows, who had contributed to
their downfall; and on the list it is said
were the names Of some seven youths
from this city. two of whom have been
arrested and have given bonds for their
appearance at the June term Of court.
In sentencing the Rir,s Judge Mcdaniel
took occasion to deliver lecture upon
the duty Of parents. the following por-
tions Of which we commend to the earnest
consideration Of every parent:
in making final disposition Of these
cases it occurs to me that some observa-
made. have no desire to probe wounds
already deep and painful. but sense Of
duty to this community impels me to say
that tho primary responsibility for the
conditions revealed by this investigation,
lies with the parents whose lack of
parental care allowed opportunity for the
conduct which has brought these young
girls into court. My inclination is to pass
over this matter Of the parents respon-
si5ility without comment, but there are
other parents in this community who
need to profit by this experience.
When a girl Of tender years finds op-
portunity for the course Of conduct con-
fessed by some Of these girls. continuing
In some instances for two years. her
parents cannot excuse themselves by
saying that they did not know nor sus-
pset it. 1t 10 the duty Of parents to
know at all times the whereabouts Of
their girls until they reach years Of dis
eretion. and to guard thsm from persons
and influences that would Undue them
with wrong conceptions Of life and its
duties, and when parents fail 10 do this it
Is the duty Of the juvenile court 10 take
their place. -
belisvs another very important duty
is neglected by most parents, and that Is
to meet every inquiry that naturally
comes with the growing intelligence and
development Of the child with fullest in
formation. Had that course been intel
ligsntly pursued with these girls. and
with the boys that contributed to their
delinquency. their knowledge Of them
selves and their sense Of personal re-
sponsibility and Of duty to others would
have prevented the conduct we are called
on to reform.
have known parents who expressed
pride in what they called the Innocence"
Of their daughters Of twelve and four
teen Of age. In most instances the only
basis of this pride Is the innocence" Of
the parent, for the child has gained from
playmatss the knowledge she ought to
have received from her mother. lanor-
anes Is not innocence. but danger, and
the mother who leaves her daughter to
gain knowledge Of her most important
functions and duties. in the imperfect and
dangerous for m in which It comes to her
from her. playmates. is dereliet in her
most sacred duty"