Arizona republican., 1910-02-09
Boy Dragged From Fathers
 House At Point of Gun THINKS HE WAS DRUGGEO
James Roberts, Son of the Deputy Sheriff of River side County, Cal, Found In Phoenix and Relates a Strange Tale.

James Roberts. a l6-year old boy
 now in the city jail, teld q story ro a
 reporter for The Republican that for
 startling facts and marvellous adven-
 ture has seldom been equaled. The
 boy. who is the son of Deputy Sher-
 iff O. Roberts of Riverside county
 Cal, was wakened from sleep on the
 night of January 26 in his fathers
 house. by a man who held six
 shooter to his head and compelled
 him to get up. to write a note to his
 parents saying he was going to run away to the Philippines and was then
 given some drug by the tramp. and
 when he came to his senses found
 himself in Maricopa. From that town
 he walked to Phoenix. after escaping
 from the hobo's clutches. He was
 picked up yesterday by the police
 and is still in a daZed condition from
 the effect of the drug. He was rec
 ognized through circulars sent out. by the sheriff of Riverside His
 father had offered a reward of s25
 for his arrest
 q. Roberts, the boys father. lives
 in Fl Casco. Cal. and conducts a large cattle ranch there. It was a part of the boys duties in the even
 ing to go out on the ranch and col
 lect the cows. On the afternoon of January 26 last he was taking care of the cattle when he came upon
 hobo sitting by the roadside. The hobo called him over and began to ask him questions. The tramp said his name was Harry" and by that name. and that one alone. the Rob- erts boy knew him
 After they became a little better acquainted. Harry produced can of sardines and some crackers. James Roberts was hungry and accepted the tramps invitation to eat. It is prob able the boy was drugged at this time. He drank nothing, but ate the sardines and crackers. Then he went home and went to bed. |
 In regard to what happened after wards, Roberts says: T was in bed | and asleep. though l felt i'll when I went to bed. Everybody in the house | was asleep. I guess. My bed was close to the window and the window | was open. Suddenly something woke | me up. l rubbed my eyes and looked about. The first thing I saw was | great big gun showed into my face | I Don't make sound or I'll kill you Gee. but 1 was scared. did not | say a word. and I know my faca was white. because l could feel all the blood run to my heart.
 With his body half way through the window was that tramp who had given me some sardines few hours before Get up he said; put your clothes on quick, and don't make a noise did what he said, because I felt sick. and then he kept pointing the revolver at me When I was dressed l crawled through the win Gnw We went out. behind the en- g.ne house on our ranch and he gave lpe a pencil and paper He told me T hat tO write The note said: I am going to run away to the Philippines ana Nof pc tlll next IT. | We took the note and threw it in my window. He kept hold of my wrist all the time. so I could not get away. Then we walked about six miles to linda. a little station on the rail- road. He gave me an old coat and hat. and took my good clothes and hid them somewhere. He also took my watch away from me and said { ! would not need it any more. At {; linda we waited for the 11:30 train. It was late, or we would never have l; reached fhere in time, as I think it must have been only about 10 o'clock ' when we started from my home.
 When the passenger train came along. Harry jumped out on the track 1 and waved his arms. The train { slowed up and we got aboard. I don't { remember much after that I was $ sleepy and sick. and I knew he gave ! me something that made me uncon- scious most of that journey. l re- | member something about Yuma, but ! dont recollect whether we got off l there or if he just said something I about this town being Yuma. q
 "I guess we stayed in Maricops S