The Detroit times., 1914-01-05
JOY-RIDERS
ARE ACCUSED OF
MANSLAUCHTER
Three OF Those in Machine That
Killed Edwin X. Griffin
Plead Not Guilty
FOURTH Is LET GO
BECAUSE Or HIS YOUTH
Death Car Belongs TO School
Board and Had Been Dor
rOwed' by Chauffeur

Three o. the lour youths who were
ia the Board OF Education auto that
ran down aud killed Edwin r. Griffin
aud seriously Injured MS wife out Ora.
-tl0taYe.. NeM AaAE-A NIGHT. Mere -
raigned. Monday noon. before Justice
Command on a charge OF manslaugn-
ter All pleaded not guilty Examina-
ton was set for ian 49, Russell
Mitchell was allowed 10 go home.
owing 10 his youth Ills brother. Al.
bert, and Herbert schultz were neld
in bonds OF 81 zoe each. Thomas
Lynch former alderman and Andrew
j Roncy went security for them. Ches-
ter Bowen. the chauffeur was held IN
bonds OF $4,000. (which was furnished
by Charles Aust.
"You boys may 30 home now, said
Justice Commani
NO they cant. exclaimed Sherin
Oakman. They have another stop.
The boys We're escorted by deputies
10 the police court, where they faced
a charge growing out OF the theft OF
the fatal car
before, and suit is being withheld
pending settlement with insurance
companies, FOR an accident for which
he is blamed
Anthony Maske. No 7OS Milwaukee
ave. east, an employee OF the Hupp
Motor Car Co, was severely injured
by a Board OF Education machine drly-
ell by BoweH ON Monday, Sept 5,
1913. al Gratiot and Bellevue-aves.
Breaking down under cross-ques-
tioning by Sheriff Oakman. the four
youths confessed. Sunday afternoon,
10 their part in the New Years night
tragedy
Chester Bowern, "a years old. Of No.
1ii4 Van Dyko.aye., chauffeur for
Supervisor Stewart, was driving the
car His companions were Herbert
Schultz, aged y, OF No. ll72 Seyburn-
ave, also employed as chauffeur by
La BOARD na-l-aucalinn Alherl
Mitchell 20 years old and his brother.
Russell Mitchell, aged .. Of No 1883
Helenaye.
All OF the boys had carefully pre-
pared false story, TO avoid blame for
the accident. but their statements be
came so conflicting when they were
questioned. that Schultz finally said
he would tell the whole truth, and the
Other lads later admitted that his
statements were correct.
Bowern. Instead or taking the auto
to the garage, Wednesday, decided to
keep II for his own use on New Year 3
day and with the three youths named
and several other young men in three
other autos. started out on New
Years day, making calls on friends.
and they said. taking many drinks.
until all were befnddled and the
youngest boy was 80 stupefed that he
had but little memory OF the accident.
BOWeIn's machine was several
blocks ahead OF the other autos, and
travelling al the rate OF about 80 miles
an hour. when they approached Mr.
and Mrs. Griffin. who were crossing
the street. Grimm was struck a ter
rible blow the auto swerving, and the
rear-cifd- striking Mrs. Griffin. The
wind shield OF the auto was shattered
and the youths, terrified, sped on TO
French Lane. and drove 10 Mack-ave..
and thence to the garage AZ Brooklyn
ave. and Elm-st,. where they raised
the top TO conceal the broken wind
shield. Then they drove TO Canton
ave. and the boulevard, abandoned the
machine, and agreed To report thar
III had been stolen
Meanwhile, the auto had been
found and the sheriff decided il was
tie death car which had run down
the Grifiins BOwern, suspected.
agreed with the theory. He said he
had discovered its loss, FRIDAY morn
lag
All OF the boys suspected. and TAX
ell into custody by the sheriff. stuck
to the theft story. until Schulte's
father, seeing that the boys were
houndcring In their statements. order
ed his son to tell the whole truth.
Then all the boys broke down and
confessed
Bowern will probably be charged
with manslaughtcr, and the fate OF the
rest Of the boys is not vet decided