The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
Boys Accused of Whole.
sale Robberies Make
Clean Breast of 1t in
Criminal Court
PROMINENT MEN
ARE WITNESSES
Spencer c. Gilbert, Henderson Gilbert.
Francis J. Hall and D. D. Hammel-
baugh Testify as to Losses of Val.
uables

Details of wholesale robheries in
Noiving the looting OF the homes of n
dozen or more prominent Harrishurgers
We're related TO Judge George Kunkel
at the morning session of the January
criminal court, which opened TODAY.
five boys, none of whom is out of mis-
teens. were called as defendants in con.
nseuon with sixteen separate charges
Of telonluus entry and larceny. one
charge of robbery and one charge of
larceny. Eight youths were accused in
connection with the robberies. Two
have evaded the police and one boy will
be tried in juvenile court.
Pleas OF guilty were entered in all
eases by Paul Schubauer, Joseph Os.
borne, Milton Schrettier, Weston Ashen-
felter and George Dare. Sentence was
deferred until the afternoon session in
order to give counsel for the Youthful
( offenders an opportunity TO offer a num-
Der of character witnesses. The rob-
oerleS dated back to early in Septem-
ber. last. The loot consisted chiefly of
Jewelry. clothing, bathing suits and
some provisions. the total value of
which Is estimated at $1,000.
helFlooms, tlmepieces. each valued at
anywhere from $50 to Sos: rings and
other valuable articles. which the own.
ers said had sentimental value, were ia
ken. The most of the plunder was re-
covered.
Prominent Men as witnesses
Spencer {. Gilbert. a member of the
Capitol Park Extension Commission.
and his son, Henderson Gilbert, presi.
dent of the Harrisburg Chamber of
Commerce, who suffered losses at the
hands of the youthful thieves. were
called as witnesses, as also were Francis
Il. Hall, Oliver Seasoning, D. D. Ham
meloaugh, secretary of the Harrisburg
School Board. and William McFadden.
The witnesses confined their teSti.
mony 10 telling, in SO far as they knew.
how entry was gained TO their homes
and what articles were stolen. No one
witness attempted TO accuse any indi-
Vidual defendant, but the five boys all
made confessions
Spencer c. Gilbert said iewelrv val
ned at 5000 was taken from his home
William McFadden lost watches aud
jewelry valued at 5000; Ward Jacobs.
enc pair of gloves, s1.50: Nathan Co
hen, shoes and wearing apparel: \. Gar
ner, clothing; Martin J. o 'Tooie. candy
snd cigars; D. D. Hammelhaush.
raRned fruit and other provisions: Miss
Fannie Eby. bank containing S3: Har-
fishurg Park Commission. la bathing
suits and rain coat from bath house at
Seneca street: s. Rider. revolvers and
other hardware: Henderson Gilbert.
mandolin and jewelrv: Francis J. Hall.
watches and iewelry, $50; Oliver II.
Senseuing. eggs and potato chips; Da,
vid Greenfield, sS40 motorcycle;
Charles Ensminger, athletic goods;
Squash Club athletic goods.
Confesses Half Dozen Robberies
Osborne pleaded guilty 10 being
rarty to more than half dozen of the
-otberies At the September criminal
sessions he pleaded guilty TO stealing
4-pOuni box Of apricots. and was 20
have been sentenced on October l 4, but
he failed TO appea- in court ana evaded
vanrure until few weeks ago.
Stewart Palmer pleaded guilty to-day
20 throwing a pint bottle Of whiskey
through a trolley car window, saving
that ne did 20 because he had been
elected rom the ear. Judge Kunkel
sent him 10 jail for sixty days and i'm
posed the regular So fine and costs.
Palmer frequently has been in Jail. ne
said, all because, = get liquOrei UP
and cannot navigate.
Stuart Acquitted OF Assault
John F.. Stuart was acquitted Of
charge of assault and battery. His
brother was the prosecutor. \ jury in
Judge McCarrell : court set Stuart
free. Immediately thereafter Joseph
Sahnger was put on trial charged with
soliciting insurance without having a
license.
Five bills were ignored by the Grand
Jury. a follows: Philip Fleck. false
pretense; Clinton f. Maubley. fe,onious
entry; Margare, sullivan, Harry y.
Warner and Srrouder y. Fields. lar
cenv.
During court organization, John "
Brinton. of the Fifth ward, Steelton.
was made foreman of the Grand Jury.
Two members Of thst body were ex-
cused as follows: Bertram Bush. Fourth
ward, city. and William H. Coleman.
Penbrook.
These petit Jurors were excused:
Thomas Ely. Lykeus; Harry A. Footho-
rap, First ward, city: Henry y. Hum.
mer. East Hanover township; George
\. Huffman. Twelfth ward. city. and
Samuel S. Stroup, Williamstown. Rich
ard Zigler. West Hanover township.
was the only juror not previously ex-
cused. who did not respond at roll call.
One case was continued. II is that
Of Al6urtus l.. Reitzel. charged with
false pretense. Attorneys in the case
announced that a settlement is likely
10 be made.