Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-06-21
THREE BOYS ARRESTED
ON SERIOUS CHARGE
We're Caught In willamette
GYM From Which Much
Stuff Is Missing

With the capture early this morning
of Elton Newberry, Forrest Walker
and Dewey M'Elrath, the police be-
lieve they have apprehended the ring
leaders of a band of boys who have
been responsible for the breaks reported
for Willamette university continuous
ly since last summer.
The lads subsequently furnished in
formation which led the police later to
take into custody Truxton Beck, Orley
Leffingwell and Floyd Warner, The
oldest of the lads, Forrest Walker, IS,
is an Indian. He is charged with
breaking and entering with intent to
steal while the others will appear be-
fore the juvenile court.
One hundred towels, several sweaters,
athletic suits, baseball and basketball
paraBhernalia and sundry other articles
are among the loot which it is believed
the boys have taken from the univer-
sity gymnasium within the past months.
At least so lockers had been broken
into and their contents removed. Brok
en- locks strewed the floor.
Nightly visitations to the gymnasium
have been made for weeks, according
to information in the hands of the au-
thorities and the value of the loot OBJ
tanned and the damage done the build
ing win mount into large figures.
Capture of Walker, Newberry and
M'Elrath was effected at 2;30 this
morning by Patrolmen Victor and
White, after the officers had been
forced to break into the building, the
boys refusing to admit them. Evident
ly feeling that their depredations were
not known the lads had established
sleeping headquarters in the gymnasium
spending the night on blankets spread
on the floor. One of the lads is re-
ported to have said that he slept in the
building for the past two weeks.
Walker spent the nights under the
trees until the recent cold weather
drove him into the shelter of the gym
nasium with his companions.
The gang which the police are now
rounding into custody is believed to
consist of from 10 to 10 boys, many of
whom have appeared in the police court
on numerous occasions, and some of
whom are connected with prominent
families of this city.
One youth, a former offender and
who at this moment has a six months
sentence hanging over his head, escaped
apprehension by enlisting at the last
moment in Company NJ. He is now at
Clackamas. Another recently started for
Washington and is now known to be
near Tacoma. 1t is not probable that
either Of these will be brought back.
For few hours this morning mob
scenes took place in the city Jail. Led
by Walker the boys started riot
Walker broke a large window in the
jail and the falling glass cut Letting
well about the face and arms so that
1t became necessary for Patrolman Var
ney to dress the wounds Later, as the
uproar showed no signs of abating,
Walker was thrust into the "black
hole " and quiet has reigned since.
Several of the boys have attended the
high school and have appeared in court
for stealing from their classmates.
M'Elrath was recently paroled from
the reform school.
This thievery is going to cease, !"
declared Police Chief Welsh todav
land am going to put the gang out
Of business for good this time. -
This afternoon the officers are maxi
ing a complete round up Of suspects
and those known to have been com.
panions of the gangsters in recent
weeks.
President Carl Gregg Doney, of vii.
lamette, is holding a conference with
officers Of the college today to de-
termine just what action will be taken
in the matter. 1t is reported that the
cases will be pushed to the limit as on
many previous occasions, leniency has
failed to ameiorate the existing con
| ditions.
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