The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-05-14
BUSY Dav at t,ourt

| Ddo LAY at SOUlt
Judge Lippincott had about six hour
at his disposal, Thursday, to attend t,
the matters that were presented to hin
and he gave Ave hours to the consider
alton of the cases of the Riverton boys
who were brought before him on the
charges Of breaking and entering,
stealing, and malicious mischief
Thirteen boys, ranging in age from
twelve to twenty years, presented them
selves in response to orders issued by
prosecutor Kelsey. This was a case
where newspaper publicity had much
to do with the administration of JUS
tice. The first intimation Of the transl
action was made public by the
PALMYRA Meas. AS the boys had not
been arrested their names could not be
given, but the assertion was made that
owing to the prominence" of the
parents nothing was to be done in the
matter. Prosecutor Kelsey saw this
notice and he concluded that it was
his duty to step in. He did so and
soon had all the facts that were necesa-
ry for him to work on.
He sent for the officers and told them
the boys must be produced and the
nature of their offences disclosed.
Then began series of attempts to
have the matter settled out of court,
but the prosecutor said mo- to all OF
them. The affair was finally brought
to head by promise to have the
boys in court Thursday morning.
They went before Judge Lippincott
and acknowledged their guilt. The
Martha Biddle property at Riverton
seemed to have been the chief scene
Tor mischief. The house had been
closed and when a member of the
'amily returned and entered the place |
,he scene that presented itself was one
% cause vervuncomfortable sensations.
The house had not been open for two
Years., and was not furnished, other.
wise there is no telling what might |
lave happened. AS it was over a
hundred window panes in the house
md garage had been broken, electric
light bulbs and fixtures were damaged,
he walls of the house had been riddled
With bullets from rifles and lead pipe
n the bathroom had been cut. In ex-
'lanation of the acts the boys said
hey did not have much to occupy their
ttention 80 they went in for mischief.
Another place where they worked is
nown as the Murdock-Earnshaw prop
rty. The occupants had been away
Or the winter. At this place clothing,
ools and other articles were stolen,
nd several window panes we're brok-
n. No attempt was made to sell any
the stolen articles, but the boys had
AIKEN them to their homes and con-
called them. AS soon as the youth
IL lawbreakers heard that the affair
as being investigated they FASTENED
, return the goods and acknowledge
leir part Of the offences.
Judge Lippincott gave these cases
lie most careful attention and brought Is
ut every fact that could be ascer-
lined. The boys were frank and did
OF attempt to conceal any part of
with the affair, in fact
Tree boys pleaded guilty, but the in
sstigation showed that they had
erely been on the properties after
lie damage was done, drawn by
lriosity, SO they were allowed to de-
lrt. Judge Lippincott finally dis 9
,sed of the cases as follows:
Biddle Case.-John Graft, Carter
ich,. H. Biddle Filter and Walter !
oyer, put under probation for three r
ears and directed to pay costs Of
A .48
Murdo Tx Earnshaw Case. - Horace
Richman, Jr., probation for one +
ar, costs $24 48; Russell E. Harris, l
obation for three years, costs $24.4S,
report Court in person on first Thurs. +
~ in October as to behavior.
Both Cases. Hollingshead, e
obation for two years, costs $4S SO, !
by Court for his frank /
sss; Richard Hollingshead, Arthur e
right and Ellis Clifton, probation c
r three years, costs $4896 each. Ar !;
Inr Wright appeared to be such 5
ngleader that he was promised COM e
itment to Jamesburg if he violates t
S parole. The Court told the boys :
at the costs were not to be paid by /
eir parents in lump sums. but he c
ould require them to earn the money Q
lemselves and make monthly pay
ents of S4 each. a