Evening journal., 1919-09-19
OFFICER
Who CAPTURES BOY
Nicely. Ferris School At
tendant, Then Arrested
on Assault Charge
DENIES HE STOMPED
ON RUNAWAY LAD

James Neely, aged % years, an at
tendant at the Ferris Reform school
near Prices Corner, was assaulted by a
number OF men at Kirkwood Park this
morning. when they resented his ALLEGED
harsh treatment Of Walter scott, a i6-
year-old boy who escaped from the
school and whO> had been caught by
Neely. In the attack on him Neely was
struck under the chin, and on the head
and but for the fact that he jumped
into an automobile he was driving and
escaped, he might haze been badly IN
jured
After his experience Neely went to
the police station where he was at once
arrested on a charge Of assault and bat
terry. This charge Will be heard in City
Court tomorrow morning, the mans
arrest being demanded by number OF
women living in Bennett and kirkwood
streets who declared That Neely's treat
ment Of the runaway boy Was un-
necessarily rough
While Neely was making his way to
The police station, the police patrol
was on lis way 10 the scene OF The
trouble. in response 10 hurry cali On
the arrival OF The police they found
Scott vrying bitterly. The boy was win
Park Guard Evans and he was taken TO
the police station. where he was charged
with being a runaway.
While at the police station the
y0ungster related portiop Of his HES
troubles and told how. when his mother
and father separated last year. he was
committed TO the Dover jail by ms
mother. who he said, ran away win
another man While in jail, the boy
SAYS he contracted influenza and for
awhile his life was despaired Of.
lie was sent to the reform school
and SAYS he was treated roughly there,
six weeks ago he said he decided TO
run away and came 10 this city where
ne went TO the home Of his uncle,
Charles Scott. at No 9i2 Bennett street,
and since then he had been living
there.
Several weeks ago the boy cut his
hand on a bottle and this wound was
opened today during the trouble at
Kirkwood Park. and prior to the at
tack made on him.
The police say the arrest or Neely
was ordered by citizens who had wit
messed tine alleged assault on inc boy.
These people say the child was thrown
10 the ground and iramped ON by
Neely. Witnesses are Ms. Georse
Webber. OF No. i0i7 Bennett street:
Miss Zelia Hahn. OF No. 1000 Bennett
street. Miss Mary Wempdt OF No. 1901
Dennett street: Miss Annie Jordan. OF
No. 1927 Bennett street. and Maud "a p
dova. OF No. 72J East Eleventh stree
Neely denies. he treated the boy
roughly. According TO his report 10
SUPERINTENDENT Morrison Of the schooi'
he SAYS he went 10 the Scott residence
and the runaway boy came 10 inc
door. Neely. who is assistant supern-
tendent OF the school, at once took
hold OF him and started with him TO his
automobile. two blocks away. Just as
Neely was starting the auto he says the
scott boy leaped out and ran. Neely
pursued him. The boy tripped on the
grass near KirkwOOd Park and fell.
Neelv saws. cutting his hand on a bot
lie. Neely overlook him. and the boy
grabbed him by the leg. Neely says
he showed the boy loose it being this
treatment Of the lad that the women
and other witnesses objected to. Neely
then turned the boy over TO Park
Guard Evans, he says, and went TO his
auto to drive away, a crowd following
him and striking at him. one man
Jumped on the running board OF the
auto and punched him on the chin.
Neeley then drove to the police station,
where he was confronted with a war
rant charging him with assaulting the
boy. lie denies that he tramped on the
boy and says he treated him no more
roughly than was necessary to break
the boys hold on his leg.
Superintendent Morrison says the
Scott lad is serving his second com
milment at the Ferris school. He has
escaped several times, Morrison says.
and the last time he fed about nine
days ago. he says the boy took some
money and a suit OF clothes that did not
belong to him. Neely. who served as a
soldier at Chateau-Thierry and i'm other
battles I'm France. was released on bail
Immediately after his arrest. Superin-
tendent Morrison says the Scott boy
recently had been put in the class OF
TRUSTEES" or boys who were not re-
stricted so closely at the school.