The Wrangell sentinel., 1923-04-19
JUVENILE OFFENDERS PAROLED

Wm. G. Thomas saturday afternoon as result of ithe recent burglarizing of the store of A. Everson.
 Three weeks ago the store of A. Everson was broken into on a Sun day night. Some money was taken and a hat full of candy. By accident an older brother of one of the youth full burglars learned what had hap pened and proceeded to make things so uncomfortable for the boys that they disclosed where they had hid den the money. He then levied an as- sessment of 25 cents on each one of the gang to pay for the stolen candy | they had eaten. The stolen money was then returned to MT. Everson, together with pay for the stolen candy. Naturally MT. Everson was not in very good humor over the matter, but inasmuch as reparation was made he was willing to let the matter drop. The youthful burglars therefore supposed that ended the matter. But it did not.
 When the town council met last Thursday night report from the committee on health and police was called for, and the matter of the Everson store burglary came before the council. The council was of the opinion that it was a grave mistake to let juvenile burglars get the i'm pression that making reparation when they happened to get caught absolved them from punishment for their offense. The council decided to bring the matter to the attention of the Federal officers. United States Deputy Marshal H. D. Campbell. who was in the States at the time the burglary was committed, round ed up the young offenders and brought them before United States Commissioner Wm. G. Thomas Sat urday afternoon.
 The boys had evidently been made to undertand beforehand that the best possible thing for them to do was to tell the truth, and it can be said to the credit of the boys that no conflicting testimony was giyen.Two of the gang admitted having pried open the door of the stdfe with an ax and gone inside and stolen money and candy. The other four boys ad- mitted having waited outside until the two youthful burglars came out. Then they all went of together to secluded place and filled their stom- achs with stolen confectionery. Judge Thomas told the boys that on account of their tender years it was hard to deal with them as peo- pie who break into stores should be dealt with. He told them that bad boys make bad men unless they change their ways. He also made it clear to the boys that making repa- ration does not by any means make matters all right - that they are still guilty in the eyes of the law. He told the boys that inasmuch as Wrangell is an incorporated town he was going to turn them over to the mayor, for the present. The boys were then taken into the United States Deputy Marshal's office, and Mayor Grant was sent for.
 Upon his arrival. Mayor Grant talked kindly but firmly to the young offenders. In the first place he ex- pressed his regret at what had hap pened, and told the boys that when ever he was away from home he all ways told people what good boys there are in Wrangell. He said that when he first heard the report that MT. EEerson's store had been bur glarized by Wrangell boys that he l could scarcely believe it. He re- quested those who are members of the Boy Scouts to raise their hands anAall responded but one. The mayor then reminded them that must have l forgotten their Scout oath on the Sunday night that they broke into MT. ,Eyerson's store. The mayor. told the boys that he was going to give Fthem chance to redeem themselves and if they would promise to be good and stay off the streets after the cur few rings he would let them go. But he warned them that if they did not keep their promise they would be sorry. as there would be no use in showing further leniency to boys who did not appreciate being given a chance
 It is to be hoped that the boys have been awakened to a realization Of the seriousness of their offense. and that no further action will be neces- sary. The boys are, to all intents and purposes. paroled. as a charge can still be made against them in the