The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-12-30
Youth of l3, Taught to Steal,
Left to Fate by Crown
Up Bandit When
Police Come.
May Die in Hospital

tions of strang hobo hieroglyphics cut
in the posts that support the railroad
water tower back In Reno" New,
and severe pains resulting from a
black bullet wound N a shattered
limb, today We're the memories OF
Kansas City's 13.year-old Oliver Twist
of the beginning and end of his in
itial adventure in banditry.
Jimmie Rhods-small blue-eyed
and freekled-lay in his little white
bed at the City hospital and recount
ed details of his adventure "on the
road" There was a break in his
voice, and he turned his head to
wipe away a tear as he nered the
dramatic climax rigalng incidents in
the colorful life Of Oliver Twist-for
police had told him boy capable OF
staging a robbery was old enough TO
take the consequences without dem
onstration.
But Jimmie, orphan for seven
years, confided that he wasn't the
hardened criminal he was painted by
minions of the law and added:
Didn't Like Reno.
81 couldn't stand Reno any longer.
The town cramped me. and then there
was the call from somewhere within
me OF the trail leading on much
farther down the railroad tracks than
had ever been permitted TO go.
Then I met jack
At the mentioning Of the youthful
soldier of fortunes red-headed
Fagin, who coached him In crime and
who In the critical hour deserted him.
leaving him to answer alone for the
attempted robbery. Jimmie's throat
"clogged.' and the lxind-faced nurse
in his ward.s who probably remem-
bered the temptations confronting her
own son when he was the age of
Jimmie. asked that he not be ques-
toned further, Tor he was -trying 20
forget"
Outside the ward she took up the
narrative, explaining that the boy
had met his confederate and tutor
in crime, one Jake Deming. several
weeks ago in Columbus, Ia. shortly
after he had run away from the
home of his guardian, Mrs. Grace
Klein. sniteher, in Reno. Deming
was 35 years old and well versed in
methods of collecting large sums Of
money by means of the burglars
jimmy.
Coached by Thug.
The youth. under Deming's instruc-
tions, took his first fling at burglary
in Laclede. Mo He entered n store
there and obtained provisions. while
Deming acted as lookout
Fired by the ease with which he
accomplished his first Job" the boy
bandit. upon arriving in Kansas City.
set forth to replenlsh the pairs dwin-
ding supplies. Again Fagan con-
scented to act as lookout.
Jimmie entered the store by means
OF the basement, while his companion
waited behind. !. b. Freeman. night
watchman. heard footsteps approach
ing on the stairs. The intruder
pounded the door until It was loos-
ened from its hinges and fell.
Freeman's "A caliher revolver spoke.
There was scream. the patter of
tetreating footsteps those 10 Dem.
ingl. and again all was quiet The
boy had tainted.
Rushing past the motionless form,
Freeman sought to apprehend the
youths aeeomplice. but a second shot
only served TO accelerate the speed
at which Deming was leaving the
scene.
Shot In Calf.
The bullet had found It's way deep
into the calf Of Jimmie's leg. PLY.
sicians at the hospital said such a
wound in "A healthy boy would not
prove serious; hut in HIS few months
as knight Of the road. Jimmie's
health had been considered a non.fm-
portant factor. and blood.polsoning
is feared.
In that event, Jimmie would not
have an opportunity TO prove the
sincerity of his promise to friendly
hospital attendants. which he recites
daily with all the altruism of n 13-
yearold orphan boy who knows how
To appreciate friends once he finds
them.
"I'll never listen 10 bad advice OF
anybody any moreover again''
Jimmie. II he RECEIVERS. will be
turned over TO tho local juvenile
authorities. who probably Will re
mnnd him to the Detention home.