Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 225, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 September 1919 — Back With Fame [ARTICLE]

Back With Fame

Youth Out on Probation Redeems Himself. Ban Francisco Boy Makes Good Serving in War as Army Captain. San Francisco.—Three years ago Thomas J. Ford, a youth of. 19 years,| walked out of Superior Judge Frank; Un Grifflß*s courtroom, grateful for a chance and. vowing he '"Would make good. Three charges of grand larceny Were against his name. Judge Griffin placed the lad on probation on one charge and carried the other two on the reserve calendar. Recently Captain Thomas J. Ford of the Canadian army walked into Judge Griffin's courtroom. t Tve made good,” he told Griffin,

simply, “and I came back just to thank you for having given me the chance." Then he told his story: “After you prermitted me to go I joined the Canadian forces as a private. I went to France' and into action. It was real action, too. My. regiment fought in some of the biggest engagements. I wanted to make good and. to show you I could, and that carried me through some tight places. I rose in the ranks, surprising myself at the way I forged ahead. I even won distinction for bravery under fire.” “You have earned more praise than i this court can bestow on you.” said' Griffin. ‘'Besides doing our country an honor you are one of the many men that have convinced me that the probation law Is successful.” ? Then Griffin directed that the two remaining charges against Ford be erased from the calendar. Ford was arrested three years ago

because of his practice of taking automobiles that did not belong to him to take women friends joyridipg.