Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 November 1917 — YOUNG BOY IS FOUND GUILTY [ARTICLE]

YOUNG BOY IS FOUND GUILTY

Of Stealing and Sentenced to the Indiana Boys’ School. Herbert R. Hedrick, a boy between 15 and 16 years old, who with his father had been employed for a few days previous in the Lawler timber west of town, broke into the home of Mrs. L. G. Monnett last Thursday alfternoon and stole a gold watch and about $2 in Change. Mrs. Monnett was away from home at the time and discovered the robbery upon her return that evening. Shortly after her return the boy’s father, John R. Hedrick, called Mrs. Monnett and said the boy had been away all the afternoon and asked if she had seen him. She said she had not seen him and told of the robbery. The boy had apparently been in trouble before and the father thought he might be implicated in this affair, so he came to Rensselaer and with the help of Sheriff McColly started a search. They found the lad about 10 o’clock that night. He had some of the money left but said he had lost the watch.

On Saturday he was taken before Judge Hanley and entered a plea of guilty, and was sentenced to the Indiana Boys’ school at Plainfield, being taken there Sunday by Sheriff McCoHiy. The father and son came here a week ago Sunday from Saco, Montana, looking for work, and secured same in the Lawler timber. They were financially embarrassed when they arrived here and were cared for by the K. of P. lodge but Mr. Hedrick has since paid all bills contracted. The boy’s mother is still at Saco. There was no work there on account of a crop failure, which caused the (father and son to come to Indiana.