Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 March 1903 — Youthful Burglars. [ARTICLE]

Youthful Burglars.

Guy Potter and Orville Strain, lads about twelve years old, from Fair Oaks, occupied the attention of the court Monday. A couple of weeks ago Dr. Pi Dudley’s drug store was broken into and a small quantity of cigars and tobacco was stolen. Admission to the store was gained by removing a pane of glass from the window. On complaint of Dr. Proudly the boys were arrested, charged with the burglary. At the trial Monday the boys entered a plea of not guilty, but during the course of the trial Strain told the whole story of the burglary, how he bad entered the store, leaving the Potter boy outside to watch, how he had taken a small quantity of cigars and tobacco and where he hid them. Until the trial the boys did not seem to realize that they had done anything wrong, and made no effort to conceal their acts. The boys were pretty badly scared, however, while before the court, and it is safe to say that they will keep out of mischief hereafter. As the Strain boy appeared to be responsible for the burglary he was fined one dollar and costs and sentenced to the county jail for thirty days. The jail sentence was remitted during good behayior. The Potter boy was discharged.