Convicted of stealing tobacco.
--Yesterday morning,
William Robinson and
William Wickers, both negro boys, were tried by
Colonel McEntee, Provost
Judge, on the charge of burglariously entering Castle Godwin and stealing therefrom a large quantity of tobacco, the property of
Charles G. McMillan.
From the evidence of
Mr. McMillan, it was shown that, on the morning of the 11th instant, he visited the
Castle, situated in
Lumpkin's alley, where he had stored away a large quantity of tobacco.
On trying the door, he found it unlocked, whereupon his suspicions were excited, and he immediately instituted a search of the premises.
In a short while he ascertained that sixty- eight boxes of tobacco, averaging over twenty pounds each, had been stolen.
Going from the main building to the kitchen, he there discovered the accused in the act of opening two of the boxes which had been stolen on Sunday night from his store-house, while a short distance from them were six other boxes, which also belonged to the lot he had lost.
Upon ascertaining these facts,
Mr. McMillan arrested the parties.
Wickers, one of the accused, a boy of about twelve years of age, attempted to exonerate himself from the charge by stating that, early on the morning of Monday, while passing Castle Godwin, he was called into the kitchen by
Robinson and two white boys, who proposed to sell him some tobacco.
He declined purchasing because he had no funds; whereupon they prevailed upon him to assist them in opening the boxes and assorting their contents.
He knew nothing of the robbery; otherwise he would not have gone into the kitchen.
At the conclusion of the evidence,
Judge McEntee decided to send
Robinson to the penitentiary for two years. Wickers, in consideration of his extreme youth and apparently honest statement, was released.
Two white boys, who were arrested on the same charge, will be examined before
Mayor Saunders.
