NEW “DEADWOOD DICK."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 95, 17 December 1912, Page 8

NEW “DEADWOOD DICK."

A YOUTHFUL DESPERADO. Fremantle, December o. I ; As the result of reading literature of the “Deadwood Dick” order, a ten-\car-old hoy lias so conducted himself during the past week as to create unrest in several suburban residences, and to give a number of the members of the police force many knotty problems to solve. Last week the hoy was taken to the Children's Court, and temporarily detained there to allow the police to communicate with his parents, ho having been observed at North Perth clad in cadet’s uniform, armed with an array of weapons, including a tomahawk, a large-sized butcher's knife, and a 44-calibre rusty revolver. While in the yard of the Court the hoy succeeded in eluding the vigilance of his captors, and was not recaptured until last Monday, when ho was charged with having stolen the uniform referred to.

After being kept under lock and key for some time lie succeeded in escap ing. His -whereabouts remained a mystery until yesterday, although tin men in blue were doing their utmost to trace him, their efforts being spurn'd on by a succession of reports -of his exploits in the paths i f the hush ranging fraternity. He was finally captured at North Perth yesterday evening..

It is stated that after the boy had visited a certain suburban house tin owner next morning discovered that someone had spirited away his pony, .sulky, and harness some time between 10.30 p.m. and 5 a.m. Last night the boy was seen nonchalantly driving through North Perth with his capture. It was then ascertained that at an early hour on Wednesday morning tho youngster had driven out to tho residence of some friends of his parents in North Perth. Ho found the house locked up, so shortly afterwards he forced an entrance, ransacked tho rooms, and got away with some jewellery and cash. With the proceeds of this visit he disported himself in Perth, for the balance of Wednesday, leaving tho pony and sulky tied up in front of a shop After “shouting” ice-cream, lollies, etc., for a number of juveniles, he again requisitioned the conveyance but was recognised and captured.