The Vagrant and the 'Iron Jewelry'

A tall, sandy-complexioned man, aged about thirty-five years, came to Seattle from Snohomish some ten days ago and registered at one of the hotels as Owen Bartlett. Shortly afterwards, an officer of Snohomish county wrote to Chief of Police Woolery that Bartlett was a thief who had stolen money and other valuables in that section, but the parties who had been robbed did not care about prosecuting the fellow. Chief Woolery at once notified Bartlett to leave town. He promised to go, but instead of doing so, went to work for Robert Abrams, thus evading the vagrancy law. Later, evading the residence of S. J. Tute, on the Duwamish River, he stole clothing, provisions, and household articles to the value of twenty-four dollars. As soon as the theft was reported, the officers suspected Bartlett, and he was arrested. Bartlett said he had been badly treated there and stole those articles to get even. The Justice gave him a wholesome lecture on morality; then reached his final conclusion and entered a charge of larceny against him, to settle after his fine and costs were paid. He was then taken before Justice George on a charge of vagrancy, and was found guilty. He talked very sassy to the Court, and was sent to each on the streets with a ball and chain on his leg. He had little or no money, so he wrote to his mother in Oregon to send him a remittance with which to pay his fine. If she does not send it, Bartlett will put in the remainder of the season digging stumps for the city and county, at the same time wearing iron jewelry belonging to the county. By the way of the transgressor is hard.