Written By Alice Gibb
In July 1924, someone broke into John McColl’s garage in Lobo and stole the sum of $32.39. Although $32.39 may seem paltry by today’s standards, in 1924 that was likely the garage owner’s takings for the day.
Suspicion, for some reason, almost immediately fell on James Elliott, 16, who lived a mile from the village. Constable W.R. Campbell questioned the boy immediately, but no arrest was made. He then notified High Constable Wharton, and the senior officer decided to pay a second visit to the farm. He found young James asleep, and on further questioning, the boy confessed that he had robbed the garage.
Justice in 1924 was much swifter than it is today. The boy was taken to the county jail, and placed in the cells overnight. His father, a well-to-do farmer who owned 300 acres of land, was contacted on his Hespeler farm and told to appear in court.
Once the trial began, it became obvious that young James had been living all alone on the Lobo-area farm. Mr. Elliott explained that his son had remained on the farm, with a hired man, and was expected to do the farm chores while attending school. For whatever reasons, the hired man had left his position three months earlier – leaving James alone on the farm.
The father claimed that he sent money to James, expecting his son to continue his studies. Magistrate Hawkshaw was not impressed by the father’s claims.
This is, Hawkshaw told the court, “One of the most distressing cases that has come to my attention for some time, and the boy is to be pitied.” He noted that after James tended 125 acres, it was hardly surprising that he had little time for education.
The magistrate then asked Mr. Elliott if he wished his son to be tried immediately or go to trial before a judge. Mr. Elliott agreed to have the case resolved immediately.
Not only had James admitted to taking the money, but it had quickly been restored to the garage owner. Magistrate Hawkshaw ruled that the teenager could go with a suspended sentence, on the understanding that he was not to remain on the farm alone. Constable Wharton testified that James was not really bad, but that he wasn’t getting any time to pursue the pleasurable pursuits open to a youth of his age. The court agreed.
Mr. Elliott senior was then assessed $11.80 for court costs. Since young James should have been writing his entrance examinations at Coldstream school, Magistrate Hawkshaw ordered that the boy still be allowed to write his exam.
Justice had been dispensed quickly and fairly, and one hopes that a young man was able to turn his life around.
