BOY OF 12 HELD FOR MURDER PURSUES STUDIES; DOES NOT REALIZE SERIOUS SITUATION
By Marguerite E. Knipe
Sorry, but asserting it was entirely an accident, 12-year-old Mark English, Tower City, awaits trial for murder at the next term of criminal court, cheered by messages from his school chums and pursuing his studies as forwarded to him from his teacher in the Tower City eighth grade. When visited in his rather comfortable and attractive room in the County Detention Home, he was perusing a story of Colonel Charles Lindbergh, the hero of his youth as he is the hero of other boys of his age. He spends his time reading magazines and his school books.
Apparently he does not realize the enormity of the charges which hang over his head, nor does he comprehend fully what may be the outcome if his case should receive unfavorable consideration at the hands of a jury. Rather, his attitude is one of enduring a necessary corrective measure until such time as shall be formally released to return to his home and school.
There are no tears or sobs, although there is every evidence of genuine regret for what has happened. He talked freely of the fatal shooting of nine-year-old Raymond Schnell, telling the story as though an eye witness to a fatal accident. He said he picked up a pistol from the seat of an auto, was examining it, and then it went off. Raymond happened to be standing in the line of fire, and fell mortally wounded. Mark said he did not intend to play cowboy or bandit, he did not order him to throw up his hands, in fact, he does not remember that he said anything. All he does remember is a loud report and the crumpling in his tracks of his little companion.
The charge of murder against Mark English is causing widespread attention because of his tender youth.
He is the youngest person on record to be held on a similar charge in this county, having been indicted by the Grand Jury for murder on the 12th of November [1931].
The shooting occurred on the 28th of October [1931], when a revolver in his hands was discharged while he was showing it to playmates, and the bullet killed Raymond Schnell, aged nine, of Tower City.
I paid Mark a visit at the Detention House, and, as I was going up the steps to his room, the attendant in charge remarked that he was an obedient boy, and had not caused trouble of any kind since being there, being polite and willing at all times, and further added that he felt, as did many, that the tragedy was purely accidental.
The door of Mark’s room was unlocked, and he was sitting at one of the four windows in his room, reading a book. The room is furnished with two cots and a bench. The bare, painted floor is covered with an occasional rug.
He looked up from his book and smiled and, as I stooped over his shoulder to see what he was reading, discovered he was a Lindy hero worshipper, and was reading a story in a magazine on the the “Return Visit of Lindbergh.” What an excellent opening for a conversation. Mark has been following Lindy and his adventures ever since his famous flight to Paris, and has read about every bit of literature about the Lone Eagle.
Aviation is rather a fad of his. He has ridden high in the clouds at the Sheridan Field. When asked whether he enjoyed it, he said, “Pop says I like it so much I did not want to come down.” He made toy planes from wood and paper composition and flew them, and has seen quite a few movies on aviation and aviators, “Byrd’s Trip to the South Pole” being one he enjoyed immensely. As this little fellow sat on the small white bench with his head supported on one chubby hand, he chatted interestingly about lots of things.
Mark is in the eighth grade of the Tower City schools, taught by Miss Christina Gable, from whom he received an interesting letter, telling all about school activities, and relating humorously their experiments with aromatics and smelling salts.
He is a bright pupil, and has a usual average of “C” in all his studies. One of the boys, in writing to him, said their marks were lower since he was away, as they did not have his papers to help them in their work. His school books have been brought in to him, and he studies during part of his day. Included in his studies are Spelling, Arithmetic, Civics, First-Aid and Literature, the last his favorite study.
He is a great reader, and has a small library of his own at home with 40 books, including many authors. He has two Zane Grey books, a number of boys outdoor stories, books on aviation, as well as some of the Alger books.
Like all boys, he likes out-of-door sports, and plays tackle on his school football club. in the summer he plays baseball and goes swimming. Did you ever find a boy yet who does not have or pines for a dog? Mark’s dog is Ben, a bird dog. Then he has some other pets, rabbits, Flemish Giants, and enjoys caring for them.
I learned as he chatted along that his birthday comes on the 31st of March, so that he is just about mid-way between birthdays. He attends St. Paul’s Lutheran Sunday School, and is in a class of boys in the Intermediate Department, taught by Miss Schrope. His Quarterly with pupil’s version of the lessons, and a Bible are among the books he has with him.
His playmates call him “Mic,” while the boy he considers as his best chum is Johnny Peifer, who lives across the street. Roller skating, hiking and just regular boy games are all included in the things he likes to do.
Mark showed no hesitation to talking and answered boy-like with a monosyllable, or, if a question on a subject in which he was extremely interested, quite volubly.
He has a habit of holding his hand over one eye when talking and runs his fingers through his hair, while every once in a while he gives you a big smile.
He is a help to his mother, running errands, carrying coal, emptying ashes and was not hesitant in telling that he helps his mother with the dishes when she is very busy. He likes to go to the movies and enjoys the Gang comedies, Micky Mouse and any other picture “that is good,” especially out-of-doors or western pictures.
Boys do like to eat and so does Mark. Ice cream is his favorite dish, and when I asked him about chicken he said, “Oh, it’s all right.” His aunt had just sent him a box of candies, apples, etc., which he proudly exhibited.
They have a Boy Scout troop in Tower City, but, as the boys must be 14 years old to join, Mark has to wait a while. He wants to join them and looks forward to the time he is old enough to do so.
Most boys cherish an ambition to do something or other when they grow up, so I asked Mark what he wanted to do. No, he did not think he was going to be an aviator, but he runs errands and does little things about a store for one of the storekeepers he thinks he would like to work in or own a store.
He is well known in his home town and said that not only did he run errands for his mother and the storekeeper, but for Dr. Karterman, going to the post office and doing other little chores for him.
He and some of the boys go trapping for skunks and weasels and Mark has caught a few in his traps and has received a bounty for their skins.
Mark had a bow an arrow, but when the arrows were lost, he gave the bow to his cousin when he came to Pottsville.
While I hesitated in broaching the subject of a gun, Mark did not and talked readily of guns, telling me he has never had one, but had been allowed to shoot out of his cousin’s bee-bee gun. When asked if he could tell when a gun was loaded, referring to the one in the tragedy, he said he did not.
Mark said, “I knew the man, he came to our house, so I was sitting in his car, I sat on something hard and looked under the blanket and there I found the gun. I got it and showed it to two girls, and Raymond was in front of me. I did not say anything to him,” he answered when I asked whether he said ‘Hands up’ or some other phrase the boys delight to use when they handle a gun. No, he did not say anything. “He stood in front of me, and it went off.”
The meaning of the word “Murder” is not understood. Its gruesome significance does not grip this childish mind, and he relates to happening in quite the same manner that he might speak of seeing another boy drown or meet death at a hand other than his own.
When he said, “I was going to join the Boy Scouts,” how I longed to say to him, “Mark, you will join the Boy Scouts. You are only a baby and you shall be given the chance to do things.”
It seems inconceivable that a child so young, one with all the boyish traits, likes and dislikes, should have so serious a charge hanging over him.
He is chubby, weighing about 105 pounds, and is about four feet, nine inches tall. Sparkling dark brown eyes, rosy cheeks, with a generous sprinkling of freckles, a thatch of dark brown straight hair, even teeth and a wide mouth describe the boy. he wore gray knickers, black oxfords and colored golf hose, a blue shirt and striped tie. He is a neat appearing little fellow, and takes pride in his appearance.
He is not forward, having just the usual amount of reticence found in a boy nearing his teens. Usually he is of a sunny disposition, not inclined to be sulky and is well liked. He had read most of the books at the Detention Home, and, as he likes regular boys’ books, he has been promised some more to read.
He does not stay in his room all day, but comes downstairs with Mr. and Mrs. Daubert, listens to the radio and mingles with the other little folks there, through their parents’ misfortunes.
So I left Mark in his room in the Detention Home with his book with the Lindy story still open before him, and surely thoughts of his playmates, his parents, his brother and sister, his pets and the thought of the approaching holidays surging through his mind.
A lovable little fellow shut away from freedom through an accident.
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Above from Pottsville Republican, November 21, 1931. Obtained from Newspapers.com.
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