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Show uu POVERTY AND A LOAD OF COJL In police court this morning Oscar Buttler admitted that he had stolen coal from the Oregon Short Line company, com-pany, but pleaded that ho was forced to do so or allow hla family to freeze. He was fined $25 or 25 days In prison, as tho court did not consider con-sider that the poverty of the man justified tho act of stealing. Buttler stated that he had made ovory possible effort to obtain work during tho winter, but Ins not been successful. As his family was cold and he hrd no money to purchase fuel, he went to the sidetracks of the railroad company and threw off more than a ton of coal. He secured tho service's of a relative, Pearly Buttler, who owns a horse and wagon, and with, 'this vehicle the fuel waa hauled 1 to the home of Oscar Buttlor. The act of the two men was seen by watchmen for the railroad and warrants war-rants were Issued for their arrest. Pearly, who was also charged with petit larceny, told the story of his relative's rel-ative's poverty and said that, In sympathy sym-pathy for the mnn, ho had helped haul the coal which he knew was stolen. Pearly was considered equally equal-ly guilty by the court and also was fined $25 or a corresponding number of days In prison. Just what action will be taken by the city to relieve the destitution of the Oscar Buttler family, while the head of the house is serving his time, Is not known. rn |