The following story appeared in the Kansas City Times, Tues, Jan 22, 1918 TEN YEARS FOR BOY ROBBERS "The ambitions of Ralph Fowler, 19 years old and Richard Robinson, 20, ended yesterday in the criminal court when Judge Ralph S. Latshaw sentenced each of the youths to ten years in the penitentiary after they had pleaded guilty to robbing six homes in Kansas City. Following their arrest the boys told the police they Robbed to get money in order they might make a "Showing" with the girls. Since Dec. 19, Fowler and Robinson obtained jewelry and clothing valued at $1,800 through their operations. Among the homes Fowler admitted he robbed was that of his uncle James S. Lapsley, former police commissioner. The boys said they formerly were employed in a bank." Hypothesis to proof ?????? A little more background... This Richard Robinson is thought to be Richard Ralph Robinson born 3 Mar 1897 Laclede Co, MO to Edith May Goldsberry Robinson (b Iowa). She divorced and remarried and three of her sons, Roy, Jesse and Richard, lived with her and her 2nd Husband,a Barber( 1910 census also listed her as born in Iowa). Based on data from various searches in the 1930's to 1950's... all three boys had apparently learned the barbering trade from their step-father and were barbers in the Oregon and/or California plus, all three died there. Roy and Jesse had registered for the draft and served in the army at the end of WW I. It was noted that Richard should have also had a draft registration card and served... but why didn't he ??. When the indexed 1920 census appeared... a search was made and a Richard Robinson, whose mother was born in Iowa, was found serving in the MO State Penitentiary. A search was then made for police and court records and nothing was found (older police and court records were destroyed). The MO Archives did locate the Corrections Dept. ledger entry on Richard Robinson, 21 yr. and he was incarcerated 21 Jan 1918 and released 3 July 1920. A volunteer searcher found the above newspaper story !!! Fowler and Robinson must have been caught sometime between 19 Dec 1917 and 21 Jan 1918.... there should be stories of the arrests in all local newspapers (Since the ex commissioner was robbed ) and each one could provide different information. Do they appear in the City Directory and working in a bank? Is there any other sources being overlooked that might provide the needed proof? Is there anyone on the KC-L that would consider digging for the arrests in different newspapers an! d the directories ?? Thank you for viewing this somewhat lengthy story..... it is an excellent case history for beginners to ponder.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you prefer to contact me directly, please do... Ken Goldsberry, goldsdlf@lamar.colostate.edu