Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-13

Cdihe Diuhteu, anu INC 'H'uous impressions lef.
upon his mind, gradually faded away and brc,m M
almost totally obliterated.-While thus situs,oJ
he committed larceny in the State of MarvIsnd
for which he was sentenced to some years b.S !
labor in the Pententiary. While confined ,h mara
he became acquainted with Porter and POI.
the two other individuals concerned in tho - =,
robbery. After serving out his time. he v.s nal
leased; and some time afterwards. meetina DE- ae
ter and Poteet, he renewed with them thar ;0 W.
macy which had been commenced within tbs D.
nitentiary. Among other projects of purds.
proposed among the three, that Of robbnr u
mail was started. To this George assert. ut
expressed unwillingness; but that lie was Gn.n
overawed by the threats of the others. who lor,'
him to become partner in the scheme Of rIru 4
der.
Their first movement was TO break Oroo
house and steal fire arms. They next de,,.
mined upon robbing the great Western Mall
tween Philadelp hia and Pittsburg, and lef, y.
city with the intention of doing so. Arrival VIZ
West Philadelphia, small village directly "a.
the Permanent bridge. they stationed them.eI',,,
in shingle-shed on the edge of the hin p l.s
overlooks the Schuylkill, and in the cenreo +,1
village. Here Georges heart failed him: S S
fearing to give an open refusal, knowing ,Is ' :,
wage and desperate character of his assor,s y
he feigned sickness. While the other two Vs,'
consulting whether it would be safe for them ;,
attempt the robbery, the maiI-stage drove BY
The whole party then moved across the fcJ,
Porter and Poteet swearing violently at Georrs
and declaring they would have game Of some e.
kind before morning. They accordingly ,y !,
wait for the Kimberton Mail. When i dIo,s
up, Georges better genius forsook him, and h.
assisted in the robbery.
Encouraged by their success, Though the mo.
ney they got from the mail bag did not e,ce,j
$780, they attacked the Reading Mail. The D,r.
ticulars of which are too well known to need
recapitulation here. In that adventure not Sa9
were obtained. Immediately on perpetraring,b,
robbery, they returned to Georges lodging, IN
South street, in this city, where all the letter.
and papers were DESTROYED. From thence the,
divided themselves, to elude detection, until
they again met in Baltimore, where Poteet sbo,
at the Keeper of the Maryland Pemtentiary. and
put ball through his hat, an offence for which
he is yet to be punished. Here. jealousy of each
other crept into the minds of all. and each one
became suddenly apprehensiye that the other
had betrayed him. Mutual confessions followed
each being anxious to be the first to disclose III.
secret, and purchase his life by turning round
and testifying against his companion. They were
all very soon arrested and brought to this CITY.
For better security, application was made to Mr.
Wood, the Superintendent of the new Peniten
tiary. to receive George until his trial should
come on. To this Mr.. Wood was induced only
by pressing solicitations of several gentlemen a.
the regulations of the new Peniten;iary iusii,
him in refusing all untried prisoners.
When it was announced to Mr.. Wood that one
of the mail robbers had arrived, he went down
to receive him. His old protege, in the person
Of George Wilson, stood before him! They had
not seen each other since the day he was placed
with Mr.. Hagany! Judge. then, Of the surprise
of his benevolent patron at the soulSafilictre
meeting; for he had not the least idea that Geo
Wilson the mail robber was the same peniient
George he had, as he thought, SO encouragingI
settled many years before. The moment the
latter saw the face of his well-known friend, /
torrent of blood rushed up into his cheeks, and
he hung down his head, overcome with sham.
and confusion. Approaching nearer to him, Mr. |
Wood inquired, unable TO conceal his sorrOvh
surprise, Why, is this thee. George; Il |
possible it is hee.3" 4" Yes, Mr.. Wood" n.
piled the unhappy prisoner, "if that man va
left me with at Wilmington had only kept
would never have been in this scrape. :"
Immediately on Mr.. Hagany learning thai Is
old apprentice was in so awful difficulty. b
came up to this city for the purpose of uin
him. The interview was affecting beyond DE-
scription. He exhorted him to turn his thOu.Nr
inward and towards heaven-told him that ,6
time on earth was short, that death was newt
able, dreadful and ignominious as it vas to b.
From this interview George came out an ALTERED
character, in appearance at least. TbepH'
conversation of his former friend melted the ID
happy youth into tears, produced sensible a1f
serious change in his whole department Ii
asked for bible, and said that, as his time va
short, he had better use it to the best adSan,a!r
Such are the principal features in the life q
Geo. Wilson. A neglected childhood more
than any natural depravity of heart, has Drols"
him to the most awful depth of human m'ety;-
At the early age of four-and-twcnty. he hr ~.
feited to the offended laws of his country oa
life, which, with proper culture, mig ut b',~''
honorably spent among his fellow clHen'-'
comfort to the old age of his poverty stricken ~
Their, and source of proud reflection TO NLn'''
Now. how dark and terrible the prospect 'e'I
4 lac