Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-11
ANDRIA GAZETTE
TAUNTON (MASS. J GAOL.


During the past year, sixty-six individuals
have been committed to this gaol for debt; and
tiity-two for criminal offences. About half the
debtors were released within a week from the
time IF their commltta, and thirteen of the cri-
mnas we're brought from New Bedford gao, to
be tried in that town. There are now in gaol one
debtor and five criminals, including Seth Braiey
Twenty. eight years ago last October, this ind-
vidual, sea Captain of New Bedford, was
brought to that town for numbering his wife. and
afterwards attempting to kill himself by cutting
his threat He was supposed by some TO have
been insane. and by others to have affected insa
nifty 10 order to avoid the penalty which the law
inhcts upon the murderer, He was brought to
the bar to answer for the offence: but he refused
to plead and the evidence of mental derange-
ment was sufficient to induce the judges. after
an examination of the case. TO remand him 10 Dri
son, as it would be manifestly unsafe for HIM to
90 at large. Year after year has since rolled
away, and the story of the murdsr las faded
from the recollection ~ the community, until 1t
is a circumstance Of rare occurrence for any one
to inquire after the insane man
Twenty.eisht years have passed away. and old
Braley is still in his sIonmy cell. generation
has passed from the earth since he was first i'm
murcd within the desUate walls OF his prison
house, and yet he is not permitted to 20 at large
During the whole Of his term, he has never been
sick. with the exception of a slight cold. which
lasted him but tvo or three days. Daring this
sl,sht indisDns,tion. he was asked " he would
have a phys,Cian-' No. said he, 'don't bring
your doctors here. Nature must work its own
cure He has never been shaved during his
long confinement; set his keeper informed US
tina, he was very clean!v. AT one time he was
afflicted Nv the tooth ache; physician came to
extract the tooth. but he would not permit him
to enter his cell for that purpose. He took the
instrument from him. and having fastened il up.
Oh his tooth. he extracted ii himself. He tyies
himself the true Got. and, with n mani,c's con-
s,stencv, he never asks for any thing. Tor the
true God to use his own words, 'never wants
any thing When any one, as u doubling his
claim, asks him whv, if he Is the true God, he
does not open the duors Of the prison and walk
FORTH Who are vnu, he replies in rage, to
ask such aque>loo?' He often gives an account
of some If rhe circumstances "hich occurred im-
mediu,eIy before his imprisonment
Ii Is geuera,iy to the following import | was
drawn as juryman to attend at the September
term of The Court IN Taunton. | came up. but
saw nothing for me tn do. | waited, and wait.
ed, and waited. bu, nobod, employed me, and
returned home. When [ arrived there, they
stared at me, and asked me why had come SO
snon. heard whi>perings, and my wife asked
me strange questions. Every thing around ne
looked strangely. IN the morning | arose and
wen, 10 the clnset and took something to drink,
and very soon il was all hurry 6uriy When is
nv trial coming OIL am ready. Let them
! come and take me am ready tn 90 to the gal.
lows. Il is not known whether he was addicted
to the habtual use of ardent spirits. bu, II ~ pro-
babe that he drank some distilled liquor on the
morning of the murder. His keeper has often
asked him what he did after hp drank the liquor
but he uniformly replies. il Was ali hnrty on ~
Old Bradley, as he il called. Is man "i ,ioian'
temper, but if he is mt crossed. he seneraily
con, erses nationally. and appears very molten
sive.
For four years past, he has had an inmate OF
which he seems very tond. It's cat;- night
she reposes upon his bed, and great part of the
day she sits upon his shoulder. Snr eats tr"u,
the same dish, aud he usual y permits tir'' to
pu in her paw an,I take the piece she ''srs best.
She sometime comes out of the cell. but s""n re-
turns Withou, her I've soon becomes uneasy. -
He generally appears to tie con cn'rd with his
lot except when the subject Of the ,ase "f ms lm
prisonmeni is Introduced; then he winds up his
story by saying . | am ready for trial. Why do
thew not try me!
these are some of the facts in relation to old
BraIev. LIE, those to whom G'd is continuing
their reason b. grateful; and testify their graft
tude by Eever resortin2 to any OF those stmuants
which tend TO drive her from her throne.