Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-12-30
Temperance.
ST. LOUIS CRIMINAL COURT.
SldIE 81. HslUS 0OHtS,
INDICTMENT, roH PASSING couTrHRFEII MONET

INDICTMENT, PASSING coUErERFEIT MONEY
The defndent in this case was probably, TWEEN :
~ eigh, years Of age but the appearance of at
beast thirty FIVE. He was something over six feet.
and his strongly marked features, and prom inent
forehead gave evidence of more than ordinary in
select, But you could Clearly discover that he
had become prey 10 the monster ntcmperance--
the mark Of the beast stamped upon his counie-
nance, which gave vivid and unnatural glare.
lie was placed in tho box with others who were TO
be arraigned upon the indictments preferred against
them, All the others had plead not guilty, as is
usual and day set for their trial. Tho de-
PENDENT was told TO stand up. when the clerk read
TO him the indictment, which charged him with hav-
ing the Holiday of August, passed to one Ps,rick
O'Neal, counterfeit bill, purportng to he issued
by the Cd Municipality of tho city Of New Orleans,
for the OF three dollars and upon being asked
the question. guilty or not guilty. he replied
gully, guilty. Then turning 10 the court, he
remarked that he would be glad if he could be al
lowed to make few remarks. The Judge told him
to proceed. After pause, in which he evil
DENLY endea voring TO calm his feelings, he proceed
ed ms follows;
May it please the court: in the remarks | shall
make, will not extenuate the crime, ask at your
hands any sympathy in passing sentence upon me
know that have violated the laws of my couGtry.
and Justly deserve punishment nor woul1 | recall
tho past, or dwell upon the bitter present, for my
own sake wish to do good for others is my on
iy motive.
= shall with The indulgence of the court give
brief narrative of my life, with tine hope thai those
Young mon around me may take warning by it, and
avoid the rock upon which split. was born OF
respectable parents, in the State of New Jersey and
during nv childhood received every attention
that fond parents could besiow upon an only son IL
was early discovered that had eondness for books,
and nv father, although in limited circumstances de-
tcrmiued 10 give me liberal education WINS
sent 10 u high school in the neighborh'od, and such
was nv progress, tina, at twelve years of age, my
preceptor declared me qualified for college, and
accordingly entered Of the Oldest Universities
in the country Here so Distinguished myself that
at sixteen ! graduated with the second honors OF
the insti, u,ion and returned home flushed with the
brilliant prospects that lay before me. soon alter
commenced the study of law. and when only in my
twentieth year, obtained a license TO Praciice'-
Acting upon the advice ofmy friends, de'erm'n-
cd 10 try my fortunes in the West. according y
arranged my aaifs for departure early IN thu Tall
fis33. viii! not deiain you with an account oil
my separation from those held most dear-suificr
II 10 say, that received the blessings OF my parents,
and in return promised faithfully and honestly. to
AVOID all bad company as we'll as their vices. lind
kept my promise, should have been saved this
shame, and from the load of gull. that hangs around
ME continually, like fiendish vulture, threatening
10 drag me to justice, for crimes yet unrevealed'-
But to return, left my early home, where all iad
been sunshine, aud where my pathway had been
s,rewed with flowers, to try my fortune among
strangers, and to try my strength in bufeilng the
storms and tempests of the world. With light
heart looked forward to The future, and taking :he
usual rout soon reached Wheeling. where took
passage in a boat for Louisville. On board the
boat, game of cards was proposed for amusement
and although had promised faithfully to avoid such
things still argued with mys.lfthat there was no
harm in playing game for amusement. Accord
ingly joined the party, and we kept up the dmuse-
msnt most of lheway down After we left Cincinnati
j. was proposed TO be. a bita game. merely, as u
was said, to make it interesting MY first impress
sion was to leave the table, but was told that it wa'
only a bit, that could no, lose more than one oil
two dollars. This argument prevailed, for lacked
moral courage to do what right. feared m,
companions would say was slingy ola little mon
ey. Influenced by these feelings, played, and al
the fates would have it. l won. Before we reach
ed Louisville, we had twice doubled the stake, anc
found that my luck enabled me to pay my passage
on, Of my winnings. TWAS the frat time | hae
ever bet money, and success ruined me. Again
played. and was again successful and in short,
continued to play FOR amusement. until had nc
CURED a thirst for gaming. ] settled in thriving
village In Tennessee. and commenced the praclic
ofmy profession under aattering auspices. and m,
first appearance In the criminal cout was highl,
complimen,ed, and soon became known through
on, The circuit. Thugs went on thus for more thar
syear; and behaved myself fairly on the road Il