The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-03-14
BRADDEE, THE MALI RoBBGR.

BRADDEE, THE MALI ROBBGR
The Plsburg Commercial Journal mem
lions The death Of Mr.. Bradlee, the nolou-
Gus mail robber, who died last week in his
cell in the Psnleniiary Of that city. The
Journal adds
lie was coy;cted of rOb5ing the mails aud
Imprisoned, il will be rememOcred,n 1871,
pursuant to sentence BY Judge Baldwin, Tor
zen years Shorty after his incarceration,
he conceived the idea Of procuring his 'ib.
sratlon, by stimulating decline of health.
For thIs purpose, he could prick his gums
with the avis, which were supplied 10 him
in the vocation he had chosen, that of
IShoemaker, and, saturated his towel with
blood, was always prepared for The
stated visi, Of physician or chaplain, with
This evidence of a dangerous homorrhagc
from the lungs, 10 which he was always
careful to add, difficult and painful respi-
ration. His physicisn was able, some-
times, 10 engage the suffering doctor in con-
versaiions, in which he wonld become sur.
fceuIIy animated to forge. his painful
breathing, but, on the instant that he wonld
recollecl himself, the difficulty would re,
turn. These practices, it is believed
brought ON the disease which terminated
his life, and he died at last of a pulmonary
affection.
Until Two weeks before bis death his
disease had not assumed formidable tvpe
but then. he began 10 sink rapidly. Up to
this period he had steady and vehemonlv
asserted his innocence of the crimes im-
pued 10 him, bot so soon as he became
convinced that his recovery was impossible
he confessed his guilt, and although we are
restrained by prudential consideration from
= further eusion to ihs point, we may ven-
: tuIe 10 add, that in his confe sslon he has
d implicated several persons who had not
Y been suspected Of participating in his
!, crimes.
1t is known that Braddee's wife, who
j. lcIung TO him during his trial, and sugges.
ed by her presence and the signs of aflio,
ion, that beautiful aposuophe 10 love n
1i anguish, with which Mr. Bidde in Brad
at dee's defence electrified the crowded audi,
=. tory, had been unfaithfu 10 her vows; and
married another during Braddee's imprisou-
' |ment. He was not made acquainted with
N the fact, and Tor the five years he was in
0 confnement, he was fond Of an opportunity
a. of talking about 'his wife and children. lla
, spoke Of ihem ia terms OF warm affection;
. and undoubtedly his desire 10 recover lis
!" liberty was stimulated by attachment to
ID them: even ailet he became aware that he
must soon die, lie desired to be at liberty,
even if il were to die IN barn to the end.
that he might not die a prisoner. Boz so
!, soon as he learned the eonduc. of his wife,
he instantly ceased 10 wish for freedom. II
'' was The final blow to the poor convict, the
IRE unexpected thrust, like that which exloyled
li~ the memorable et III Brute, commanding
l. surrender, and poor fellow, he gave up al
), once. lie never after mentioned wife OF
child, or desired 10 move beyond the limils
IT. Of his cell. The name Of his wife was a.
volded with an iron will. although for tho
previous years Of his confinement, it had
a. been pleasant and hopeful theme.
o. A question was long time existing
whether Braddee could read or write, IT.
his last illness, il was satisfactorily asCer,
'' Iained that he could do neither, alihougl
''N every effort in the earlier part of his imprIs
on onment 10 determine The question was uG'
n- successful.