Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-03-19

DEATH OF Dr. BRADDEE, THE MAIL RoBBER. :
We learn from the Commercial Journal of Pittsburgh,
that on Friday night this notorious, and, in many
respects, remarkable man, died i'll his cell, in the
Western Penitentiary. He was convicted of robbing
the mall and imprisoned, it will be remembered, in
ISL, pursuant to sentence by Judge Baldwin, for ten
years. The Journal says;
Shortly after his incarceration, he conceived the
idea Of procuring his Liberation by Stimulating de-
cline of health For this purpose he would prick his
gums with the avis, which were supplied to him in
the vocation he had chosen, that of shoemaker, and
having saturated his towel with with blood, al
ways prepared for the stated visit OF physician or
chaplain, with this evidence of a dangerous hemOr-
rhage from the lungs, to which he was always
full to add a difficult and painful respiration. His
physician able, sometimes, to engage the suffer-
ing doctor in conversations, in which he would be-
come sufficiently animated to forget his painful
breathing but the instant that he would recollect
himself, the difficulty would return. These practices,
ii is believed brought the disease which terminated
his life, and he died last of pulmonary affection.
Until two weeks before his death his disease had
not assumed formidable type, but then he began to
sink rapidly Up to this period he had steadily and
vehemently asserted his innocense of the crimes
imputed to him, but so soon as he became convinced
that his recovery impossible, he confessed his
guilt, and although restrained by prudential
considerations from farther illusions to this point
may venture to add, that in his confession he has
implicated several persons who had been suspected
of participating IN his crimes.
1t is known that Braddees wife, who chung to him
during his trial. and suggested by her presence and
signs of affection, that beautiful apostrophe to love
In anguish, with which Mr.. Bidde, in Braddee's de-
fence, electrified the crowded auditory, had been
unaithful to her vows, and married another during
Braddee's Imprisonment. He not made acquaint-
ed with the fact and, for the five years he was in
confinement, he fond of opportunity of talking
about his &" wife and children" He spoke of them
in terms Of affection, and undoubtedly his de-
sire to his liberty was stimulated by attach
ment to them; even after he became aware that he
must soon die, he desired to be at liberty if it
were to die III barn, to the end that he might not
die prisoner. But de learned the conduct
of his wife, he instantly ceased TO wish for freedom.
1t was the final blow to the poor convict the unex-
pecteG thrust like that which extorted the BILE
et tu Brute, commanding surrender; and, poor fellow
he gave up at once He never after mentioned wife
or child desired to beyond the limits of Lis
cell. The name of his wife was avoided with an iron
will, although for the previous years of his conne
ment, it had been pleasant and hopeful theme.
A question was a long time existing whether Brad
dee could read write. In his last illness it was
satisfactorily ascertained that he could do neither
although every effort in the earlier part of his impr
sonment to determine the question unsuccessful
Braddee died penitent, it is believed If he wa,
very great villain, he seems to have had, neverthe
less room his heart for aectionate impulses
and we cannot record his fidelity 10 his wife withou
feeling a regret that she proved unfaithful.