Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-02-17
IMPRISONMENT OF INNOCENT MEN


The following is an extract from an in
teresting article, under he above head, in
a late number Of the n, Y. Evening Post:
Who has no, heard of the ncgro freeman
now awaiting execution at Auburn. He
entered the prison at Auburn, ifthe testimo
ny of worthy men who have Investigated
the case can be relied on, an innocent boy
of is, and was rendered insane by the cru
eli treatment he there received. BY sin
gle blow with two inch board from bru
al keeper he was knocked down and his
sense of hearing almost destroyed, and be
returned 10 the world onI y TO commit the
most airocious murder that has shocked
the moral sense Of the people in many
years.
The case Of the imprisonment Of an in
nocent man came to our knowledge few
days since; and although we are informed
that bis conduct during his confinement was
perfectly uneXceptionabe, yet the safer
ngS he was forced 10 witness within those
walls were sufficient to chill the warm life
blood as it coursed through his veins. The
circums ances OF this case are very inter
estng, and we relate them to show how
easy il is for an innocent man 10 be thrown
into prison.
J-C-was by birth an liishman, who
emigrated TO this country several ycnts
since, and settled in Michigan. Like mos,
of his countrymen who emgrate to this
country, he had not received the benefits
of an early education, ard consequently
was unable 10 read or write; but, by dinl
of untiring industry and frugality, he sue
ceoded in gathering together sufficient 10
become the purchaser Of a farm in that
state. Alter working his farm for few
years, he determined 10 get married TO a
young gill whom he had wooed and won,
and who had subsequently removed TO the
city Of Rochester in this state.
Leaving lis house in charge Of man
whom he had hired he set off for Roches
ter, but the roads beng in very bad con-
dtion he was upset and injued several
times, and, arriving at Lockpolt, he deter
mined TO remain there a few weeks until
the roads should be in better condition
for travelling. BY trade he was mason,
and not desiring 10 live in idleneSs he so't
and obtained work on the canal. One day
being out of work, he went into a grocery
store OF an acquaintance, who lei him,
while he went 10 attend TO some business in
another part Of the building, leaving two
small children in the stone with him. While
addressing Mr.. c. desired to borrow six
dollars of hin, saying that he had TO go a
short distance, and was in pressing need of
that amount. Al the same time he I'm
folded bundle containing coat, vest and
pantaloons, which he offered TO leave as
security. Mr.. G. objected, giving as a
reason that he was to leave Lockport on a
certain day. The stranger told his name,
and sad if lie did not return by the time
stated, Mr.. c. could take he clothes to his
aunt, whose name and residence he gave,
who would refund him the money.
Surprising that he would be perfectly
safe in accommodating him, he gave h m
The money, and the stranger departed -
At length the day arrived when Mr.. C..
was 10 leave Lockport, and as the Stranger
had rot returned, he took the clothes 10 the
ubdSG GSIEstidt6C. hHGu Inc SeIhdut RHl
recognized them as belonging 10 gentle.
man in the neighborhood, whose house had
been broken open and robbed. The man
was Immediately arrested as the burglar,
and when the trial was called on, the two
children were brought forward to testify to
the manner in which he obtained the clothes,
but the court decided that they were TOO
young 10 be sworn, AMI therefore their tes-
timony could not be taken. Thus he was
left without a witness to prove his inno-
eence, aud the jury convicted him, and
the court sentenced HIM 10 The Auburn
state prison for fye yea He remained
there fer two years, during which time he
applied himself 10 study un the Sabbath
days, and by the all OF Sabbath school
teacher, he learned TO re a ioleFably well.
His conduct was so entirely unexception.
able thar he was respected by every one
.,hat came in contact with him in The prison.
Attic end of this time he found an OPP
poltunIiv TO make bis case known to a phil
anfhropic gentleman, who undertook TO la
qui'e into bis story and found il 10 be stliciIy
tue. Application was then made 10 the
Governor for pardon, which was refused,