Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-09-13

Parker was born son-content and
happiness in their ousehold-their plain
cabin was one of the genial homes" of
the neighborhood; and its merry makings
were the plesantest of which the young
folks attended.
There was one who had no pleasure
in this enjoyment but whenever he OBJ
served it, or it was spoken of in his pres
ence, feelings were aroused switch make
men fit for s'stratagems and spoils."
Twas a winter night; piercing winds
made blazing fires comfortable, the dry
J snow crashed beneath the farmers tread,
luriG fame rose in the all, and as il
cleaned over the earth's winter covering,
dispelled the darkness for miles around
the mansion of Williams family. Their
large wel-stored barn was in flames;
every possible exertion was made to save
/ it, but without success, and its ruins
where were buried the ashes Of num-
| Der of fine cattle and superior horses.
with farming utensils, and grains and
fruits, to the value of several thousand
dollars.
Ii was the work of an incendiary,
without a doubt. Who could be the
villain! was a question anxiously dis
cussed.
Varions suspicious were started and
at length rumor became current that
Jared Parker was suspected. He was
arrested, and examined, and strange to
declare, almost without testimony to JUS
tfy suspicion was held to trial.
The strifes which existed between
Jared the accused, and Herbert, now the
injured, were speculated upon; facts were
distorted, actions misrepresented, and
many who had oftentimes spoken highly
of Jared's quiet mild nature, now talked
of il as mask of wicked passions and
long nursed revenge-for what?-tew
had definite idea. but he was under
suspicion of crime, and with some per.
sons this is always equivalent of actual
proof of guilt.
i Anne had fearful forebodings, but
Jared told her not 10 fear, protesting his
innocence-in which she had every con-
i fidence-yet she feared the result OF
Vaccinations which might be invented
against him. Jured had no suspicion of
what testimony could be produced, and
made no preparation for his trial, conf
dent that he would be acquitted.
On the day Of the trial the Court
House was crowded with the friends of
the accused and the accuser. A distor-
ted history of Jared and Herbert's COM
petitions were presented TO the jury; then
woman named Brown, who had been
many times Hospitality entertained at
Jared's home, was put upon the witness
stand. She testified that on the the night
Of the confagration, Jared Parker came
to house where she was visiting with
| Mrs. Jacobs, asked for some fire, OBJ
tanned it, went down the lane towards
Williams farm. Mrs. Jacobs said
there was something wrong and he must
be watched. They followed him and
saw him enter the barn--in few mo.
ments the roof was sheet of flames.
Jared had been away from home that
night-he could not prove an dli6i-the
witness was cross-questioned, but in all
particulars appeared consistent, and Jared
Parker was found guilty of arson, and
sentenced TO the penetentiary fo- eigh-
teen years.
Mrs. Jacobs had removed from the
neighborhood during the time intervening
between the commission of the crime and
trial. Every possible exertion was
made by Iared's friends to ascertain her
whereabouts but without success, and he
was committed to gloomy cell in the
State Prison.
/ Anne Parker with a woman's deter
mination, where her exeriion is called
for in the rescue of loved one, resolved
that Mrs. Jacobs should be found. I'm
mediatsly she set about the search
gradually her means were exhausted
then she was pensioner on the boun-
ties Of her relatives. Every phantom Of
a rumor that gave suspicion of the wo
mans residence, was pursued by Anne,
in confidence that she should prove her
husbands innocence, until further search
seemed in vain, and it became the settled
conclusion that Mrs. Jacobs could nc
longer be among the living.
/ Twelve years had elapsed--Jared
Pa ker had yet six to atone for The
crime he stood condemned. Still he
protested his ihnocencc--still he de-
clared il would one day be proclaimed.
He was favoriie with the officers OF
the prison; his good conduct had secured
him many favors, and at length reached
the ears Of the Governor Of our Staie.--
He visited the prison, heard Jared's
story, and resolved TO institute search for
the Mrs. Jacobs described. He knew
nothing of the exertions Anne Parker
had made, because he had not told Jared
his intentions.
A lawyer was employed to conduct
the search for the woman on whom the
evidence rested. He was on visit TO
Cincinnati. and inserted an advertise
ment in the papers, that by calling at a
certain office, "this woman could learn
something greatly to her advantage"
Il v'ho l.