Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-04-25
Parker II. French.

y
day from New Orleans, confirmed the
first report that reached us, that this mis-.
guided youth had Seen executed by his
own comrades. upon The double charge
of robbery and murder. ... ..
But few short years since we knew
French as a lad. whose reputation was
without blemish or reproach, and whose
daily walk was such as not only to win
the confidence and esteem Of his employ.
err, but Of the entire community in which
he then resided. OF a mild and anna
bic disposition, with business habits
rarely met with in one of his tender age;
enjoying the confidence of Hose able
and willing TO assist him in mercantile
pursuits, which but few with limited
means could command, he commenced
his commercial career in ST. Louis some
three years since, under prospects regard
ed the most fattering and promising
For season he apparently was basking
in the sunshine of prosperity, during
which period he wooed ant. won the &C.
complished daughter Of one Of the mos,
essimable and distinguished citizens of
seiyhboring State. A revulsion in his
affairs. however, speedily following his
marriage, we next heard of hi,A in New
York, where he sought to regain his
shattered fortunes, as the originator of
an expedition across tile country for the
transportation Of emigrants to California.
He left with upwards of Two hundred
passengers, and in Texas commenced
those deprada,ions upon society, which
has resulted in his paying the penalty OF
tie violated laws, by des,h. as iSno-
minious as it was ,rasical. He seems
from The beginning TO have thrown of
all moral restraint, and to have given I'D
TO desperation tina, is seldom met with
in the most hardened criminal, much less
in one who may be said 10 have been
but novice in crime. To the crime OF
forgery he soon added that Of robbery,
and finally ended the catalogue Of his
.ransgressions by becoming murderer.
There survives him wife, whose hopes
are crushed forever. and lovely infan,
daughter. upon whom, should she live
= cold, hearlless world will cast its
fowns, on account of the sins Of the
father. "
Such is the brief history of this young
man. whose name has, upon more than
one OCCASION, created SO much sensation
throughout community, from one ex.
iremity of the country to the o,I,~r.-
Ambition to acquire wealth Vas his evil
seaius. and in it's pursuit he regarded
neither the means 10 be employed nor
the consequences tina, reflection would
have admonished him were sure TO flow
from their employment. From the day
Of his embarkation for California, whose
decisive promises of fortune to all who
could reach her shores, has beguiled 81"
many from The path Of recsi.ude aud
home of conten,mens and plenty, may
be dated French's career of crime and
misery. And TO his memory, as well as
that Of hundreds of others, may the fol.
lowing beautiful stanza Of the poet, ap.
propriste.y be applied;
oh! California gold mines, what fearful
curse they've brought @
With what heart ending sorrows has that
search for dross been fraught! -.,. &.
How many fearful partings; and how many
lives untold, .a 81. ...... 1919.
Have been laid upon the altar of this raging
thirst for gold!" -...... : :
... a. r-. Erciange paper.