The Yazoo Democrat., 1853-06-22
NO. 80


Tnr MILWAUKEE MUnDEn TaiAl-rbe follow.
ing letter. written to friend By the unfortunate
girl Mary Ann Wheeler. (iried for the murdsf
OF her seducer John Lace,) in Jail, was read on
trial with reference to her sanity Or insanity.
"Be not frightened, my friend, come not
from the tomb but from the entomted. come
not from the dead, bat from the living; come
not from the grave, but ihe ptison Prison. did
| say was wrong for dwell In lofdly halls.
At this you may laugh but wait a rnoment, and
viii prove my assertion. Has not many lord
alb many prince, princess, rhahya count lord.
yes, many Of our worlds renown, the proud of
every land, whose names have been handed down
cen TO the third and fourth generations; then
tell me not that don't dwell in lofily halls
live, too, like the Queen Again YOU laugh
but wait. The Queen has her subjects, am the
subjects; the Queen's subjects walt upon her,
my lords wait upon me, OF that can boast more
than she; like her, my meals arc prepared and
set before me without even giving directions as
| to how or what they shall be. Though I might
wish to- live like lady all ain required to
do is to wash my hands and dust out my little
room. What lady would DO less? The Queen
IS guarde5, too, By night / the same as IL fear
tul that some harm might bofall me :; I arr guar
ded BY double doors and treble locks: and she
has her light by night. I the saiae and as III
fearful that the rude glare might disturb my
sleep, It's placed in the ouler room, where the
soft, mellow light that is rejecting into my
room, could not disturb the sweet slun1ber OF the
infant There. too, the vigilaht watcher takes
his station, with attentive ear 90 every strange
sound. No enemy can approach, Cor friend If
they wish to-
You may think me rather Iight and traing,
when in consideration of the future not so. the
gloom l felt some weeks before / came here
seems to grow upon me- but being naturally Of
a gay disposition the gloom will pass away, and
all seems for few moments bright and gay
again then like the sun which in a dark and
| cloudy day finds an opportunity Of peenng
through some ragged cloud, makes the face Of
nature. yes, cen laugh with delight, and then
hides itself again behind some dark clouds that
nature may feel more deeply the gloom that en-
shrouds il. Tis not the future that makes me
gloomy, for he my fate what il may, Ce'en the
worst.) am perfectly reconciled. There is but
one point from which shrink that is. that my
shame must be taken upon the lips Of cruel un-
feeling lawyers, who will have no care OF respect
for the victim before them, rot caring what her
wrongs and injuries have been, though her heart
may be bleeding at every pore in that though
intend to foil them. You wish to have an ex-
planation. shall not give one at present, save
that do not intend TO kill myself Perhaps you
would like 20 know how fare here. First Mr..
and Mrs. White are very kind to me. Mrs. w.
has given me the privilege of sending 10 her table
for any little delcacy my appetite might call for
The turnkeys also very kind. have just
been eating piece Of pie sent me BY Mrs. Bon
ham, the turkeys wife, (Nhose sons fill the
same capacity as their lather.) have enjoyed the
same luxury two or three times before, which
shows but too plainly that although poor pris-
oner, there is occasionally thought bestowed
on me. Our meals are handed to us on tin dishes;
though not allowed knife or fork ] have a
spoon with which | manage very we'll Our
coffee is handed to us in brown tin cups. AS if
to tease my appetite, and give me a better relish
for my meals, mine is sometimes handed 10 me
in clean white bowl. But am geaTying your
patience, and will only add.
EntOmbed within the prison walls,
A prisoner now / lay,
Shut out from the world am
And Gods glorious day.
Between the walls of my little cell
BE treble lock and keys confined
A prisoner alone to dwell,
No food for thought or mind.
Yet, say not so; full plenty Pve had,
In many year Of yOre-
Food enough for any mind,
For full twice my years OF more
When free at will to roam,
Nor thought Of the prisoners dismal lot
Not thinking the prison would be my home
The prisoner be my lot.
Alas twas fortune frOWned-
And frowning both dire and dark
i Al prisoner condemned to die,
II Or live to meet more dreaded fate.
Il Dreaded did say? was wfoug.
/ AS you shall plainly sec,
For If in prison or on gallows hungs
i Perfectly resigned ] shall be
l. al PRISONER.
Il TIE NATIONAL DEMOCRAT.