Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-09-09
EXTRAORDINARY SER Es OF CALAMiTIEs
STRANGE LIFE OF A HOMICIDE,

m EXTRAORDINARILY SER Es OF CALAMITIl
+ STRANGE LIFE OF A HOMICIDE.
writer in The Thomas,on Watchma
: gives the following singular biography
u James Highlcwet, recently convicted of mai
slaughter IN that county. Three years in
: dungeon, il seems, is nothing to what he ha
, endured % s...R
About twenty one years ago n young lad
. OF this section Of country, belonging TO a re
spectacle family, became tho victim of
vie seducer; The fruit was boy, who Is III
subject Of our narrative. His mother, MS i
'he case usually with those of her sex VIII,
are unfortunate, married a man OF low breed
ing and in adverse circumstances, conse.
queni'y her son was destined 10 receive but
| a limited share OF education or moral train.
lng AT tender age his character was pc.
culIar, and in some respects very extraordi.
nary. When only seven years old he was
attending sugar cane mill by some means
ms lett arm aud hand were crushed. by
which accident he forever lost the use of his
hand.
Al The aye Of len he was bitten by raj.
tlesnake, being nearly alone on tho place
ne had TO call 10 his aid all the presence OF
mind OF which he wa. master Fortunately
he used The proper anldo,e and ,hreby saved
his life In the shoI space Of n few months
he was again bitten By one of the same spe.
cies Of reptiles; by pursuing the same course
as heretofore, he was again rescued from the
jaws Of DEATH .. .0
Between the age of twelve and fourteen,
he made several attempts TO take the life of
his step father, which shows that he would
not be imposed on, Abou, that age he also
snapped several times, loaded musket a, n
neishbor. When fourteen years old, he was
Knocked down by lightning, and did no.
recover for some time. At the age of six
teen, he was attacked, while hunting in the
woods, by very large panther. The pan.
ther soon bore him down. he exhibited grca,
presence OF mind by ieignng death The
panther then carried him into the swamp,
covered him up with sticks and grass, after
which he took his leave in search of more
prey. Our hero, after the pan,hcr's depar-
turc, arose and made his escape home. He
was badly ,orn--,wo Of his jaw teeth were
RI, ID and many wounds were inflicted.
covered, and very hu' to die, for he soon re-
gave his step father a seSeEer ms recovery
left him. Excepting another slight shh'5S, anu
lightning, his path was smooth until nine
teen, when he became enaulored of young
lady; though figuring in a higher sphere,
his superior in intellect and family, yet she
was smilten by the boy Of misfortune, aud
resolved 10 marry him, notwithstanding the
opposition of her relatives, who made severe
threats against our hero. But what cared he,
who had successfully BARRED against rattle.
snakes, paulhers, and even the high powers
of Heaven, for the threats of man Nothing
daunied he continued 10 urge his claims
after finding all his efforts for compromise
unaysilng, he commenced determined
course. He procured his license, placed "A
magistrate at conspicuous poirl IN the
woods, and proceeded himself on foot 10 the
house tina, sheltered her whom he loved
secretly forced the door Of her chamber, and
conducted her about five miles through the
woods, 10 the place OF rendezvous.
Before arriving "a, the place upon which
the bymeneal altar had been temporarily
erected, illuminated by The blaze Of light
wood knots, aud the pale rays OF the moon
alone, our hero fell into his former path Of
4 "A L,.,I. 70. ba $50. L;,,,n hv I, ,nnccas;n
snake; but he was too well used to snake
bites TO suffer that occurrence TO retard his
progress al such a nomentous crisis, and like
u brave and undaunled boy, pursued his
course, aud in accordance with his aalicipa. /,
iions was lawfully married about i2 orl
O'Clock a, night His moccasin bite did not
long keep him in bed, for he then possessed
a nurse Of unceasing attention Alter his
final recovery, he carried his wife to the
home which he had provided for her, hoping
that his cup Of misfortune was then full, and
lha, he would ENJOY that bliss attending a
married life.
But he was not destined long 10 enjoy that
repose which he 50 much sought. lilo soon
became enlAngied in Il quarrel with one Mr..
Wheeler; The result Was, Wheeler was Kill
le,l, and our hero, after regular trial IN
court OF Justice, was convicted ol maosaegh-
ter aud now, ul the age ol twenty, hasgone,
leaving his wife, his anticipated babe aud
his sweet home, TO lhe peuiIenIiary, there 10
be incaleeraIed within ils dismal walls for
tho space Of three years, which 10 him mnsI
seem long, long, Who can contemplate his
past life aud moi say, Surely he is the child
Of misfortune Have his mlslorlunes ended 7
Alas who can tell 7 That fact is yet con.
cealed by the dark euriain Of fuiuTiIy
A., I..s,y SVAqtsTtca-ThaI IeIsey Civ