The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-09-06
Strange LIFE Of a Murderer.

Durango hike OF a murderer.
Awfiter IN tho Fnomasviile. Md. Watch-
nian gives the foaowiug singulas biogsa.
ply OF James Ihsh,ower. reeea,ty con-
victed OF mansiaushter in that county.
Three years in a dungeon is nothing to
wisat he has endured:
About twenty.one years age Young
lady of this section Of country became the
viclims OF vile seducer; the fruit was a
boy, who is the subject Of our narrative.
Ills mother. as is the case usually with
those Of her sex who are unfortunate, mar.
ried man Of low breeding, and in ad.
verse circumstancess consequently, her
son was destined TO receive but limited
share OF education or moral training. At
tender age his character was peculiar,
and ih some respects very extraordinary
When only seven years old, he was at
tending sugar cane mill; by some means
hisieft arm and hand were crushed, by
which accident he forever lost the use OF
ono hand. At the age of ten years he
was bitten by rattlesnake; being nearly
aisne on the place, he had to call to his
aid all the presencs of mind which he was
master. Fortunately he used the proper
antidote, and thereby saved his life. In
the short space Of few months he was
again bitten by the sams species oil rep.
tiles; by pursuing the same course as here.
tofore, he was again rescued from the
jaws OF death.
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. About that
age he also snapped, several times, load.
ed musket at a neighbor. When fourteen
years old, he was knocked down by light
ming. and did not recover for some time.
AT the age OF sixteen he was attacked
while hunting in the woods. by very
large panther. The panther soon tore
him down-he exhibited great presence
of mind by feigning 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 panther's departure,
arose and made his escape home. lie
was badly torn--two Of his Jaw teeth were
bitten out, and very many wounds were
in6icted. But he was not thus to die, for
he aoon recovered, and very soon after re.
eqyery gave his step-father, severe whip
ping and left him. Excepting another
slight shock by lightning, his path was
smooth, until nineteen, when he became
yepamoreG of q young lady; though figur-
ing IN higher sphere. His superior in.
teliect and family, yet she was smit,en by
the boy of misfortune, and resolved to
marry him. notwithstanding the opposi-
ton of her relatives, who made severe
threats against our hero. Bat what cared
he, who had successfully battled against
rattle-snakes. panthers. and even the high
power OF heaven for the threats Of man
Nothing daunted, he continued to urge
his claims after finding all his efforts for a
compromise unayailing, ne commenced a
determiEed course. He procured his IL
cense, placed = magistrate at conspi-
cious point in the woods, and proceeded
himself on foot, 10 the house that shelter
ed her whom he loved-secretly forced
the door Of her chamber. and conducted
her about five miles through the woods to
the place of rendezvous
Before arriving at the place upon which
the hymenial altar had been temporarily
urpclHns tffuminHted by me bfaze or rIghI.
wood Knots and the pale rays of the moon
alone, our hero fell into his former path
0f bad lnck, for he was bitten by moe.
casin snake, but he was too well used to
snake bites to suffer that occurrence to
Istard his progress at such momentous
crisis, and like q brave and undaun.ed
boy. pursuedshis course, &. in accordance
with his santicipations was lawfully married.
about l2 or o'clock al night. His moo.
casln bite did not long keep him in bed,
3pr be then possessed nurse of unoeas
ing attention. After his final recovery
.he.carfisd his vile to the house which he
had provided for her, hoping that his cup
Of misfortune was then full, and that he
would then enjoy. that bliss attending
.parTied life.
But he was. not destined long 10 enjoy
that repose which he SO much sought
lie soon became entangled in quarrel
with one Mr. Wheeler: the result was--
Wheeler was killed, and our hero. after q
regu ffial in a court OF justice. was
co9HIcted of manslaughter; and now, at
the age Of twenty. has gone, leaving his
wife. his anticipated babe. and his sweet
home. to the penitensiary. there 10 be
incarcsrated within its dismal walls for
the space Of three years which 10 him
must be long! longl Who can contem-
plate his past life. and not say surely he
is the child Of misfortune. Has his mis-.
fortune ended Alas! who can tell?-
That fact Is yet concealed by the dark
curtain Of futuri,y. s.5ass
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