Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-09-10
PLYMOUTH, IND.
Thursday Morning, Sept, 10, 1851.
The Gipc Case.


we cannot permit to pass unnoticed. The
Judge Processes to give the facts, and col
ors the ones he states strongly for his eli
ent. and does not give all the facts
On arraignment, GIpe plead "not gull
ty." After the appearance of Judge Stan
field as his counsel (tLe next day and
some three days after, lie withdrew it and
plead guilty" He was charged with
stealing s3,812. Fearing too much leni-
ency, and knowing all the facts, the pros
ecuticn proved TIE following before the
court. There was Gipe himself-by far
the best dressed and bes: looking man in
the court ROOM That he was above medi-
um in talent, address, and ability, for his
age. That he went 10 Rochester In the
Spring, 10 clerk for DR.. Plank That he
was discharged on suspicion Of stealing
That he went TO DR.. Lemons Express
Agent here in May 10 study medicine and
clerk in the office. That Dr.. Lemon was
nearly bankrupted by the fire here in March
land Gipe knew it, and was, at the time,
erecting building 10 try to DO business
in. That Gipe had been trusted with ex-
press matter only to carry from the Aouse
to the cars. That Il sealed package, con-
tanning the amount stolen, was received at
the office for Lewis Broad ct Plymouth, by
DIR. L-placed in DR.. LIS private safe by
DIR. L. himself, and that no pthod leea4
taken Jy tie messenger Tor Il, and Gipe
knew it. That Gipe had key to the safe
and was authorized 10 attend TO Dr.. lis
business. That on the night Of the
theft, Tor he .Grst tine, he Was entrusted
with money package 70 take to the cars.
That DR.. L. carried the package TO the
horse. That at o'clock he called Gipe up
to GO and take a package Of some sfoG
from the house ~ tie cars That Gipehqd
no business n tie ctTce. That he went to
the office-took out this S5,8l2 package
from the safe, leaving some $500 of other
packages that hod Jeen rereipted for. some
$500 of DIR. LIS money, and taking the
one unreceiptcd package, left the safe and
Office open, went to the ears, delivered the
$500 package, put the other in his pocket,
threw his book to the Waterman, and got
on the cars and left. That there was 10
telegraph here. nor train that left before
\. NJ. trat day, giving him some nine
hours start on Lightning train. That for
days before, he kept Journal of reflections
in which he spoke of his opportunities to
steal, which was found in his trunk. That
he left four different letters for his brother
here in as many places, speaking of his
premeditation, and giving places both cast
and west where he would be found. That
when taken, he said he thought the theft
would be laid on the messenger, who had
no receipt, and that he knew it would beg
gar DR.. Lemon and his family. When
caught, he had the money in every pocket
about him; had broken the package paid
SO fare; and the money being in fvedolar
bills it was bulky to stow away. He gave
up all but So: that, he afterwards gave up,
after saying he had no more. All the evil
dence in defense was from those who had
seen him a few times for month or SO, and
knew nothtng Of him, and swore that they
knew nothing ogai;ust lis chorQcter--nor
did they know anything for ii, for he had
not been here long enough to form one, and
when his reputation followed him it was
one OF suspicion. aud his first trust here
showed him thief That was all the
character he had. This was all proved and
argded upon TO the court. Here was the
case then: Gipe was shrewd, capable and
dishonest, with able and reputable friends
here and elsewhere He premeditated {
theft. lie chose an opportunity TO steal
and intended an innocent man to be punish
ed and ruined for it, and knew that it would
beggar his employer. He stole, the frs
time he was trusted. He took that pack
age, because it was not reccipted for, and
<~Ae ehV0D ths't iSe't ~ UNtOStioH' IN
did it when and where lie knew he coull
have ninc hours start. and had no palialine
or excusable circumstance to speak for him
A frlcndless, homeless, houseless. wan
dering orphan boy, with no one to pfotec
him-with no learning--with no light t.
guide his erring steps, and driven by hi;
wretchedness to become the tool of the vile
at the same court was sentenced thirty day:
to Jail, fined $40. besides laying three
months for trial before, for stealing an ole
clock, worth little or nothing, from a schoo
house in the woods; without sense enouel
70 know he could not use it, had no plac,
to take it, or that he would be detected
with certainty. tiipe, with AL his ability
lad well nigh ruined Dr. Lemon-f oreve
damned an innocent messenger, seriousl,
embarrassed Mr.. Bread, (who was to pa,