The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-03-04
Eammunlrahants,
FOR the Potter Journal.
ABBOT. Feb. %. 1858.

=. 8. GEAsE:-Dear Sir:--In years
gone By, it has been said that Potter
Eoupty was the receptacle of all the horse
Shieyes, counterfeiters, and ''misccllane-
Jus rascals" Of the country. This may
have been in past time, but we had hoped
that the influence of the press, and the
uutiring energy of few laborers in the
lrause ef right, had changed somewhat the
character OF our county. And to the end
that this better reputation be not injured,
permit me to ask a question or two in re-
iation to an event which transpired at cur
eJunty court at its last session.
Let me premise by making few state
meats of facts The grand jury found a
true bill against James r. c. Coe, for the
larceny Of yoke of cattle, the property Of
II. L. Bird, Of Sweden Township. Mr..
Bird, through desire to bring the Of
tenders to justice, had made three trips to
WiIliamsport, and been to great trouble
and expense; four witnesses (from Viii
Transport and thereabouts) had left their
homes and their occupations, at great
sacrifice of time and money, and come
hers to AID !p the same purpose. The
case was closely traversed, as all VINO
heard 1t can testify, and jury of twelve
impartial men returned verdict of guilty
against the said Coe. So far all was right,
but the rest of the transaction, | venture
to say, is without parallel in the crinli-
nal annals of this or any other country
Upon the rendition of the verdict, Coe de-
liberately left the court room, spent few
moments in arranging his business, and
rs deliberately left the town, in the face
of court, sheriff, and jury-walking about
\ half nlile from Coudersport, where find
Jig horse saddled and bridled, he
mounted and took French leave.
Now, Mr. Editor, there is evidently
blame somewhere. 1t does net rest with
,ke people Of the county, for | have heard
put one VOICE in the matter, and that has
been the voice Of Indignation. | am not
yersed in the intricacies of the law, and
the question | wished to PROFOUND was
this. Who is to blame?
That it is burning shame to the ad-
ministration of justice in this county, no
one can doubt; and, the people of the
county have a right to know by whom it
was brought about. If the paltry con-
sideration of three hundred dollars bail,
which the county may get, be brought up
to extenuate the matter, it makes the
shame deeper still. If in Potter County
man can buy out of States Prison, when
the sentence is richly deserved, l appre-
bend that we shall have a greater food of
horse and cattle thieves than ever,
But | ask again, Who is to blame :?
And | hope you may be able to answer,
not only me, but the people of the coun-
ty. The person who lost the cattle did
his duty nobly. The witnesses from Ly-
soming county, who made such a sacri-
fee did their duty like men. The prose
eating atturGey and his associates did
their duty in the trial with great ability,
and the jury, in their verdict, did their
duty like those who desire to rid our
county of such pests, Further than this
cannot go, but ask for light,
In conclusion, it is a poor remuneration
10 the prosecutor, and the witnesses who
identified the thief, for all their expense
and trouble, to know that he is now run
ming at large, and can, and undoubtedly
will, take means to vent hia malice on
them, for discharging their duty in aiding
to convict him. True, we were told, that,
tas boy, he possessed high sense Of
honor;" but take it that few of US will
believe that much of honor or honesty re-
mains in the breast of one who will steal
aud drive away the last yoke of cattle
fFom poor Relghhar, Aud it is poor
satisfaction to the people of the county to
know that the felon is at large, and pro-
badly among US, and that he has accom-
tl:ces, too; and more; that the fingers of
Justice are SO weak, or the love of money
so strong, that if a criminal is proven
guilty, instead of receiving the sentence
of the law, he can coolly walk away, with
put SO much as saying, "by your leave,
airs." Yours, inquiringy,
A. Ii. c.