The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-05-26
A MARTELLOUS STORY.
An Innocent Convict Predicts that Grass
Will not Grow Over His Grave.

An Innocent Convict Predicts that Gras
Will not Grow Over His Grave.
In the year 1919 there was, in the neiehbor
hood OF Montgomery. an ancient mapor-house
called Oak6eld, which, like many OF those ole
| structures, losing it's original importance from
the increased slZe and convenience of modern
buildings, had been converted into farm
| house. The late occupant, one James Morris
had been an ind >lent and somewhat dissipated
map; the fern consequently fell into neglect
and became improbable, and he died in debt,
leaving bis wlfe and only daughter in posses
sion OF the place. Shortly after his death the
widow took into her employment a young man
from Stafordshire, OF the nsme Of John New
ton the hero Of this little story, who had been
strongly recommt nded to her by her brother;
and well and faithfully did he discharge hls du-
ties as bailiff, fully jusIitylDg the praise and
recommendations sho received With him. he
was an utter stranger in that part OF the coun-
try, seemed studiously to shun all acquaInt-
ance with his neighbors, and to devote hmself
exclusively to his employer. He never left
home but to visit the nelghboring fairs and
markets, and to attend the parish church,
where his presence WAS regular and bis con-
duct devout. In short, though highly circum-
spect 10 his behavior on all occasions, he was
melancholy, reserved man, and even the
ways most respectful in his demeanor, en-
tIrely failed in making acquaintance with
him. Yhe farm under his management lad
improved, and became profitable; and the
circumstances Of Mrs. Morris we're by his
Us ndulty and skill, both prosperous and -four
ishlpg. In this manner more than two years
had passed, and the widow began to re-
gard him more as friend and benefactor
thsu d servant, and was not sorry to OBJ
serve her daughters growing affection for him,
which appeared to be reciprocated. One eve
ming in November, 1921. being detained longer
than usual by business at Welshpool Newton
set out about ELK o'clooS to walk home to
Oakfeld. It was an exceedingly dark night,
and he never reached home again. His family
became very ANXIOUS, and upon ipquiring esrly
the following morning at Welshpool, they as
certained that he had been brought back to
that town not long after his departure from it,
BY two men named Parker and Pearce, who
charge him with highway robbery. accompa-
n ed by violence, M offence then punishable
with death. At the trisl OF the next assize lie
was pronounced guilty on the testimony OF
these two men, which vas clear, positive and
consistent throughout, was sentenced to be
hanged, and left for execution. He employed
no counsel, and called no Witnesses in his de-
fence; but upon being asked by the judge.
in the usual form, If he had anything 10
say Why sentence Of death should not be
passed upon him." be made, in substance,
the following extraordinary speech: MY
lord, it is evident all 1 could say in oppo;;
sition to such testimony would be in vain and
hopeless. The witnesses are men OF respecsa-
bihty, and their evidence has appeared plain
and conclusive, and my most solemn protesta-
tions of innocence would avail me nothing.
have called DO witnesses to character, and upon
such evidence the jury could pronounce no other
verdict. I bame them not. From my soul
forgive those men upon whose tahe testimony
have been convicted. But, my lord, protest
most solemnly before this court, before your
lordship, and above all, before that God in
whose presence [ must shortly appear, am
entirely guiltless OF the crime tor which am
about to suffer. / have produced no one TO
speak in my behalf Two years have scarcely
passed since I came to this country an utter
stranger. I have made no acquaintance here
beyond the household in whicn l have been
discharge my duties faithfully, honestly and
well. Although I dare not hope, and do not
Njsb,. that MY LIE should be spaIsd. yeti itls.my
crime may not rest upon my name. devout.
ly hope that my good mistress and her kind
and excellent daughter may yet be Convinced
that they have not nourished and betriended
highway robber. I have, therefore, in humble
devotion, offered prayer to Heaven, and be-
lieye it has been heard and accep:ed. Venture
which suffer, the grass, for one generation. at
least, will not cover my grave. My lord, await
your sentence without murmur. without sor-
row; and devoutly pray that all who hear me
now may repent of their sins, and meet me
again in Heaven" The unfortunate man was
condemned and executed. and was buriel in
Montgomery church-yard. Thirty years had
passed away when 1 saw it, in company with
poor Eliot Warburtou, and the grass had not
linen covered his grave. It is situated in a re-
mote corner of the church-yard, far removed
from all other graves. 1t is nota raised mound
of earth, but is even with the surrounding
ground, which is for some distance, especially
luxuriant, the herbage beng rich and abundant.
Numerous attempts have from time to time
been made by some who are still alive, and
others who have passed away. TO orlng grass
upon that bare spot. Freab soil has been ire
quently spread upon it, and seAds OF various
kinds have been sown, but not blade has there
ever been known to spring from them and the
soil soon became smooth, cold AND stubborn
clay. With respect to the unhappy Witnesses,
il appears that Parker's ancestors had once
owned Oak6eld, and that he had hoped by
getting rid OF Newton, to remove the main OBJ
siacle there was to his repossesslng it, and
that Pearce had, at the time OF MIR. Morris
death, aspired to the hand OF his daughter, in
whose affections he felt he had been supplanted
by poor Newton. The former soon left the
neiehborhood, became drunken and dissolute
man, and was ultimately killed in some lime
works, while in the acs OF blasting rock.
Pearce grew sullen and dispirited, his very ex-
isience seemed burden TO him, and, as the
old sexton of Montgomery expressed it, "he
wasted away from thc face OF the earth.
Season TscSet." IN as Dublin University Maga-
zine.