Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-08-12
Piper, Ncary, Butterfly. and the
PluMlcys.

We find in the Fairhaven Journal, q
letter from Windsor, dated July Goth,
evidently from the pen of one of our
county officials, descriptive of the APP
pearance and condition, and an interview
with Z. l.. Piper, Peter Neary, William
Butterfly, Thoma as Dushan, Horace, Ziba
and Frederick Plumley, which will be of
interest to our readers. The letter is as
follows:
Edward L. Piper, alias O. B. Clark, the
celebrated forger, is at work in the finish
ing room, and is highly esteemed by the
officers of the prison. He works steadily,
and in all things complies readily with the
regulations of the institution. His long
beard is gone, and the graceful curls that
adorned his head while in Jail have been
clipped short, and the fine clothes in
which we had been accustomed to see him
attired, have been superseded by the par
ti-colored prison dress, and except that he
had been pointed out to US by the keeper
we should hardly have recognized him
We had few minutes conversation with
him, and he seemed to enjoy the privi-
lege thus extended to him, very much,
and inquired eagerly as to what was oc-
curing in the world outside.
Peter Neary and William Butterfly.
two of the incendiaries convicted at the
last term of our court, are at work shay
ing scythe-snaths, and as we entered the
shop where they were, they recognized
me at once. and hardly think the look
they gave could be regarded as indicative
of much affection for your humble ser
want; but perhaps ten years of prison
discipline may chasten their hearts and
learn them a few lessons Of life, so
that, when they return again - the out
side world their anger may be entirely
subdued. At any rate, | feel sure that
for the next ten years they will not be
likely to apply the incendiary torch in
Rutland, or elsewhere. Thomas Dushan,
another of the incendiaries, is at work in
the machine shop, and as soon as he saw
me he approached us, evidently desiring
to speak to me, but l felt no inclination
to talk with him.
After making the round of the work
shops returned to the main hail. and
in few moments Horace Plumley was
taken out of his cell and brought to us
He has been in solitary confinement ever
since he w-s brouths here being let out
Of his cell, a. he informed me, only once a
week to be shaved. He approached
us. with feeble step, and one would
hardly recognize, in the pale, thin faced
convict, the stout and hardy man who
only three months ago was on trial III
Rutland He bears the unmista keable
evidence of intense mental suffering. and
as he raised his large gray eyes, sutfused
with tears to mine, to greet me, ! could
not repress the tears that iuvoluntaril,
arose, and feeling of pity for this poor,
man found a ready place |
in my heart. He is confined in "a |
cell AT the east end Of the hall, /
aud within few feet Of the place |
wherr Miller hung only few
days since. He heard every blow
Of the carpenters hammer in the erection
Of the gallows and who can describe the
feelings he must have experienced at that
time. 1t made deep impression upon
his mind, and since then he has been
much more respondent than before. He
says he prays that he may die, and for
tunate enough will it be for him if that
grim messenger shall come to him in his
lonely cell before the execution shall be
to carry out the terrible sentence
imposed upon him by law Daring his
with us he became quite
cheerful, but when our business with him
vas ended and he was reminded that he
must return To his cell, he broke down
.gain completely, and with an unsteady
tep wendell his way back to his old quar-
ers, all the while sobbing like child.
Ziba Plumley, father of Horace, was
lext brought in. He was sentenced for
life, aud is kept at work with the other
;onvicts, and his appearance was in strik-
ng contrast with that of Horace. lie
Knew we were in the prison, and knew
o appear before US, he entered with
quick step, and at once entered into
lively, iovial conversation with us, md
me would hardly have dreamed that that
lively old man was convict, sentenced
o be shut up in tho narrow walls of that
lingy prison for the balance of his life
Frederick Plumley was next called in,
md he appeared much more cheerful and
happy than when on trial, and bids fair
@ live until the twenty years for which
lie was sentenced expired. If he does,
rust the lesson of this terrible experience
will prove valuable to him, and will so
,hasten his heart, that he will never
gain attempt to avenge u simple trespass
~ taking the life of fellow being.
Our bu siness over, we babe adeu to the
prison and returned to our quarters at
he hotel