The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-02-22
FROM MARSHALL COUNTY
MARSHALL COUNTY, w. Va,
February l9, 1869.

| February ~, lc09.
Editors OF the Register IN.
The idea seems to be general herr
with our citizens, that the present Su
perintendent of the Penitentiary will
be required to give up his Office, ant
that it is TO be filled by a man who wa:
at one time a preacher of the gospeI
and of politics amongst the people Of
this county and State. One Of the prin.
cipal charges against the present in
cumbent is, as l have been informed
that he is an unnerciful man, and at
times Furnishes the convicts in 5arbar-
ous and cruel manner. This may be
true or it may be false, as far as know,
and do not write this to justify Mr..
McFadden in anything that he has done
there. If his whipping the prisoners
is an offence that cannot be passed
by uncensured by the Legislature
and the people, surely lack of that
God like attribute, mercy, should dis
qualify any other individual for the
same office. Now what of this Rever-
end gentleman that is asking to be in
stalled in the place now occupied by
Mr.. McFadden is he a man of mercy
of gentleness and kindness of heart
is there an individual in this county
that will take it upon himself TO say
that the convicts will be humanely
treated by this Reverend aspirant if be
should be selected as Superintendent OF
that concernY Some of our citizens
here happen to know something about
his amiable disposition; they heard him
make a speech in the streets of our town
some six years ago, and, Mr.. Editor, !
would like to describe that speech if |
coald get words together that would
properly set it forth in all its hellish
dimensions. The sentences as they
fell from his lips seemed to have
been dictated by spirits damned;
he appeared a very demon in person,
and his whole advice and counsel to his
hearers was revenge, destroy and spare
not, and urged that all copperheads and
rebel>-those that he should designate
as such-should be at once driver from
their homes and country. His whole
nature at that time seemed to be crav-
ing for blood, and his own party friends
that heard him on that occasion turned
away from him in disgust and would
not hear him longer. His advice and
counsel, however, were listened to and
put into practice by some men no bet
ter than himself. Many of our best cit
izens were driven away, Others taken
to Camp Chase, and no few of them
hunted down like wild beasts, and
when found, stoned and beaten even
unto death, by drunken mobs, set on by
this demon in the garb of religion;
and would that could stop here, but
Justice requires that | should go on.
There are widows and mothers yet in
mourning in this county for sons and
husbands who perished in that gloomy
prison, Camp Chasr; aud we have men
here whose health and strength can
never be restored to them because of
disease contracted in that bastile. These
citizens were peacesble, high-minded,
honorable gentlemen; Trey were forced
from their homes and frleHds without
lust cause or provocation, and immured
in prison, at the instance of this rev.
erend hypocrite, and have no doubt
but what his heart was glad and that he
was full of rejoicing when the sorrow
full news came home to young Standi-
ford's mother that her son was dead;
that she would never look upon his
manly form again. These are some of
the fruits produced by this mans
advice and counselling, and if he
is selected by the Legislature
to take the place of Mr.. McFadden, my
word for it, the members of that body,
their constituents and the convicts in
the State prison all will have cause to
rue the day that such an i'll advised Sc
lection was made.
In conclusion, appeal to the mem.
bers of the Legislature, and beg of them
that if change is made in the Office OF
Superintendent Of the Penitentiary, in
Heavens name, don't place in that in.
stitution this reverend hypocrite.
MARSHALL.