Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-02-28
a Reformed Desperate.
!SiEtee" Fears IA the Ne,S Jersey State Prison
"A Biaek Record rriM Fe,o White
Spots IN it-FGraop Of a Noted Grim mai 2.

Spots IN it-Fdrdop Of a Noted Criminal.
IFrOm the New York Sun, Jan.sI
The court of pardors OF New JERSEY. in
Trenton, on Thursday, released Edward Nor
ton from state prison, Norton had been one
OF the most notorious criminals in New jersey.
and the terror at one time Of all the northern
sections of the commonwealth. Sixteen wears
ego he was sentenced by Chief Justice Green
TO 5u years imprisonment in the State prison,
for crime Of more than usual enoruity. and
his pardon by the court cuts of II wear. of
his term. The story Of that crime is thrilling.
Norton had IN the early part of 1854 been ar
rested on charge Of burglary but before his
case came'beiore the grand iury two additional
charges OF the same nature had been preferred
against him. The grand Jury indicted him
tor each ottense; but while he lay IN Jail await,
ing trial he escaped Eo- four months he
cOuceaied himself in the garnet of ms faith
ers house, and from his headuuaItcrs he
carried on his lawless incursions up5n life and
property in the neighborhood One night he
broke into farm house near BUrdoutowu.
occupied by Mr.. La Fouchierie The prem
ises were thoroughly ramsacked aud robbed
OF every portable article Of value which il
contained lie bad secured about $500 worth
OF booty. After removing the proceeds of
his crime to a convenient place of conceal
mcnt, he returned to the farmers house. and
fastening the main door on the outside with
an iron bar, applied 4 torch to the building.
La Fcucherie and his wife aud two children
were IN the house, md must have perished in
the flames At the smoke from the burning floor
beneath had not aroused them. They escaped
by jumping iiom the secOnd-story window.
Suspicion pointed to the escaped prisoner.
and the detectives who were despatched 10
work up the case secured conclusive evidence
of his guilt. The criminal was searched for
but long time elapsed before he was taken
His trial before Judge Caf.erward chancelor)
Green created intense excitement throrrho,,t
the State. He was convicted and sentenced
to thirty years Imprisonment in the State
prison.
At the time of his arrest there were found
upon him number of keys belonging TO a
Mr.. William Robertson, a brush manufacturer
OF Trenton, who had a short time before been
Knocked down with a slung shot, nearly killed.
aud robbed. This discovery fastened that
robbery upon Norton For the fret f,ur
years OF his incarceration in the State prison
NOrtous character underwent no chsnge-
lie was regarded one of the most vi!lainous
desperadoes Iu the prison. lie was so violent
and outrageous at times that it frequently be
came necessary to lock iim up in a dungeon
One time when he feared that his conduct
would bring this punishment on him, lie pro-
cured Euile from one Of the tool shops. and
when the keeper undertook to thrust him in
to the cell, he tried 10 stab him with it. 4
violent struggle took place In the corridor
during which Norton vrcstei himself from
the grs-P O! the keeper Threats to shoot
him II he did not yield were uuRvailiug. and
It was not un''! ball had been lodged IN his
arm that he was brought to terms.
Finding that he was too closely guarded TO
effect an escape, Norton changed his tactics.
aud began such course Of conduct as might
lead to his release under pardon lie an
nounccd his intention to reform. ard soon
made himself IS conspicuous for his good be,
havIOr ~ he had been previously for Iis law
less conduct. In the workshop he r.s the
most trac'Abe and obedieut Of the c1nvicts
In the chapel he was the most ferYent and
attentive among them. That his reform
m'ght,seerI sincere, he soon afterward. in the
presence OF his fellow couvicts. made an omen
profession o! religion. Since that ;ims his
cnnduc; has been uuexceptionable At the
IRE IN The prison two years ago he vigorously
and efficiently assisted the officials TO eztiu-
gujsh it,
Norton's petition for PARDON has been Tor
the last t"o years before the court Of ugrdons
and has each time been signed by men COM
mandiug influence 4; this term the court
I'seit approved the petition, and the order for
his discharge was 90 Thur,day delivered TO
the prison otFici4lr
The career "f the man has been full Of in.
cldent. and his exploits would iilI volume.
cne OF the INST adroit Of his Jobs was the
robbery Of Mss MIlIssn's uiiIiiqey store in
Trenton. He bore away from this establish
ment the entire stock. not even so much as
spool OF thread or = paper Of needles being
left
When sentenced By Judge Green. Norton
was boy. being not more than twenty wear.
Of age. He comes from the prison walls in
the full vigor Of manhood
& CHANGE OF REtrG1rs VIRUS p,- y