Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-01-27
I ADREF0RMEn pESpERADO.
Ehel s fsssSs Of "a : CoaSisi's Life,

From tho New York Tribunc.l ..il.o
Edward Norton, the most. noted crlm-
inal In the State of New Jersey whose
name was for years the terror Of Trenton
and the surrounding country, has Just
been pardoned on the expiration OF halt
the term for which he was sentenced.
Norton had for a long time been the
principal object Of interest TO persons
visiting the State prison In 1865, when
twenty-four years old, he was found
guilty by fourteen juries, on as many in
dictments, without single recommends
alton to mercy; and the extent OF his
sentences, could they have been inflicted,
would have boon imprisonment for one
hundred and thirty years and INES
amounting to over $4,000. The Court,
al the time of his last trial, SEN
fenced him to one hundred and thirty
wears Imprisonment On hearing his
sentence, he arose and called down
sneh curses upon the Judge as
made every person in the crowded court
room shudder. This was in January,
1856. For five years this man was the
terror of his keepers, as he had been Of
the citizens. Scarcely had he been con-
fined when he succeeded in escaping
from his cell, and, seizing large knife,
forced an entrance into the front corri-
dor. where he barricaded himself, and
proposed to fight his way out. Sogreat-
fy did the authorities fear him that with
out any attempt torecapture him he was
deliberately shot down by deputy keep
er, who aimed a rife through the iron
bars dividing the corridors. He was then
placed in close confinement, a ball and
chain were attached to his legs and he
was closely guarded. Yet he twice es-
capped, and, returning to his old haunts,
spread fear through the city For five
years he was chained down and guarded.
Ten years ago he professed to have
come under the influence of religion.
His conduct soon won for him the conf
dence of his keepers, and all the liberties
of the prison were given him. His known
daring gave him authority with the other
prisoners. In 1868 a portion OF the prison
was burned, and in the confusion all the
doors we're thrown open, and the prison
ers thronged into the yards. An attack
was organized, the prisoners agreeing to
force an escape. At this juncture only
the presence and authority of Norton
prevented terrible massacre. The pris
oners were armed with implements from
the shops, and the 500 desperate men
could easily have murdered the handful Of
keepers opposed to them had it not been
for the superior daring and determine,
ton of Norton. This act probably secured
him his pardon, From that time his pc
sition has been almost that of a deputy
keeper. In October last the Court o.
Pardons granted him pardon upon thS
expiration Of half his sentence, which
took place on the 18th of this month.
During the last ten years all the money
he has been able to earn by working
over hours, amounting to several hundred
dollars, has been given to the support o.
an aged mother, whom his disgrace haS
nearly killed. The first thing NortoF
did after being freed was to walk NJ
State street to the house of Chief Justice
Green, who had passed the sentence upor
him, and upon whom he had called suct
terrible curses. He requested TO see ths
Judge, and on being admitted begged
his pardon and stated his intention O
living thoroughly reformed life. The
Judge greeted him cordially. 1t is Nor
toms intention to enter into business i
another State.