The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-01-24
Lives of great men all remind us.
We can make our lives snhiima y
A Converted Criminal.

Edward Norton, the most noted criminal
in the State of New Jersey, and whose name
was Tor years the terror of Trenton and the
surrounding country, has Just been pardoned
on the expiration of half the term for which
ne was sentenced. Notion has been the
principal object of interest to persons visiting
the State Prison. At twenty, he was the
most noted and hardened criminal in the
State OF New Jersey. At twenty-iour he was
found guilty by fourteen juries on as many
indictments. without single recommenda-
tion to mercy, and the extent of bis sentence,
had it been given, would have been imprison-
ment for 13O years, aud fines amounting to
over $4,000. Such was the character of this
man in 1855. In October last the Court of
Pardons gave him a full pardon, under the
impression that he was an entirely reformed
man, and that the ends of justice would not
be met by keeping him longer in confinement.
The Court, at the time of his trial, dealt
leniently with him, and, though he was onlv
sentenced to thirty years Imprisonment and a
fine of 81, on hearing his sentence he arose to
his feet and brought down such imprecatiops
upon his Judge as made every person In the
January, of 1856. For five years this man
was the terror OF keepers, as he had been of
the citizens. Nothing was too daring for him
to attempt, nothing to difficult for him 10 ac-
complish. Scarcely had he been confined
when he succeeded in escaping ffom his cell.
and, seizing large knife, forced an entrance
into the front corridor, where he barricaded
himself and prepared to fight his way out.
SO great was the fear of him felt by the au-
thorities that, without any attempt to recap
ture him, he was deliberately shot down by
deputy keeper, who aimed rife through the
iron bars dividing the corridors. He was then
placed in close confinement, ball and chain
were attached to his legs and he was closely
guarded, Yet he twice escaped, and return
ing to his old haunts, spread fear through the
city. For five years he was chained down and
guarded.
Ten years ago this mar, whose sentences
had been Tor burglary, arson and highway rob-
berry, pretended to come under the influences
OF religion, and whether his motives in
changing were good or not, the change has
been genuine one. His conduct won for
him the confidence Of his keepers, and all the
liberties OF the prison wore given him. His
career and known daring gave him authority
with the other prisoners. In 1868 portion
OF the prison was burned, and in the confu-
sion the doors were thrown open and the pris.
oners thronged into the yards. An attack was
organized, the prisoners agreeing 10 force an
escape let the consequences be what they
might At this iuncure only the presence
and authority of this man Norton saved a ter
rib,e massacre. The prisoners were armed
with implements from the shops, and 500 dar-
ing determined men could easily have mur-
dered the handful of men opposed to them
had it not been for the superior daring and
determination of this one man. This proba-
bly, seemed him his pardon. From that
time his position has been almost that
OF deputy keeper. In October last the
Court vi pardons granted him pardon upon
expiration OF half his sentence, which took
place on the 10th 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 of an aged mother whom his disgrace
had nearly killed. The first thing Norton
did after being freed, was to walk up State
street to the House of Chief Justice Green
who had passed sentence upon him and upon
whom he had called down such terrible curses.
He requested to see the Judge, and on being
admitted, begged his pardon. and stated his
intention OF living thoroughly reformed life
The Judge cordially greeted him.
There is little doubt but that Norton, who
is not yet forty years of age, is reformed. The
influence of the prison authorities was used to
secure his freedom, and scarcely citizen of
Trenton that is not glad of his release. 1t is
his intention to enter business in another
State