The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-02-28
RETIREMENT, Feb, 1873.

| Gordon and ancy, Informed the JaIlor OF the
| plan. The following letter addressed to thu
HERALD, by Mr.. Gordon, was intended 10 bt
| left in the cell
| Dear Herald:
| A plain man dixie Mr.. Latta,) who knows
| nothing of the curious tranSmutatlons which
| the wit of man can work, would be Very
| apt to wonder by what kind of ledgerdemain
1 managed to gain my liberty and as there
| may arise conflicting reports to the detri-
ment OF our efficient Tailor, take this meth
| Cd of satisfying rumor-loVing people by
stating that che means employed in es-
| Gaping were beyond the preventing power
of any prison keeper-who admits the nat
| ural elements OF ''air and water to theiI
| dungeons.
Now, don't open your mouth in breath
less anXiety--thinlling that now l am free
| ought to give the "moduS operandi' from
the beigi inning, nay, can't invade one Sc
crat in the keeping OF anothcr-and though
have passed through quite a "freeEing"
ordeal of late-I refer TO the prosecutors
IN my case, to the fact that will not abuse
confidence in war that was reposed in me in
peace; now when have succeeded in erals
ing all doubt concerning the generous Bill
Latta, have accomplished my purpose, as
a prologue to few thoughts in behalf OF
The writer.
l would not write but for the the above
cause, and from the fact that Il wish to offer
a few reflections for the consideration OF
those who have hitherto blessed me with
their friendship and made me the recipient
of their confidence and fayOrs. My purpose
Is not to mOraliZe particularly, but 10 state
facts; and in doing SO ! hope TO write with
out malice or resentment, censure or re-
preach, towards those who have malicious
~ StriVen to secure my conviction.
For nearly three years have been the'un
willing instrument in the hands of Il few
VINO have sought to mortify the family to
which | am allied; this may seem strange TO
to those who don't know the parties connect
cd with the drama, but II IS nevertheless
true; one of the party told me during my in
generation that his father had nothing
criminal against me, but only pursued the
grfAr-1'F
l am therefore ushed into my unenviable
position in spite Of my bushes to satisfy an
old family fued, under the base charge Of
hOrSe-stealing! e gods; is this the nine
teenth century?
But you may say that this is n case sepa-
rate and distinct from any other-that the
prosecutor is a gentleman l am not ac-
quainted with, &c. His name heads the list
is true, but TO those who know the relation
ship that exists between the parties, the net
work is transparent as glass. Mr.. j. n.
Irvine assumed the first rank from circun-
stances, but the same old malnSpr1ngS are
prOpelling the machinery. The sheepSllin
is not quite long enough to hide the reality
Again it may be asked, why escaped? and
why | have not met the charge before the
law long ago? gladly answer, that have
always insisted on trtal-eVen before my
arrest,-but was invariably advised by my
friends never to involve myself again in
law with my old fOeS-that they would
swear my life away or carry their point"
these hints too, coming from the very pill
lars ofsociety," and receiving no encourage
ment in the way of bond-and knowing
las it has been prOven) that could do moth
ing without money, locked also i'll II felpnS
cells my excuse for abSanting myself.
But attractions dear as life itself drew me
prematurcly. into their power; and for the
past seventh months have been a captive
in prison. But ''GOd works in q mysterious
way his wonders to perform" and knowing
my innocence, he drew me forth again to
liberty. Now, do YOU ask IL can yet exon
crate MYSELF answer emphatically without
any mental reservation, that We're permit
ted TO compete with my enemies fairly before
the law, without intimidation, or the con-
tinual fears OF an ambuScade before my eyes,
in short, without being compelled TO hang
on the outskirts OF SOciety-On bOnd-and on
the soil OF Maury, where / could write and
gather ND my scattered eVidence-I would
show my Innocence to the complete salts
faction OF the world, by the OathS of citi-
ZenS whose moral character are above re-
proach.
is not the charge of h0rsestealing that
binds me so much as the cOnSumate lies that
were propagated, in the brain OF my foes,
during my absence, which paralyZed my
friends and lett me at the mercy of the rab-
bic who since my imprisonment have con-
cocted cut and dried q train of clrcumstan-
tial evidence, that would put to blush Lord,
Chief-JuStcc, Matthew Hale
Since the beginning of this so-far, blood
less tragedy, have had the advantage be-
fore the law, which the records will show
and which my prosecutors won't deny, but
'.baSe-spiritCd good nature, my old prOpen-
SitN to COnciliate, got the better of my judG-
mtuJ, and failed to appear, rs prosecutor,
and their several cases were Immediately
moi DIOsUutu. PROMISES were IIIdu6 IIlal
would not be mOlested again, but it seems
to have been only a coy thrown out to de-
ceive for the flames of hate have been kept
aglOW by the fan Of ShOrt-Wlnued Hcar-SaNS
ever since. | have reasoned, have threat
ened, l have begged with tears to be let
alone, but they have needed not my numer-
Gus entreaties, but have continued thus to
Cypress me to the present hour. could be
very appropriately compared tie the hare
who was charged BY the NC, wolf r. OF drinking
My nature = plain, L wear no guard
around my heart but have ever sGriycn with
tongue and pen" to benefit suffering hui
but since this difficulty began they
have pursued the slips of my pen with I'M
diligence, too ignorant ana Olgot-
ed 10 distinguish truth, and too malicious
to relish ii, they search not for my merits
but my defects; they judge with Partially
and prejudice, pursuing my errors with
avidity, and strain that which is innocent
into an offensive meaning my social words
have been misGpplied, COMPOUNDED and per
vertcd from their intended meaning, and
positions they have worked 1t all in, to
strengthen their prosecution IN the horse
case" Must a man, MeSSrs. Editors, be con-
victed by such false conceptions and design
ed misrepresentation? want q trial ana
intend to have it if can yet find Il bonds
man, but the evidence of malicious men
must be received with caution. If you
should happen to ind a trustworthy citizen
who is willing to stretch forth helping
hand to a sinking Peter, tell him / promise
on my part never to disgrace his taVOr-tell
him that those who have known me since
ARRIVAL III IlllSs the Itil(l Vi
can bear witness that have ever been a
friend to aspiring merit, and always ready
to assist in works of philanthropy in any
shape ii presented itself. Before the begin
ming of this unfortunate embrOgliO, could
refer with pride to my past record as a sol
der or as II citizen; born OF Respectable pa
rents launched forth on a friendly world,
with all the requisites to agg youth on 10
eminencc; but alas ! human nature cropped
out in the shape OF q little illicit love al
fair which has assumed the proportions OF
Indeed, Dear HERALD, in al
most every notice public or private, since
the summer of 1870 | have been wildly re-
minded of "ByrOn's celebrated Crows" and |
[ dare say that should your worthy tripod !
WELD the quill and scissors" till they are
seized with tottering age, 1t Will never pc
your duty to witness q case more shocking 10
sense, more revolving TO reason or
more fraught with malice, than this, the one
now claiming your attention.. but II am
doomed to drag out a miserable existence as
a mere misanthrope, if no one Will come to
my aid, and
s'If must afflicted be to suit some wise
design,
MAY / be manned with firm resolves to bear
and not repine.'
And though I may pass away, and be ad- |
judged guilty by the world, | look with de-
light down the meandering course of time, |
when we will all lie arlaigned before gen |
eral tribunal, then will show to tho world |
the part ! nave borne in this transaction,
and though | never could eX3lt over the |
misfortune of others, / will certainly take
some delight i'll comparing records with !
some OF my dCSuNtGN.
| glory in the noble thought, that, "Truth |
crushed to earth will rise again, the eternal
wears of God are hers " And standing now |
in suspense, with one of the most heinOus
charges of our penal code against me, not
being permitted to TRANQUILITY and pcaGihly |
enjoy happy home, rendered dOubly so by |
the presence of an affectiOnate wife and the |
prattling OF a little babe though these |
thoughts unman me l feel from the depths |
Of n wounded heart here in exile and adVer- |
Sity, that l am towering high above the gro |
Yelling desires of those who have produced II; |
and freely exclaim, Father forgive them |
for they know not what they do" Rest as
Sured, dear HERALD, that if praye and good !
works will avail anything, you viii again |
hear that am again rising II this SIM |
stricken and uncertain world, a wiser and !
doubtless better man, for am still filled |
with self-respcct and hope the "happy COM |
pauion CT blooming YOUTH" viii bear |
me on TO II complete realization OF my cher
iShed wishes.
l hope however that it will be my fortune |
good or bad, can't say to appear before the |
courts of Maury, then if / am acquitted II |
is well, and ii l am convicted by the COM
bincd- catechised evidence of my foes, it
will be consoling to know that sank with |
"A good conscience in the house of my enc
mics. l win correspond with Il friend, and !
closely watch the columns Of the Coiunl bia |
papers, and should l receive the glorious !
news that may come in peace, to be "call- |
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