The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-02-08

$1,000
wal from the Jail to the Court House in
which place Court was then in session,
under charge of the Sheriff, we concluded
we would drop in and see what was go
ing on. After arriving in the roo we
were informed that the Judge was about
to pass sentence on those who had been
found guilty during this session O. Court.
They were rather rough1ooking crowd,
and on only one or two faces anything
like anxiety at the coming ordeal. The
first that was called up was Mary Green,
a colored damsel of an uncertain age,
who briskly stood up with q smile on her
face to receive the sentence, which was
one year in the State Penitentiary, crime
larceny. She smiled during the reading
of the sentence, listened in a pleased
manner to the wordsof advice delivered
by the Judge, and with apolite bow and
"Thank you, Sir,n took her seat. Next
called was Ralph Edwards, found guilty
of larceny. He took everything coolly,
even to his sentence of two years in the
Penitentiary. The Judge gave himthe
full time allowed by law, he being an old
offender, having butlately arrived from
the Penitentiary. Next was Henry Clark,
found guilty Of murder, without capital
punishment. He was sentenced for the
term of his natural life,s Henry turned
his ehaw of tobacco In hismouth, looked
like he didn't care a cent, and sat down.
Noah Harris and Rufus Sanders were
called nextandreceived, without asingle
emotion, their sentence OF two years in
the P~enitentiary for the crime of larceny.
Holly Fitzpatrick, q mUlatto Of aboutfor-
ty-fve, Xxi arose and faced the Judge.
He was found guilty Of feloniously and
b~urglarously entering ahouse Withintent
tosteal. We felt a little sorry for Holly
for he looked very sorry for his crime
and seemed to suffer considerably from
remorse or shame. He had been recon-
mended to the mercy Of the Courtby the
Jury when they returned their verdict.
and the Judge acting accordingly, only
gave him two years in the P~enitentiary.
Sunday Alexander, having also been r
commended to the extrememercy of the
Court by the jury, he having committed
the crime q flarceny, was to lisinexpres.
sible pleasure and satisfaction sentenced
to only three months in the Parish jail
Sandy wiped tho tears Of delight from
hisayes, beamed alook of gratitude upon
the Judge and sat down, feeling very
light-hearted, we expect. James Wilson
found guilty Of lareeney, thinking that
it might perhaps be therule of the Court
to call out the lighter sentences last, ross
with alac1fty md stood up with his face
wreathed in smiles. 8 james Wilson,
spoke the Judge, there IRE no mitiga,
ting circumstances in your case; yor
don't deserve the mercy of this Court
therefore we give You all the law vii
allow us in doing, viz two years at hari
1aborinth the State Penitentiary.n 'Fhanl
You, SIR replied The immortal James
and with h tsaEne smile frozen uponhis
face be took his seat. William Lee
found guilty of shooting with intent Il
commit murder, received hissentence O
one year with a few remarks from th,
Judge, who informed him that his fel
low-man was made for different pur
pose than that Of being used as a target
and admonished him to lead d bette
life. Last upon the Docket, and leastil
size and age, appeared Oscar Hayes,
boy of about fourteen. He was GRIMM.
from ear to ear, and when the Judge IN
formed him, as u wish thatmercy shoni
be shown him had been requested by tn
jury, and OH account of his youth, h
would onlysentenee him to three month
in the Parish jail.
We congratulate our Honorable Dis
hict Judge on the impartial and jus
sentences which he delivered, and NJ
feel certain such i~mpartiaiity will NEE
with the hearty appreciation Of all law
abiding citizens. Our District Attorne
was, as usual, at his post during the tria
of the Criminal Docket, and you may be
your last dollarhedoe nothandle d ma
who has committed crime, with gloYei
Anybody who don't believe it, let theI
watch the fleof prisoners who leave s.
Landry this week to try the climate {
Baton Rouge, and the hospitality of Tol
Bynum's Boarding House."