The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-08-04

How A ONCE WEALTHY FARMER BECAME
AN INNATE OF TIE oR-HoUsE.-. [Chicago
Tribune. ]---Some sixty years ago there was
born in one of the midland counties of Eng
land one William Hops, who, when about
twenty years of age, came to this country
and settled in Vermont. He possessed a
powerful frame and an indomitable will,
and ama>sed considerable sum OF money
while cutiyating a small farm in compara-
lively sterile country. Hints were thrown
out that he obtained his money not so much
from agriculture as from smuggling goods
over the border from Canada. After a time
he concluded to come West, and bought Il
farm near Wheeling, In Cook county, where
he settled with his wife and family more
than Thirty years ago. Everything he
touched seemed TO proSpcr--hiS farm OF 300
acres was one of the best in Cook county ;
he built upon it splendid mansion, en-
tircly of pressed brick. and for years every
thing was lovely. With the increase of his
wealth his family also increased, until, in
1868, he had thirteen children, all living.
Hops had, however, become al inyete-
rate topper, and. in consequence, family trou-
bles frequently arose. In the month Of June
of that year the whole community was star
tied with the news that William Hops had
murdered bis wife. The news proved true.
While under the Influence of liquor he dis
embowclled her. An inquest was held, and
he was found guilty and committed to take
bis trial. He had no sooner been safely
locked in the Jail of Cook county than he in
quired for the lawyers who had defended
JumpertZ, and soon after Colonel John Van
Arman and Mr. Il. w. McComas became his
counsel. BY the time the trial was reached
4, had 1nft trit
mcnt for the seat of war, and his place was
iled by Mr.. Writ Dexter who put in ii plea
of emotional insanity. The case was tried
before the Hon. George Manierre, then cir
cult Judge, and the prosecution was con.
Quoted by the Hon. Joseph kpoX, States at.
torney, assisted by the Hon. w. X. McAlis
ter. After twelve days trial, the jury, on
| the 3lst of December, 1863, brought in q
verdict of guilty, and William Hopps was
sentenced to death.
On the application OF his attorneys, Su-
pcrsedeas was obtained from the Supreme
| Court, and. on appeal. that court reversed
and remanued the case, and ordered new
trial. 1t was-not until 1866, however. that
the new trial took place, his counsel evil
deutly considering that the fact Of his hay
ing been long time in Jail would have |!
good effect with jury. At last the trla
came of, and he was acquitted, and again
walked the earth free man. he went BACK
to his old neighborhood and commenced
work, but no one would speak to him. NO
one would have anything TO do with him.
Even his own children refused to see nm,
and he felt that he was truly and utterly
alone in the world. His farm had been
lnortgaged to pay the expenses OF bis de.
fence and was at length sold for S13,0o0. vi
this sum $4,000 went to bis counsel FOR
their own and the court fees, and S2,o0o was
left to him. This quickly disappeared in
the maclstrom of whiskey, and then, as IL
good fortune and kind Providence were
always helping him with opportunities TO 90
welt, 4 legacy Of 1900 came TO him from
England.
At last this all disappeared, and William
Hops, upon whom bright hopes had SO
often awncd-Wil iliam Hops, the whiskcy-
drinker and wife-murderer-ha not u place
to Iay his head ; not friend in all the world ;
not child who did not revolt from contact
or conversation with him. Alone, and an
outcast. his misery and desttution at last
caused him to ask for admttance into the
Cook county paor-house, at Jefferson, and
few DAYS ago he became an inmate IN what
will probably be his last home on earth, and
when he dies, instead of leaving magnifi
cent Inheritance to his children, and having
q splendid monument erected to his memory
he will descend to the grave unhonored, Il
not unsung. .....