Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-07
JOE BLACKBURN,
The Ex.United States Marshal Winds
up His Career i'm the
Penitentiary.
Four and a Half Years of Hard Labor
for Forged Bond.
What Judge Trigg Said, and How the
Prisoner Took Ii.


United States Marshal, would be sentenced
by Judge Trigg yesterday morning, a large
crowd assembled in the Federal Court
room to witness the final disposition of his
case. Soon after the court met, Deputy
Marshal Wheat and an assistant were dis
patched to the Jail for the purpose of bring
ing Blackburn TO the courtroom. The Of
ficers soon returned with Blackburn, and
having also in their custody John Newton,
likewise charged with forgery, but under
quite different circumstances
The prisoners were furnished seats with
in the bar, and soon after their arrival
Blackburn was requested by Judge Trigg
10 stand up that sentence might be passed
upon him. Blackburn rose with some DIFF
ficulty, and appeared to be very weak,
looking pale and haggard.
Judge Trigg asked him if he had any,
thing to say why the sentence of the court
should not then be pronounced.
Blackburn responded: NO sir, do not
know that | have, but would like to cor
rect statement made during my former
trial" However, upon the advice of Judge
Shackleiord, his counsel, he refrained from
saying anything further in regard to the
correction.
Judge Trigg then addressed the prisoner,
saying that he had painful duty to per-
form in pronouncing the sentence of the
law against person who had occupied such
a responsible position as Blackburn had.
The oiiense committed by Blackburn was
an example OF the folly displayed by men
in leaving the paths of rectitude and hon
esty.
(Here the Judge Was interrupted by
Blackburn, who asked for permission to sit
down, remarking that he was sick and had
been for several days past. The request was
granted.)
Judge Trigg continued, ana said that it
was least expected that an officer of the
court, having such responsibilities resting
upon him as the United States Marshal
had, should become involved in such Sc
riOus difficulties. The prisoner had been
convicted at the last term Of the court, but
the court, not rejecting at the moment, did
not order him into the custody of the mar
shall. Knowing that the prisoner stood
under bond for his appearance until dis
charged, the court had supposed that when
ever he was called for, he would be forth
coming. II turned out, however, by the
time the court was ready to pronounce
judgment and the sentence of the law,
Blackburn had disappeared and was not ar
rested until some little time after the close
ofthe term
Judge Trigg went on to express his re-
gret that the prisoner had fed from Justice,
for when a man had the heart TO commit
crime, he ought to have the bOldness to
meet the consequences in any aspect in
which they might be presented. If he had
sinned and had made up his mind to vio-
late the laws Of the country, and commit a
crime of the magnitude Of that with which
he was charged, he ought to have had the
bOldneSS to stand up and meet his punish
ment. The Court did not feel inclined to
administer lecture TO a man of the pris-
Oner's age, about the consequences that
must result from such conduct. His sense
and experience had been sufficient TO take
these things into his own mind and reflect
upon them himself.
1t had been nearly six months since the
verdict Of the jury was rendered in his
case. Of course he had suffered much from
Imprisonment in Jail since his arrest up 10
the present time. IL only remained for the
Court to pronounce the sentence Of the law
upon him. II was not the Court that did
il; it was the law and the prisoners own
act, and nobody was 10 blame for it but
himself.
In consideration Of his confinement in
Jail for such length Of time, the Court had
concluded TO discount that Imprisonment
from the original sentence intended to have
been pronounced upon him. His associate
in crime, who might have been a worse
man in the transaction than Blackburn,
had been sentenced for a term of
five years, but the Court was not able to per-
cieve any great difference between the Mar
shall himself and his accOmplice, the Dep
uty Marshal. in the commission of the act.
Judge Trigg concluded as follows: 1t
becomes my duty, in pronOuReing the SEN
tence, to say that the judgment of the
Court is, that YOU shall be confined in the
Peniteniiary Of the State of Ten
neSsee, at hard labor for the
space of four years and six months,
from this day. hope your department and
demeanor during the time you are there,
will be such as 10 merit some sort of sym-
pathy from the authorities, which will,
am sure, be extended by those who govern
that institution. The Marshal will conduct
You to that prison at his earliest convenience
to-day"
Judge ShackelfOrd said that he had been
requested by Col. Blackburn to say to
the Court, that Blackburn had been in
formed that some of his friends would be
here to-day to secure the government in
debtedneSs of Blackburn, and risk the
chances of a pardon from the government
and authorities. He also asked that
Blackburn be allowed to return to the
Jail for the purpose of getting his cloth
ing.
Judge Trigg said that the money was
required to be paid and whether paid then
or hereafter, it would, no doubt, alleviate
his condition.
Judge Shackelford then asked if United
States prisoners were required to work in
coal mines and on railroads like other
prisoners, to which Judge Trigg replied,
that he did lot think they were. The
sentence was that he be confined in the
penitentiary and not out of it.
The report that Blackburn's friends and
relatives will endeavor to raise the amount
which he owes the Government and thus
secure his pardon does not seem to be cred
tied by many.
The prisoner was escorted back to Jail by
Deputy Marshal Wheat Immediately after
sentence had been passed upon him. He
was brought out from his cell at five
o'clock and turned over to Deputy Marshal
Wheat, who had large open hack at the
door in which to convey his man to the
penitentiary. Blackburn was neatly dress
ed, with his hair cut short, and appeared to
be in excellent spirits.
"YOu are going to leave us are you,
blackburn ?" inquired representative of
this paper.
eyes, I'm going over" was the response
as he passed through the Jail office, shaking
hands with all who were in the room.
Blackburn says that Harrison alone is re-
spOnsible for his being sentenced to the
Penitentiary, but says he will be released
inside of three months. His father, mother
and wife were expected here from DeKalb |
county Tuesday, but for some reason did
not arrive. Blackburn conducted himself |
in such way as to become great favorite
with his cell-mates, the fact of his being
a United States, instead of State prisoner,
causing him to be looked up to, to some |
extent by his fellOw-prisoners. He has
exhibited considerable generosity while in |
confinement here, always sharing with his |
cell-mates anything sent in by his friends. |
A few days since prisoner by the name Of |
Freeman (who has since died) was lying |
very sick in the cell occupied by Blackburn, |
Powers and several others, and the kind |
ness and tenderness exhibited in their care
of this poor fellow, is worthy of the high |