Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-03-12
Alefanoria 6ax&tte
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TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 12.
REOW IL Southern Gentleman Died to
The world.

: Row II Southern Gentleman Died to
the world.
1t was exactly twcnty-eight years to day on
| the 29th of last December that Wiley Williams
was sentenced to the Ilastern Pen!tentiary, for
safe keepine" by Judge kiog. Very soon
Williams will pass in his checks, and his spirit
will go 10 the unknown world. Ihatit Is cor'
tainty in the near future this man, to wiosA
the greater part of his life has been blank, IL
fully aware. Williams was placed in the pom
itentiary not as q convict, but to keep him
from doing mischief He had shot DR.. Kirk
bride, the chief of the Pennsylvania Hospital
for the Insane, 10 the head, and the bullet,
which was driven twenty eight years ago into
the head Of the celebrated doctor, still remains
10 its original position although it does not 10
tcriere with his health. Williams now has
the distinguished position Of being number ono
on the books OF the penitentlary, his name
leading off the long list of criminals who are
incarcerated in that institution, although nc
is not considered as criminal and never was.
! Wiley Williams is the son OF the late Judge
| Williams who resided near Athens, Georgia,
and who was at one time leading citizen OF the
| State, lie was possessed ofimmenso plantations.
| and was large slave owner. Ills children we're
brought up according to Southern ideas At sew
| cntcen years of age Wiley was semitic one of the
best colleges in Connecticut to receive an edu
cation beGtting the son OF man OF wealth. lie
! remained at his studies but short time, ana
| seizng the first opportunity went to sea. ne
] took passage on whacr to crafty bis love o.
] adventure and determination OF seeing the
world. lie did not find in the real lite the
| gided amusement which the tales OF romance
| had pictured. Nevertheless. he travelled over
| a good mart of the globe, and finalIy landed on
en- island 10 the South Pacific, where he fell
| into the hands OF United States ConsuI.-
! This official communicated with WiIey's par.
cnts, and by their direction the waywsrd son
was sent back to New York, and finally found
his way to the patcrpal roof lie had not been
| at home long before his father discovered that
Wiley's mind was impaired, 30 he was sent TO
the Pennsylvania Hospital for the lnsaue' IN
this city.
In this institution ne remained for some
time, but finally became provoked at Dr. Nirk-
| bride, because that gentleman would not allow
him to visit some friends IN Baltimore. VIII
liams became obstinate and determined TO carry
out his desires, despite strict orders to the cou
trary. Seizing the opportunity one night ne
sealed the walls surrounding the grounds, took
train to the Monumental City, and, alter
making round Of his acqualntanccs, returoed
| to the hospital Instead OF returning to his
quarters, he took position IN large tree
Dr. kirkbridc was passing through the lnco-
sure in the morning Suddenly the loud report
/ of gun was heard, and the doctor fell to the
ground wounded, the bullet entering his head.
Williams then camo down from the tree, and.
walking up to tho doctor, he said: "Y ou took
occasion to insult me, asd, as Southern gen
temap, determined to aVepgc the insult.
The would be murderer then surrendered
himself, and it WAS found that the injuries sus'
taincd were fortunately slight. The doctor re
| paired to tho Office Of Colonel Charles Ihomp'
son Jones, who was then al ustlce or the feace.
and made deposition, charging Williams with
assault and battery with intent to KILL On
this he was sent to Moyamcnsing Prison, and
| in due course Of time was tried Ihe Jury re-
turncd verdict of insanity, and 90 tho 29th
dav of December. lS49 Judge King directed
that Williams should bo confined IN the East.
ern Penitcntiary for safe keeping. This order
| has been obcycd with d vengeance, although
! tho prison authorities would long ago have been
| clad to release their ward. Up to the breaking
] ont Of the rebellion, Williams father contrib
utcd money enough to pay for his son keep,
| but the emancipation proclamation OF President
| Iinooin set his slaves free and impoverished
the Judge. The contributions ceased alter
that date, although brother OF the lncarccrat'
/ ed man, ct various times sent SUMS OF money
| North to his unfortunate relative. whey W
ar,s was bcqueathcd a large plantation oy h!H
iatber, but the trustees who arc managing IL
| for him always replied, in answer to inquiries
that it was not paying, and there was 90 money
! for the owner. Although perfectly harmless
mono Of the friends or relatives or the unforLu
nate man will become rcsponsible lor h'n' 90
| tharc il no recourse left the inspectors OF the
! pnn;tnntiarv but to adhere to the original order
of the Court
| Williams ID now seventy years oil age and
dacrcnit lie Is fast falling in health, and
| 1.oth ,oI soon claim him for its own. llc Is
] not confined 20 a CELL but for some years has
had the priyilccc Of the yard. The old man
! nynrcsscs hut ouc desire, and that is 10 be
| toknn TO Georeia 'to die on the old pIanta
tion. .sDo YOU think they Will send 70, mc?'
he frcouentIv asks of the inspectors, as he sits
4 droam,Iv in bis Hc!!.k chair, where he
sncnds hour after hour, apparently lost IN dcch
meditation. Il should like to die 10 Hcorga;
lie always iruuire5 OF strangers, mats inc
news from The South p and with the charac
teristics Of man whose whole heart IS centred
in one section Of the country and ltS peculiar
ties Wiley Williams is a 'l7ng ekclctoh o.
}"Southcra ccnticma0. -,
Tbc mans memory - remarkable. Three
years ago DR.. Kirkbridgc and DR.. KerVin
vis;tcd tho Penitcntiary, and at the rtIuest ol
GoIone Jones, one of the inspectors, called on
Williams, "Who is this2' said Colonel Jones,
laying his hand on DR.. Kirkb5idse; ,uI, "Ihat is
| Dr.. Klrkbridgc--I know him." said Williams.
The two mon had not seen each other ior
twenty five years previous to this Converse ,H!,
ton turpcd on tho event which brought. VII,
Iiams to his living tomb, when he exclaimed,
| in q dlgni6cl sort Of wsy: "We!I, l gave the
Doctor nv word IS Southern gentleman that
| if he did not let mo out l. would punish MN
and 40 did. PhHaiclp7iu Record.
CANDIDATES.
Tin RESPONSE TO A PARAGRAPH IN
1 ,bo ookinu tha usn Of nv n6rDO aS