The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-06-26

thief. Mr.. Yoe was astounded, and
called in his father and cousin, both
victims of Harris crime, and had the
story repeated. He offered to settle
and give notes. He said he could not
give anything at present, but it he had
time he would pay them in full. The
books were searched, and during the
years 1856 7-8 the sum of $5, 900 was
found missing. All the books have
not yet been examined.
Harris admits that the total amount
stolen is between 81, 900 and Sl5, ZOO.
Harris told Mr.. zoe that he used to
take about y2,5OO q year, which he
kept in q private box in their vault.
This he afteward converted into bonds,
which he deposited in the vaults of the
Fidelity. He bought the house 1921
Prairie avenue, paying $4,000 for it,
and investing 81 600 in improvements.
When the Yoes spoke of going out of
business Harris proposed to buy them
out. They accepted the proposition,
not thinking thas they were being
bought with their own money. Harris
then had $4,000 in cash, and raised
$4,000 more by mortgaging his house.
A Mr.. Brooks and Mr.. Merrill went
into partnership with him, perfectly
unconscious of his rascality. He then
even hired one of the YOes as travel
ing salesman for the firm of Brooks,
Harris & Co. This Yoe had originally
put $4,000 in business, and so far
only got in return in oloeing uu
$500. The other members of the old
firm were almost as poorly compen-
stated.
When this story had been told, the
Court asked Harris if he had anything
to say. He replied nothing, only that
now others would have to suffer that
would not have suffered before if Mr..
Yoe had kept his promise of few days
ago.
The Court said it was the most la
mentable breach of trust and violation
of confidence that had ever came under
his observation. 1t was a most black
hearted crime, as the circumstances
showed, and the Court could do no less
than impose the heaviest penalty.
Above all, it was most painful case.
Harris said that he would as soon have
the Court make the sentence a life
time as five years, for there was no
hope for him. The Court said that he
could only do as the law said.
Mr.. Yoe at this point went to the
Court and very magnanimously pleaded
with him to impose as light q sentence
as consistent with his duty.
The Court then said that he would
make the sentence lighter, giving seven
instead OF ten years.
| Toward the close. Harris broke down.
His lips quivered and his eyes filled
with tears. The Court could not help
plying the prisoner, and, as he said
the last words of the sentence, his eyes,
too. were filled with tears. The small
number of spectators in court were
moved at the sad sight before them.
Harris is thirty years old, and has a
wife and mother, who live with him.
They were ignorant of the misery in
store for them. Harris said that the
only excuse he had was that he was
driven to it by others. Unlike embezzlers
in general, he did not squander a cent:
All of the money was saved. He had
an ungovernable ambition to become
wealthy, and be established in busi-
ness. After the sentence he was taken
to Jail. He was searched before being
taken in. He wants to get to Joliet
and away from the scene of his crime
as soon as possible. He would even go
tonight, if he could. He will be taken
down next Thursday. No case was
ever disposed of in the Criminal Court
in quicker Chicago Journal.