The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-03-21
TnE C0LUMBUs CRIME.
A Father Convicted of Seduc-
ing his own Daughter.

an account of citizen of Columbus,
XIV. beiug charged with the infamous
act of seducing and c1rrupting his
own daughter. at the time Withholding
the name, in the hope that by possibili
~ he was not guilty of the Infamous
deed. The name Of the man was f
Vandemale, leading merchant of the
town of Columbus.
The grand jury of Hickman county
found "a true bill" against him, and
he was tried last week before the Cir
cult court at Clinton, and jury of
twelve Of his countymen, after hearing
all the evidence, found him guilty and
gave him the full extent of the law
six years in the penitentiary.
As to the Justice of the jury's yer
diet the Columbus Sentinel says:
"The agony is over, and the suspense
of O whole community is relieved by the
recent action Of the circuit court now in
session in this county, in the case of the
/ State against Yandemale Speculation AS
TO the result has ended, for Justice has
triumphed, and gnilt has been stamped
upon him by twelve good and true men OF
/ his own selectiou There can be but few
men or women, who are cOnversant with
the testimony, who do not say amen to the
verdict; and while the jury deserve no
credit for their action, upon the principle
| that with an honest man duty is a neces
sity, still, the community will and does
give the members hearty applause, and
commend them for the act"
This man Vandemale, up to the dis
covery of his crime, lived in Columbus
many years, aud there was no man,
far or near, who was more respected,
who was more popular, who was more
u:baue, or more genllemanIy 10 his
departments; none who had freer access
to polite society than he No one was
hailed more joyously aad scceptably
by every mans child than he, aud they
were encouraged in it by their parents
regardless of his creed" This is the
previous reputation given the convict
ed man by the Sentinel, and it scouts
the idea that religious persecution had
any thing to do with his conviction
and characterizes the prisoners letter
below as showing the "vieiousness of
the creature"
1t is difficult to reconcile the pre-
vious excellent standing aud good name
gisen to the convicted man by the
Sentinel, with the terrible, infamous
crime with which he Is charged. That
he is guilty we are not permitted to
doubt, because jury of twelve of his
coun:ymen, after hearing the evidence,
say that he is. Every good man, we
take it. would prefer to believe that a
creature stamped in the image OF his
Maker should not be guilty of such
a crime; and, in our judgment, when
clearly guilty there is no adequate
punishment tAr such a wretch but
death slow, torlureus, lingering death
Bur the prisoner claims to be limo
cent, and his attorneys appear to think
sufficient of his plea to make an effort
for a new trial, and if all the evide7ce
was not before the court, and the pre-
vious excellent character aseribed to
him by the ScatiAeL be true, it does
seem that it should entitle him to an
other trial. The very terror Of the
crime should entitle him to most
scrutiuiziug trial.
We know nothing Of the man, or OF
the evidence against him, except gen
eral rum0r, aud that all points to hi
; guilt. but we print the letter of the
convicted man. written from the Gin
, ton Jail, to daughter The prosecu
ton was dismissed against the daugh'
ter:
! NJ BeloCed Daughter Here am in al
my sorrowful glory. Imagine n man oil
one of the hest families, accused falsely
by persons who | helped aud did good Il
all the time; a man % years old in al
iron cage, accused of one of the creates
crimes on recOrd-cOnnectiOn with my
$ own blood |, who love my children
, almost to idolatry. Oh if this was REALLY
the truth n. would nave given no time u
an outraged community to bring me befor'
l a criminal court. | would have endet
that shameful and degraded existence o
myself
G The Incompatible and unhcRrd of judg
ment given against nc, without any rea
proof can only be accounted for becaus
i | am a Catholic. The prejudice in nj
r denominations against catholicity Il
] known in both hemi spheres and, oh, God
If that can appease my enemies, | an
willing to pass my days in prison, ant
cry out, sh, thank God, and glorify ii
my chains!
e This is a wonderful change to me, m,
o beloved child, when think on my com
o Portable rooms at home (Which you hav
kept so well, and for so many years.
= Now MY parlor, sitting room, sleeping
l room, Office and kitchen are all in on
e compartment, and of the dimensions O
e i by feet, composed of two iron window
q with forty small holes in each also a
iron door with 73 holes My Brussel
+, carpet is replaced by one of iron, and IN
II lookin g g lass is my water bucket (if ful
:, of water).
5 Mr.. Winter, = more noble specimen Q
r humanity and duty, mingled with CHART
, and love to the prisoners cannot be found
, May God bless him Now, mysdear child
if the prayers of a fond father can comfor
o you i, win be done.
e With all affection, F. VASDENALE.
, To Drive Away Rats.
A lady writer, in New York jour