The Osceola times., 1880-07-17
A III. Subject Tor Pardon.
CIR Globe-Democrat.

A FIT Subject for Pardon.
Cor. Globe Democrat.
Twenty-two years ago the 2Sth of Sep
tember next the huge iron gate OF hu-
burn Prison closed with dismal clang
upon William Comstock, and the prls-
oner, whose heart sank low In ms
breast. began a sentence of life behind
the cold limestone walls that surround
the institution. His was terrible
crime. Maddened by whisky, he slew
his own father and mother. lie cut
their hearts out, so the story goes, and
was prepared TO roast them for u horri-
ble inhuman feast when interference
came and the perpetrator of this awful
deed was taken away TO Jail. This fear
full act occurred in the town OF BROOK
field, Madison county, New York. Com
stock was indicted, and subsequently ar
raiyned for trial. lnasmuch as the
double murder was committed when
the man was wild with delirium tre-
mems. he was permitted to plead guilty
TO manslaughter in the first degree,
which he did, and on the 25th OF Sep
tember, 1858, he was sentenced by
Judge Hiram Gray to imprisonment
for the term of his natural life. Com
stock at the time was thirty-seven years
of age. During all these twenty-five
wears he has not been outside the prison
walls, and now, at the age OF hfty-nlne:
is as ignorant of the ways of the world
as the muling infant IN its mothers
arms. When he entered the institution
he had no occupation, and up to twelve
wears ago was employed in what is
known as the State shop at all kinds OF
work. Since then he has been in the
tailor shop. His duties now principally
consist of looking after the conyicts
clothing. Every night from to
o'clock he is engaged in distributing the
mems shirts about the galleries In the
different wings. Comstock is IN many
respects a remarkable man. When sent
TO prison he was q physical wreck, from
the effects of drink. Now he 10 appar-
emily a perfect specimen OF manhood
Tall, erect, with robust form, disease
seems a stranger TO his frame. Com,
stock is one of the most orderly and
well-behayed convicts in the instltu-
ton. Since he has been an inmate he
has never so much as been reprimanded
for a misdemeanor Of any kind. lie Is
industrious, and during his incarcera.
ton has not been absent a single day
fiom his labor. His health has always
been good. This is due to the excellent
care that he has taken of himself. He
carefully guards against ailments, and
as the result he is free from the Ills to
which flesh is heir. He is an ordinary
man in conversation and manners.
While he shows no particular strength
of mind he indicates no mental weak
ness. He holds aloof from the other
prisoners, and rs a consequence is re-
spected by them. When one convict
requests him TO pass a note or some OBJ
ject to another while walking along the
galleries in pursuit OF his tasks, he
passes on, unmindful OF remarks. No
| convict ever complains Of MIN, as he Is
no tale-bearer, and attends strictly to
| his own business. Comstock lives in
hope He has faith TO believe that
| friends will sometime interest them
selves in HIM and endeavor TO secure 4
pardon. He attends chapel regularly,
| and takes deep interest in tho ser.
vices. Twice, it is believed, applications
| for pardon have been made to the Gov
ernor, but both times brother has OPP
posed them. Major William Ii. Boyle,
the principal keeper, believes that Com
sto-k, if released now, would make a
good citizen. He has lost his taste for
liquor, and maintains that he knew
nothing of his deed. This is doubtless
true, as the man was crazy with drink
at the time. Comstock is always cheer.
full. lie lives in hope and never gives
| 20. "a q Oil IA '
face. lie is dark compleIioned, with
high cheek bones, sharp chin and
prominent nose. His hair is slightly
silvered, but with the exception of one
small bald spot his head is thickly COW
cred. The man has improved by study
and would be capable Of earning an
honest living. When the convicts were
permitted to make trlnkets, none were
more skillful than Comstock. Comstock
has witnessed the coming and going OF
a generation of criminals, and has OBJ.
served the prison undergo almost COM
plete change through repairs and recon
struction. He has also seen q dozen
changes in administration. Once In
three years the set Of hands in shop
entirely changes. Thus he has viewed
new workmen at the benches and lathoe
nearly eight times. There Is not al
present a single officer in the prison
who was there when Comstock came. II
is doubted if ever man existed So long
in confinement in this hemisphere a.
William Comstock. He has gazed upon
the lfeless bodies of scores of convict,
who have died while serving their sen.
tences; but he has been spared. 1t does
seem as though the ends OF justice
would be fully subserved if this man
were given his liberty. The crime was
committed under circumstances that af
ford some palliation, and the lesson Of
almost life in prison would cause the
wretched being to live an honorable life
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