Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-05-17
he KNEW 1T ALL.
A Memphis Convict Who Could See
Through Prison Walls
And Has Gone to the Great Be
yOnd.
Nashville World IS.

L. yOnd.
Nashville World. IS.
Amongtheyarieus classes of mental
phenomena presented from time to
time, bewildering the superficial
thinker and pelplexing the philoso,
pher, there are none, perhaps, present.
ing more food for thought, or more
difficulties in the way Of solution
than that of clairvoyancs, and none
involved in more mysticism. Circum,
stsnces connected with the recent
death of VIM. Bare, alias Davis, in
the State penitentiary, precluding as
they do every possibility Of rollusion
with any one present, are facts over
which the thoughtful mentalist can
ponder for many an hour together
without reaching a satisfactory con.
clusion.
VIM. Bare, alias Davis, until some
time last winter lived at Salem, Ind,
where his people are now living, and
being 10 extremely bad health, de.
eided to travel South aud being of
limited means, and compelled to make
his living as he went, he engaged with
picture copying establishment to
solicit orders for the enlargement and
copying of pictures, and set out for
the sunny South. He was not at
work long, however, before his outfit
was stolen, which left him withoutth
means of support, and he was conse-
quently driven to the necessity of
trsmping. Too proud TO let his
father know the condition to which he
had been reduced, and unable to do
manual labor, consumption preying on
his vitals, despairing of getting home or
friends, he trudged along his weary
way, heart sick and broken down, to
Memphis, where, driven by hunger,
and with q hope, perhaps, of providing
q way to secure the medical attention
he SO much needed, it is said he en-
tered church, and from that sanctu-
airy stole Bible and a small clock.
he was arrested, convicted, and sen.
fenced to term of years in the State
prison. His health declined rapidly
on reaching the prison, and it was ev-
ident he could live but few days,
but he was persistent in his refusal to
give the prison authorities the address
OF his parents, and it was only a few
days previous to his death that their
address was discovered, and only then
upon promise that his family should
not know his whereabouts. Warden
Harris. hoRever, wrote the young
mans father and put him in posses
sion OF the facts. He Immediately
came to this city aud set about secur.
ing q pardon for his boy, so he could
take him home to die.
While this was going on it was sup
posed young Bare was ignorant of the
proceedings, and to prevent a shock
and to prepare his mind for knowl-
edge of the presence of his father, dep
uty warden Grass visited the prisoner
IN his cell ostensibly to ask his permits.
sion to telegraph his father to come
to him and be with him in his last
hours.
To Capt. Grass establishment the
prisoner quietly informed him that he
knew it all; that his father was al.
ready here, and that he also knew
what he was doing. Capt. Grass uD-
dertook to convince him that he was
laboring under a delusion, but the
prisoner persisted in his statement.
The captain knowing it was impossible
for any one to have communicated the
facts to the prisoner. was beginning to
get somewhat mystifed over the mat
ter, aud asked him how he knew
bis father was heie and what he was
doing2 al a
Il have seen him in my cell and
have talked with him." repeated the
prisoner.
you could not have done that.
Your father could not have come here
without my knowledge" said the cap
tain.
Il have seen him, anyhow" per.
sisted Bare, "and | know he is here
now, and know just what be is SIDING"
you are mistaken" said Captain
Grass, your father has not been in
here, and"
But his spirit has been with me.
and | have talked with him" said the
sick man. interrupting him, "and
know al" The prisoner, to the
establishment of the Captain, whose
hair begun TO raise, related all the
circumstances connected with his
fathers visit, and was in possession Of
more Of the facts, as they were after
wards developed, than the authorities
themselves.
The above facts can be verified BY
the officers Of the prison.
The pardon came. but too late; q
few hours after it was granted the soul
of young Bare, whether stained or un-
tainted, was ushered into the pres.
ence of a higher court, whose judg-
ment, whatever it be will be Just.
L