The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-12-08
FrominJ jail to y fortune. I,

Wayne county, Pa. has a character
with an eventful history. His name
Is George Avery, and ut present he Is
Ill one OF tho Western States. In 1870,
when Avery was only 81 years old, he
was charged with the murder OF JOhu
Hayns, OF RoWlands. Pike county. lie
WAS arrested. The evidence against
him was said to he so conclusive that
he could not escape hanging.
While on the way to Milford, where
the county prison was located, in
charge OF deputy sheriff, tho official
inblDed freely, aud became helplessly
drunk. Avery secured tie lnan's
keys, and unlocking his handouts, he
placed them in the bottom OF the Wag-
OH. He took the relns from the otli-
cial'S hands and drove to the nearest
hotel, where he arrived at late hour,
lie put the drunk man to bed, reused
him the next morning, drove Oh to
Milford, anu after lle had put the
deputy to bed at the hotel he walked up
TO the Jail and delivered himself up 10
the keeper, telling about his expert
ence.
Three months later he was tried for
murder, and, IN spite OF overwhelming
proof against nIll, was acquitted. Tne
day alter he was discharged from GUS
tOdy he was arrested charged with
burglary, convicted, and sent To SIaLe
prison Tor eighteen nunIhs. lie served
the full term, reading law during his
confinement. When he eft tie East
ern PenIlentiary at Philadelphia he
returned home, opened u law Office,
and had several clLizels arrested VINO
had testified against nlm Wien ne WAS
on trial 1or burglary, charging tllen
with perjury. Failing to MAKE out his
case he was sentenced to pay the
costs.
Lie had no money, SO he Went to JUL
AGAIN, Where he renamed until his
friends could sorape up enough money
10 get hnn out. Finally he Decalno d
free man again, anu returned to his
old home i'll Ruwlnds,
From that Time burglaries wero nu-
merouS about there, Uur there Was
never evidence enough to CONVICT
Avery. Il Year or 81 latur he Won't "
Ou ClCy, wncre he hung OUT his Snlu-
gle as Il lawyer. ClienL' were numer-
GUS and fees were large. Avery WAS
reaplng a golden harvest when nc was
convicted ot forgery and sent TO the
Western PeniteuJlary 1or your years
and eIeven months. While There ne
tell LII love With Lhe daugnLer OF one OF
the prison keepers, ami slle offered W
assist hlm to escape. but no refused TO
leave unLu his LlnR Was out. AT tile
end Ut the toiIE go Went back to Row.
lands, soon afLer.Ward he profoe,uu IT.
IlgIon, began pre;ich1ng a llCCIe, SWIM
died Il nelgnDor OUT OF SlUJ, and WAS
induced Wy Jlle nelYnbor, Who enforced
Ills arYunenL Will d Shotgun, to refund
Tie IuOney. -
Avery Luen left for Luzerne county,
where he got INTO difficulty and Was
senC 10 tho Eastern PenlLentIary for d
short terln. Upon his rele;se 10 stole
enough money tU take hm 10 the mill
ing regions OF the far Vest, wnere
uuuor an assumed name, le opened d
law Office and speculaLeu III STOCKS.
LII 1882 he SCrucK iG rlcn, cleared
o,UOU, gave up STOCKS, invested Ills
money Ill government bonds and senL
for his yfancee, the prison Keeper )
1;.1SiitoI, tiuu Joined nlm Ill Chicago,
where Ihey were married. Avery Is
only thirty-four years old. He never
touched LIQUOR, never gamDlou nor
used tobacco and claims Co nave beoll
a victim 0t circumstances. Ilo wrILe5
10 friends near here that ne Is loduin5
an honest, upright life, and that Wien
he comes east 1t VIII be az d United
States Senator from ono Of the WESTERN
States.