Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-11-15

Wayne county. Pa, has character
vith an eventful history. His name u
George Avery, end at present he Is 10
one of the Western States. In 1879,
when Avery was only q years old. be
vas charged with the murder OF John
Hay mes, Of Rovlands, Pike county de
vas arrest4d l. The evidence against him
uas said 10 be 30 conclusive that be
could rot escape hanging.
While on the way 70 Milford. where
the county prison was located. ~ charge
Of q deputy sheriff, the o<hcial im6ibed
freely and became heiplessly drunk
Avery secured the mans keyA and. I'M
locking his handcu6s. be placed them
in the bottom Of the wagon. He took
the reins from the officials hands and
drove 70 the nearest hotsl, where he ar
rived at late hoor. He put the drunken
man 10 bed. reused him the next morn
ing, Drove on to Milford, and. after be
had put the deputy 70 bed ct the hotsl,
b walked TO the Jail and delivered him
self n the keeper, telling him OF his
sxpsFisncs.
Ihres months later be was tried for
murder, and, in spite Of overwhelming
proof against him, Vas acquitted The
day after be was discharged from Gus
tody be Vas arrested, charged with bar
RlaSy, convicted and ISN'T TO State prison
| for eighteen months. He served the full
| term, reading Law during his conhne-
ment. when he left the Eastern Peni
tertiary at Philadelphia, he returned
home, opened o Law Office. and had ssv.
eral citizens arrested who had testified
against him when he vas on trial fol-
burQlary, charging them with perjury
Failing 10 make out his case, he wal
sentenced TO pay the costs.
He had no money, 90 he vent again to
| Jail. where he remained until his friends
could scraps up enough money to &c,
him out. Finally he became free mar
again, and returned to his old home al
Rowlanea
From that time burelaries we're M
merous about there, but there was nevel
evidence enooRh to convict Avery. A
ear or 90 later be went TO Oil City
where he hung out his shinale as q
lawyer. Clients were numerous and
fees were large. Avery was reaping a
golden harvest when be was convicted
Of forgery and sent to the Western Pen
itentiary for four years and eleven
months. While there he fell in love
With the daughter of one Of the prison
keepers, and she offered TO assist him
to escape, bat he refused to leave until
his time vas out. At the end Of the
term he went back to Rowlands, soon
afterward professed religion, began to
preach a little, swindled q neighbol
ont of one hundred dollars. and was in
duced by the neiehbor, who enforced
his argument with shotgun, to refund
the money.
Avery then went 10 Luzerne county
where be got into difficulty and was
sent to the Eastern Penitentiary for a
short term. Upon bis release he stole
enough money to take him to the
mining regions Of the far West, where
| under an assumed name, he at once
opened q law effice and speculated in
stocks.
| In 1892 he struck il rich, cleared
$4,000, gave mp stocks, invested his
money in Government bonds, and sent
for his d, noee. tho prison keepers
daughter. Who joined him in Chicago
| where they were married.
Avery in oaly - years old. He never
touched bQ1or, never gamblea with
cards nor used tobacco. and claims t.
have been a victim of circumstances
He writes to his friends that he il lead
ing IA honest, upright life, and thai
| when he comes East il will be az 4
United S'ates Senator from one OF tn.
Western States.