Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-01-09
AFTER TWENTY YEARs.
The Errand Of the Gentleman Who Called
on Mr.. Williams

An Austin, Tex. dispatch says: In
thespring Of 1871 there appeared in
johnson county q newcomer named
Berry Williams. He was joined soon
afterward by his wife and two children,
the latter infants. The man seemed to
avoid references TO his past life, and
there appeared to- be some mystery as
to the place OF his previous residence.
Williams, however, lived such all upright
lie that the mystery OF his first appear
RICE was soon forgotten, and he came to
be ranked as one of the best 1rell in the
county. A year later his wife Was
seized with fever and died, leaving
Williams alone with his orphans. He
made sttIb to one Of the most cultivated
young ladies' OF The county, who, not
withstanding some objections from her
family, subsequently became his wife.
His new relations spurred Wjlliams'to
great exertions than ever. He added
to his acres, his stock multiplied, he
erected a fine house, and, IN fact, his
worldly affairs were thoroughly pros-
porous With his increase Of means he.
proved himself to be public spirited.
IN charity circles he was /. conspicu~
Gus member as well as o liberal giver.
II was made chairman OF the county
school commissioners, and was noted
for his progressive tendencies. Hjs
family circle, Increased by the addition.
of six rosy checked children, was one
,,f| hc E,-
short, Berry Williams had fairly won
lis place ut the head CT the county soc
cia'ly, morally ard financially.
Tive months ago, however, - marked
change came over him, winch change
was caused in some way by ihe &lvelt
Of a stranger from Georgia Later q
visit was paid to The executive office by
Sheriff Foster OF Epson county, Ga.
Ha proceeded thence to the res;tl ance
Of Fir. Williams in Johnson county,
Mrs. Williams welcomed ihe stranger.
Tor knowing his sui esran'l md she
was dumbEo,1nde'; when hor husl md
:sme i'll and. seeing the stranger, :,truch
bis hand TO his forehead and exclaimed:
is there 10 mercy 10 this Wor]d?" The
wife and chlltirc;l chung around the
knees Of the husband and fAtitar, ard
begged to know What was the matter
With streaming eyes Will;Nns turne<|
to his wife and toll her lie story Of his
life. He had served faithfully III he
confederate army during The whole
tenn of tie war. II: came out Of i!
with ilissipated habits. One ni:r!,j in
the winter of 1911, at @ 1,liI2 in t'pson
county, Ca, he had ~ fight With y rel
atiye named Calvin. They were both
severely wounded. Calvin died and
Williams was lodged in Jail 70
answer the charge Of Murder Aided
by friends he escaped and for rs years
in the home Of his adoption he had en-
deavored to live down the memory IF
his crime. In an evil hour au advun-
turer from Georgia who know lie story
Of his lite made his appearance and thus
his whereabouts became known. The
story Of his arrest created uubounded
excitement in the county. There were
those who favored forcible resistance
to the ACT Of the Georgia sheriff. The
parting scene between Williams and
lis family was very affecting G'he
citizens nave held a meeting, at which
Il petition was gotten up to Gov. Nc
Daniel OF Georgia. asking him to par
don Williams. The petition viii ba
carried to Georgia by a prominent at-
torney.