Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1885-06-20

ana IakTa Hack to Prison.
A lew days ago Governor Hughes is
sued pardon for Benjamin f. Taylor,
young man under sentence for several
years on account Of q crime committed
when he was hoy of sixteen. The cx-
ercise of the pardoning power is some
thing which requires the utmost caution
and the most careful consideration. It
is well kCcwn fact that innoccn, men are
often convicted and sentenced, and it is
also beyond denial that men guilty in tho
eyes Of the law may yet be deserving Of
clemency. This is why the power hes
been left in the hands of the Governor. -
and 1t remains with him TO discriminate
as TO the merits Of the scores and hum
dreds of prayers for pardon which pour
IN upon him: The case of ung Taylor
Is one which has attracted considerable
attention, and has been watched with no
small degree of interest. His story reads
like romance. He was led away by
evil associates, and in his seventeenth
year found himself within the walls Of
the State PeDltentiary with long term
of Imprisonment staring him in the face.
He was daring little fellow, and before
he had been long in the stripes he made
a bold dash for liberty, cvaded the
gnards and, taking to the woods sue
ceeded in baflijng ali pursuit. His in
sight into prison life seems to have had
most salutary effect upon him, for he
made his way into Texas, and under aa
assumed name soon became identilicdl
with one of the smaller towns, living an
hottest ana Industrious life. He was
respected 10y the community, and when
hc married one Of the bellies of the town
every one looked upon it as a most happy
match. He lived thus III peace and Sc
curity several years, but ono bright
evening as he sat by his freside with his
children at his knee the officers of the
law>came in upon him. Hi sin had
found him out, aud he WAS torn from his
happy home and carried back in chains
to the Little Rock Penitentiary. Heart
broken, his loving wife followed him.
Petitions from leading citizens Of his
new home poured in. 1t was an unusual
ease, and the Governor gave it his closest
attention. The young mans record at
The pcnitcntiary, both before and after
his escape, was commended by tho
authorities. AT last the decision was
reached, tn" paper was signed, aud the
patient wife received her happy husband,
once more free man. The Governor
was highly recommended for the action
on lis part, and il was predicted that lie
lad been instrumental in restoring to the
world q man who would be an honor TO
Himself aud his friends, and living
monument To- jn>tcc and humanity. The
following letter from the poor fellow
sLova his feelings when once more at
home
II an hapry-very happy this morn
ing. / AN once more al home and a free
man for cycrmorc How cad I have
been, shut up il your prison there,
away from my family and those whom
| | loved so dearly. Once more | am
with that dear loving wife who left her
| Texas home and followed me TO tho
/ prison door, hover reproacAing me- but
| striving all the time that / might he
! freed. 4 kind Governor was he wko
| treated her SO courteouslY and viewed
my ease So fairly. Never shall he regret
! bis cleme.cy and never sha!l the Justice
! OF lis act he doubted. We shall never
T forget him, and our little ones shall learn
| to breathe his name in nightly prayer.
/ Who cau doubt .ha, he had most just
ground for his action? TIE offence was
con.Aittei ~sca1s ago bT mere boy,
and mos. bitterly have TIC 4ults e the
! youth neen repeu:e,l hy The man. Kind
words Of advice AMI almo1ition hc gave
ne, ami most carefully have cherished
lhem. Received III rny Texas home with
waru-heartei irlea lunip aud freely for
givel, with the rsc aorE Of the kind sym
s.athy received in Little Rock, hos
macA the more wi strive 70 i've life
vh.cl shall repay / al.
"BgSJ.uI. +. TAILOR"
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