Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-12-03


from his old associate. or from what
quarter aid was To come. and did in the
shape of fine saw. was never known.
lie made no secret of the fact that he
expected to escape. Although the old
Jail at Cambridge was remarkably
strong one, well ollicered and guarded,
yet the sheriff took the prccaution to
have the prisoner chained by the ankle
to an ron staple in the stone wall. Ev-
erythng remained quiet until the third
day before the execution. On the morn
ing of that day, Mr.. Andrews. the Jail
er, went in the prisoner cell with his
breakfast. He found him sitting upon
his bed with his blankets thrown over
his shoulders, and just in front of him
and apparently out of his reach. was
piece of tobacco which he requested
the latter TO pick up for him. and as he
stopped down to do so. quicker than
lightning Martin sprang up and dealt
him heavy blow on the head with the
chain he had succeeded in removing
from h leg. and he fell insensiblc mt
his feet. He rushed out INTO the ward
and threw himself with all his power
against the wicker gate. when the
thought occurred to him that the taller
might revive; he ran back and locked
him.in the cell. and then renewed his
efforts against the gate. which finally
Welded, and he passed out and started
of over the marshes towords Cam
bridgeport. The alarm had now been
given, and large crowd started in
pursuit. A small part of the chain still
attached 10 his leg, which impeded his
progress. and he was finally overtaken
and returned to his old quarters. His
first inquiry on reaching the jail was in
regard to the injury to the jailer. and
expressed great JOY on being told that
his wounds were not serious. Mr. An
drcws had been very kind 20 him. and
rs he said, he hesitated a long time be-
fore lie could reconcile himself to the
idea of obtaining his liberty by injuring
him. The love of his life finally pre-
dominated and he took the chances
All hope had now fled. and he passed
the short time left to him to live in
becoming manner. He had lived bold
and fearles, man, and he maintained
that character TO the end.
Nothing in his life
Became him like the leaving L; he died
A. one that had been studied i'm his death,
10 throw away the dearest thing he owned,
As 'twere careless trihe
This was the last execution for high
way robbery in Massachusetts,.
4 few years later two men, Crockett
and-the name of his associate has
passed from my recollection con
victed in Boston of arson and SEN
fenced TO be han red. Public sentiment
changel somew hat in regard 10 the
severity Of the penalty, and strong eff
forts were made TO save them from the
gallows, but the governor, Briggs if
remember right. was inneNible ana
they were executed in the yard of the
old Jail on Leverett street These were
the last executions for any crime ex-
ccpt murder in the first degree that
has taken place i'm Massachusetts. Be
fore the law was changed another man,
George Iunnewell, of Cambridge. was
convicted of the crime and sentenced
60 death. The sentence, however. was
commuted TO Imprisonment in the state
prison for life, where he remained
twcnty-ycars and two months, when
he was pardoned. That was the long
est term ever served by any convict up
TO that time.
The following incident in the prison
life of Hunncwell will bear repeating:
As the warden was passing through
the prison yard one morning be was
accosted by Hunnewell who said: Il
would like to ask favor of YOU, Mr.
Warden. if thought you would grant
it?' ''lf it is proper one | should be
very happy to. was the reply. He
cont nued: Il have been an inmate of
this prison over twenty years; during
all that time | have not been outside
or looked over the walls; now | would
like, if you would permit me, TO 90
up on 90 that staging, pointing to one
which had been erected around the Gu
pola TO make some repairs, land look
out into the world once more. Ger
tainly," replied the warden; "comc
with me.
This man was born beneath the
shadow of Harvard college, and always
lived in Cambridge He was wild
boy and gave his parents much trouble
He was present and took an active
part in the burning OF the convent on
Mount Benedict. lie became con-
tirmed drunkard. and wa, frequently
an inmate of the house of correction in
consequence On being discharged
from that institution. after having scrv-
eel n sentence upon complaint made
by his own mother. he on the following
night set fire to her house. wh,h was
consumed. and his brother perished in
the flames. For this crime he was sem
fenced 10 death, which sentence. as
has been stated. was committed TO i'm
prisonment for life by Gov Briggs.
During the whole period of his con-
finement he had not been outside nor
looked over the walls. What changes
.ad taken place not only IN that vicini-
t., aud in our country. but throughout
the world. during the twenty years of
his isolation. New governments had
arisen and old dynast.es had crumbled
into dust. Thousands have witnessed
tho wonderful acting of Mr.. Jefferson,
# acting il can bc called, in rip Van
Wrinkle. and have wept and smiled in
turn at his my>t tications on awaiting
from a supposed twenty years sleep.
But here was a living reality; no fic-
ton. but truth itself.