, 1889-11-27
A PRISONERS STORY.
The Adventures Of a Young Man
Who Turned Thief.
During Flight he is Himself Robbed
Several Times.
A Drunken Witness Materially Aids
Mike CIannan's AssaiIant.
A Prisoners Story.

"A PRISONERS StOry.
A jury late yesterday afternoon re-
turned to Judge Van Devanter a verdict
declaring Harry Carpenter guilty Of grand
larceny and recommending him to the
mercy of the court.
Carpenters story is one of unusual in
terest. OF his early life he says nothing,
but his demeanor indicates one of good
breeding. He is but Is years of age, is
prepossessing in appearance, of manly
bearing. clear eye and open countenance
free from vicious marks, but telling
rather of frankness, honesty and candor.
The average student of human nature
would readily declare that the young fel-
low could be trusted anywhere. In court
Yesterday he wore a frieze pea Jacket,
which set off his athletic figure to good
advantage. His manner was that of a
man who feels that the fates are against
him. but who is determined to accept the
inevitable with fortitude. He listened at
tentively to the proceedings. but not a
muscle of his face moved as the case of
the prosecution was made clearer and
clearer.
The case was submitted without argu-
ment and the jurors were unanimous for
conviction ON the first ballot. No defense
was attempted.
1t appears that Carpenter, driven to
desperation by reverses, enlisted in the
regular army six months since. He was
under age, but this was not noticed.
With a batch Of recruits he was sent to
Fort Laramie, which place is not, on ac-
count of its isolation, a popular station
with either men or officers.
After a few drills with the awkward
squad Carpenter became heartily sick of
army life. Capt. Robinson, to whose
company he belonged, interested himself
in the forlorn lad and assigned him to
light duty about his quarters. One day
he was placing a carpet under direction OF
Mrs. Robinson when the lady was called
in an hour to find that Carpenter had de-
camped and that $500 which she had
placed in a trunk for a servant girl was
also gone. Mrs. Robinson remarked with
Joyful complacency yesterday that Car
penter had overlooked her jewel casket
which was in the trunk and which con-
tanned besides several gold pieces some
valuable diamonds.
The story of Carpenters eventful fight
Is told by the prisoner himself without
any attempt at concealment. After Sc
curing the money he mounted a pom
which he had bought soon after reaching
the post. and rode along tho Platte river
westward. Very early in the journey he
met Constable Joe Wiley, to whom he
confded that he was deserving. Wiley
threatened to return him to the post, but
was persuaded to forsake this purpose and
conduct him to the Wiley ranch. Here
he says he secured citizens clothes and
gave Joe a grab at his roll in considera-
ton OF being directed to an avenue of es
cape from the country. Wiley took
about $50 and pointed out the trail.
Carpenter was lost in an hour, but fin
ally found another ranch, where he paid
a good fee and left his horse for a mind
map of the region.
Railway men next made a raid on the
fugitive's purse. He vas walking along
the track when he was invited to board a
locomotive. Of course he gladly COM
piled. The men told him to cough up
and after getting $25 of the diminishing
plumber left the deserter by the wayside.
Carpenter now left the railroad and
gave 4 good price for a scrub IoDy at a
ranch. Here he was headed toward
Douglas and made a start for the future
great"
At what is called the 'Italic II" ranch
Carpenter was entertained for a night. In
the morning a cowboy who was addressed
as Brownie" volunteered to accompany
the traveller 0 considerable distance
towards Douglas. Brownie was a
false friend, for they had only been on the
road a little while when he called on Car
penter to give up" and rode away with
about $50. Carpenter was not a very
correct accountant, for he says that he
never at any time during the trip counted
his money.
After the transaction with Brownie
the soldier continued to Douglas and was
shopping there when Sheriff Williams ar
rested him. He was brought to Chey-
INT by Deputy Tom Cooper.
r. An Unreliable Witness.
Louis J. Soathoff will do a few periods
OF time in the county Jail for the stab
bling of Mike Clannan in John Klett's