Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-08-23


county Offices led it to resolve upon
revenge Matters eliminated in the
arrest, trial and conviction Of the
frank and fearless boy for criminal
libel, and he was sentenced to the peni-
! Tertiary for one year. After the usual
preliminaries to which prisoners are
/ subjected ne was ordered to work by
/ the officer having him In charge
/ rude, stalwart, heartless rufhan, by the
way.
Hal, as I Will call the prisoner, folded
his arms, looked the fellow square in
/ the eyes, and said:
81 shall not work, sir was con-
victed by a packed jury, perjured wit
nesses and a purchased Judge and /
/ shall not work.
He was condemned forthwith to soil
/ tary confinement in a damp, dark cell
! and FED on bread and water:
Every morning the officer in his
rounds would roar out:
"Will you work."
Never by the thunders of God,
! never ]" was the unfailing answer.
As the days lapsed into weeks the
responses came in lower and lower
/ tones, but always the same-always
! firm, intense, unwavering.
At last they brought him out and
/ placed him In continuance where he
must pump water or drown in the con-
! stantly rising flood
"Pump!" commanded the officer.
"Neveri and if you permit me to
! perish my blood shall stain your soul
! forever Z"
The water rose higher and higher,
! but he stood unmOYed-higher and
/ higher till it was over his head. The
warden was notified. He rushed to
the scene, and my friend was dragged
! out limp and seemingly lfeless, being
resuscitated with much difficulty
"Send him to the hospital, cried the
warden, "and when we have him back
in hearty health 1 rather think I will
! find a way to reduce his will
So a week later Hal was brought be-
fore the warden.
will you work ?"
"Never, sir! I am no criminal You
may Kill me, but, by Heaven, you shall
not conquer mel"
Strip him, tie him by the thumbs
and bring the cato -nine-tails !" hOwled
the warden.
It was done. The poor, daring boy
strung up till his whole weight rested
on his toes, and he was dashed on the
bare back till his blood formed in hOr-
/ Iible pools on the floor. But not a cry,
not an appeal, not a tear.
About this time the plaintiff in the
| libel suit fed to Canada with $50, 900
of the public money, and everything
that my friend had said concerning
! him and his comrades in crime was
| proven to be true.
POst-haste the Governor of the State
sent him full, free pardon.
On receiving it Hal drew himself
proudly up and said:
Never! I have done nothing for
which to be pardOned must be re-
leased, and the law must apologize to
me for the awful crime it has committed
in my case"
The Governor was thunderstorm at
the answer. He called to see Hal, and
was so pleased with the boy that he
ordered the warden to turn him out of
| prison "Kiclz him out if he won't
leave, were his words, "and tell him
| to call on me.
Hal was thereupon elected uncere-
/ mOniOusIy from the penitentiary. He
called on the Governor, who said
A great wrong has been committed
in your case. IF [ can do anything to
undo it, command me-"
Hal thanked him, and they were
great friends from that time on. He
returned home, and was the hero of
the hour; but the sting ranked, and he
went to Dakota to forget it, if possible,
in that wonderful country where no
man knows or cares or questions aught
| concerning the previous history of a
fellow citizen.
1t is q strange story, and one unlike
any other that ever came to my knOwl-
edge.