The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-07-10
Maryland,s Ex.trreaslfer.

Ex-State Treasurer, Stephenson Arch
err, caused a. surprise in the criminal
court of Baltimore Tuesday last, by
coming into court and confessing his
guilt under the Indictment charging him
with embezzling State funds The trial
of the case was set for the sth inst, but
Mr. Archer decided to enter plea OF
guilty and throw himself upon the mercy
of the court, rather than stand trial.
Broken down, haggard and care-worn.
he appeared in court with his statement
of the case, which his counsel read IL
was signed by Mr.. Archer. The state
ment was in part as follows:
Il desire here, in the presence OF this
court, to acknowledge that l am guilty
of the offense charged against me in the
indictment, and also to confess that
have been guilty of great sin against
almighty God; that have proved false
to the great trust committed TO me Dy
my native state that l have deeply and
cruelty wronged not only those friends
who, because of their great and undouDt-
ed confidence in my integrity, became
the sureties on my official bonds. but
others also who have suffered peculiarly
because of that same confidence. Inc
sorrow and misery which have been
caused by my conduct is shared by many
but no blame for any part OF It attaches
to any one but myself. 1t is all NINE
and mine alone.
mo part of the States money or Sc
curities was ever used by me In gam.
bling, stock speculation or for political
purposes, nor have / at this time one
dollar of it left. |, therefore, submit
myself to the good Judgment and mercy
of the court"
FIVE YEARS IN THE PENITENTIARY.
The reading of the plea took but few
moments. When it was concluded, Mr.
Carter looked inquiringly at the court.
Judge Stewart said, Very well: Mr..
Carter; will accept the plea of Mr.
Archer, and will impose sentence OF
five years in the penitentiary."
The eyes which had been turned from
the white haired old man to the court
now went back to him. Promptly ne
arose, and, with Deputy Sheriff Rose
man, went down the stairway to the
Sheriff's office. accompanied by Messrs:
Silver, Webster, Williams, Carter and
Cans. In Sheriff MeCaffrey's private
office, Mr. Archer bid goodbye to his
nephew, Mr.. Williams, and then he and
his old friend, Col. Edwin H. Webster,
who has been very close to him, and who
still calls him friend, even in his disgrace,
seated themselves on the lounge togeth-
er. They conversed with each other fc1
few minutes, and then, as it was time
to leave, they embraced each other sew
eral times and said goodbye.
INA HACK TO THE PRISON.
Deputy Sheriff Roseman ran ont and
I'll DID fal1s mr. fr
get upon the box. John drove his hack
in front of the Sheriff's Office, when the
party came out. Mr.. Archer leaned or
the arm of his son in law, BENJAMIN Sill
YER Mr.. Bernard Carter and Deputy
Sheriff Roseman sat on the front seat Of
the hack. Mr.. Archer had little to say
only talking in an undertOne to his sou
in-law about some little commissions hi
wanted attended to. The whole party
were very quiet, and seemed unable tt
shake off the depression that sat upor
them. When the penitentiary was reach
ed Mr. Archer thanked Deputy Rose
man, and babe him and the hackmar
goodbye.
Deputy Warden I. N. Purnell received
the party and ushered thea into the re
ception room. Warden Weyler sooI
came, and when Mr. Archer shook hands
he said to the warden:
II have come here to obey the rules
and do what am told to do. don't
wish any fayors from any of my ole
} friends"
Then Mr. Archer said to Warden Wey
ley that he was physical wreck, ane
craved few days rest.
The warden then left the party alone
. and Mr. Silver and Mr.. Archer held an
other long conversation. Then Archer
bid his SON in-law and cousin farewell
Ali three we're very much affected.
INPRIsoN GARB AMP BEARDLEss.
Up to this time the prisoner had horas
up remarkably well but the strain be
: gan to tell on him, and soon he looked
completely broken down. Mr.. Weyler
fearing that he would collapse utterly
had him taken to the hospital. The
prison barber was called in, and soon hi
head was sharn of its hair and his heavy
grey beard was shayen off
When the barber was shaving him hf
said This is the first time have beer
shaved for thirty,tiye years w When b b.
from him, and he was given the striped
suit of convict. He was then so weak
and feeble that Warden Weyler ordered
him to remain in the hospital, and al
yesterday evening he lay on his bed un
able to move After he had been in the
hospital some time he asked the Warden
not to let any one see him, and every one
who asked to visit him was refused.
Warden Weyler was asked what hi
would give Mr.. Archer to do. He replied
That he did not know yet. This morn
ing DR. White would examine him, and
he would determine that when he knew
the result of the DOCTORS examination
Mr.Archer will. unless pardoned, serve
but four years and two months, as two
months Is deducted every year for good
/ conduct When hA leaves the nenitan: