The evening world., 1890-05-06
an OUTLAWS STRANGE TALE.
He Says He Bribed a Man tc
Stand Trial for Him.

A singular tale was told to q reporter
for the Nashville american, who obtained
the narrative under pledge of inviolate
secrecy, given under the stars at mid.
uight and sworn to by the. most bind.
ing oath man can take, never to reveal
the source of his information or the
name of his informant.
Easter Sunday morning at the First
! Presbyterian Church, before the service
opened, an usher seated stranger we'll to
the front. This stranger bore such strik-
ing resemblance to the accepted pictures
of the Mephistopheles of Faust that he
would have attracted attention anywhere.
His defiance to that religious sentiment
which naturally impels even worldly men
who make no religious pretensions to bow
the head to some extent during the service
OF prayer Was noticeable. He stood up.
held himself erect and even looked up
ward.
He took no part in the service; his
restless glance, from piercing eyes, wan
dered over the audience. He heard the
sermon entirely unmoved. But when
the soprano rendered q solo, whose sentl-
ment was, Come unto Inc. all ye that
labor and are heavy laden. and will give
you rest" his wandering attention be-
Caiuc IlNoicu On lllo luCo VI tue
AS he sat there his face was q curious
study. The hard expression began to
melt away. as melodiously poured forth
those wonderful words of Christ, Offer
ing even to such as he that SURPRISING
love.
At its conclusien he was affected to tears
which he strove TO conceal. 1t was evil
dent that this man, who looked SO like
devil in human form, still had O heart to
be touched, not by that logical, argument
ative sermon; not by the questioned dog
mass of priestcraft, but by that song or
love which has power from above to
bring forth music from lfe's hidden
Tyre" in the wicked heart. :,
But under the sermon he soon regalned
his composure, and he was seen to shake
his head at an assertion lnade by the
preacher In support of the miraculous
resurrection of Christ.
When the stranger passed from the
church the reporter, who bad watched him
closely with the reporters keen sense OF
him, and, politely touching him on the
arm, asked whether a newspaper man
might make his acquaintance.
he smiled and bowed assent, and the
two proceeded towards the Maxwell
House.
- perceive, " said the stranger, ,'that
you are interested in me, and / Will
= ,
me and who l am. but not now. Come
to my room tonight and will talk &c
you"
At night, when strolling, the two stood
upon the bridge over the Cumberland,
and leaning over the bRlustrade he told
who and what he Was-one of the most
noted criminals in 'he United States. .
fact which is known to but cry few.
For years this man went in disguise,
hunted outlaw. His brother was killed
for a $4,000 reward offered by the
authorities of a neighboring State. With
Mephistophelian cunning, to avoid . like
fate. lie took advantage of his long years
under cover without accurate description,
to employ q man resembling him,to give
himself up for trial while he, under
another name, prosecuted an honest
With money and influence, aided by
the fact that witnesses could lot posi-
itively identity him, this substitute, after
several trials. got clear. and still bears
this mans name and enjoys the large sum
he got BY this scheme.
In justice to the reporters safety from
this mans cunning aud possible yengs-
anee for thus calling public attention. 10
this incident and to him. he cannot giyo
the name of either of the men. But his
Is notorious throughout the Southwest.
This incident gives rise 10 . hope that
pc may yer repent unmolsstsd by ths
laB.