The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-28
4 GOOD LETTER
From Man Who Has Been In the Pen;ten-
tiary Twenty Years.

Governor Mckinney yesterday received
from Superintendent w. w. Moses, of the
pcnitentiery. letter written t. the latter by
George Miller. "a lite prisoner, who was sent
there about twenty years ago. Inc lotteI
says
Since my interview with you | have spent
more moments OF consolation and happiness
than at any time since my imprisonment.
Not TINT / look for any great results, but
because you, dear sir, would condescend 10
speak 10 one sounfortunate as !, your humble
servant.
1t has 80 impressed me that desire TO add
more TO my side of the interview. that you. IN
Justice 10 a fellow being. might sec more
clearly into all conditions surrounding me III
When boy waslleft alone.n the world, a
prey - all the wicked devices Of evil com
paniOns and being by nature prone - EVIL, !
was as YOU might Judge. an easy and plant
tool in the hands OF oder companions. who
rc as deeply dyedin sin as they were Old I'D
years
II was as impossible for me to withstand
their persuasion and influences as 1t Is Tor
water 10 flow up hui.
On the night Of the commitial OF the cilme
for which two Of my companions pad the
death penalty, and for which am serving the
balance of my natural lie. IN my boys
tenderness ! begged them 10 spare HE but
bent upon crime and all its revolving horror,
they needed me not but added murder and
arson - the crime already committed. | was
tine first 20 condemn the act and the last 10
consent 10 its cOmmttal
While then poor, untaught. uncared for
boy, ! was lodged here. and 1t WAS not long
before / fell into a condition more easily
imagined than told.
had not long TO teach myself that ! was
nothing. was born for nothing. knew nothing,
cared for nothing and nothing cared for me-
and. dear sir, became stone, except pos
scssing life
Aud 10 this most dreadful condition let us
attribute every single trouble | have had
rather than TO any natural inclination TO do
wrong.
was born Of feelngless parents, who left
me in infancy, and ] grew up 10 you rs the
untamed beast of the tcld-nothlng more
nothing less.
Eyily inclined, az we all are by nature, It
was and is. perfectly natural 10 see how vile
and stronger williams could make demon out
of a child, but as lived on 10 manhood here
newer and brighter thoughts possessed
me, and | beiam0 finally u learn
that though my sins were Ike scarlet, they
could be made whittier than snow. ! sought
the pardon Of HIM who will IN no wise cast
out, so to-day. dear sir am another man q
new creature in all things except these bonds
] entered this prison when lad, and when
prison life Is looked at us IL really Is, 1t IS but
easy 30 calculate that twenty years IS life
time. and yet | have been here more than
twenty years.
| have but one desire.-to end the few days
allotted to me in the sunlight of freedom, in
doing all the good | can for all the evil ! have
DONE
can better appreciate life, liberty. and
manhood and il is iarthest from any desire or
inclination Of mine ever again to lead an evil
life
That for which am now suffering was not
my crime. Mr.. Moses you have seen 1t as
have tried o. truthiuily state IT,
The part my poor hands took IN that affair
was that of a silent. stUpeted witness. and
whom the opportunity WAS allowed me told
the whole story N my simple language. ana
il was upon INV confession that justice WIS
obtained and the Commonwealth Of Virginia,
in her lawful majesty, ulumphed over q
GROWING wrong.
was happy when I had made a clean breast
Of II ALL let the consequences be a. II might,
This was my lot. and the rest you know. AS
your prisoner have made the statement. beg
giug you i'm all sincerity 10 consider u as 1t Is
aud accept il IN the spirit IN which II IS
written.
With clear conscience 10 all mankind stand
ing III the fear of God submit these poor
words 10 your judgment, subscribing myself
your faithful and obedient servant.