The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-16
CONFESSIONS OF A PILGRIM.
Crimes That Weigh Down the Soul of
William Rarry.

William Barry.
A medium-sized man of uncertain age, with
sharp features, shifting blue eyes, a red beard
that had evidently been furrowed by many an
angry breeze, dressed in nondescript garments
but withal possessing the airs and manners of
a man of intelligence and some refinement
blew into the editorial rooms of the PosT-IN-
TELLIGEScER Office during the storm
yesterday afternoon, and, approaching q re-
porter, said in a confidential undertone: al
have confession of crimes to make before God
and man. Will you take IL and give IL to man.
kind2 II you will my mind will be set at rest
and can answer the call OF God to go to work
In His vineyard"
The man appeared to be terribly in earnest
and the reporter agreed to act as his father con-
fessor. The stranger fervently said. "God be
praisedv" and began the following recital:
81 am the chief OF sinners. For twenty-seven
years / scoffed at religion, was an ATHEIST seven
years and deist twenty years, and committed
crimes which now weigh my soul down toward
the bottomless pit Eleven months ago I was
converted, but have never confessed my past
sins before my fellow-men, and for that reason
God has punished me. When have told my
crimes TO the world so that may be found by
outraged law, feel that shall be able to preach
Glad tidings to all men,
''My name is William Barry, and was born
in Montreal forty-one years ago. My mother
died when was a child, and / started out in
the WOrlO. NneQ was ABOUT IL years OLD,
think il was In August, 1867, committed my
first crime. In company with other Goddess
young men l burgarized a store in Boone
county, Indiana Weeach took suit of ciot hes
and about IS In money. was a scoffer, said
there was no hell, aud did not think
l could be punished except by man,
and to that was Indifferent /
was arrested and sent TO jail. Ny next crime
was ail.breatiug. gave the name of Carroll
then, aud want the Officers OF Boone county to
know thai am ready 10 serve out my sentence.
My next crime WA illegal voting and perjury
IN 1863 voted at Pine Bluff, Ark, with hope OF
reward, and made n false oath TO get my vote in.
didn't believe in God and didn't hesitate TO
swear falsely, using His name. The officers can
find me and send me to Jail for that crime now
If they wish"
The strange man then went on with story OF
wandering all over the world, as a laborer, a
man holding responsible positions with railroad
companies and rs common seaman. Wherever
he went he scoied at God and committed new
offenses against the moral laws. Each offense
he says now weighs d mountain on his soul
He told OF wronSlng girl in Canada, but
the sin that weighs most heavily upon him now
appears TO be what he describes as "the sin OF
David. without the crime of murder attached"
"The man worked under me In Mexico" he
said, "and sent him away that might gain
influence over his wife. He is now dead and I
am on my way 10 Mexico TO make restitution to
his widow
The pilgrim then reeounted the manner In
which he had been brought tout OF darkness
into Light; how he had yielded to the plead
incs OF q modest, sweetvoiced cadet of the Sal
walton Army at Portage Ia Prairie, Manitoba fol-
lowed her to Vancouver, b. c.. where he had
sought the penitent's bench, and, after night,
during which he dreamed of all the
narrow escapes of his past lie, each one OF
which he now believes To have been q warning
from God, he became ''con yertei." This, he
says, was on December ii, 1890. He believes he
has been ''eaIled TO work in Gods vineyard,
but he says he cannot preach until he has made
restitution rs far possible, aud for that reason
he asked the reporter to write up his story.
"lel! the authorities they can find me between
here and Mexico II they want me- said the pill
grim, as be concluded his strange tale, and
drilied ont of the rnnn.