Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-03-24
NINE YEARS.
Will 4. P. Mcknight Devote
to His State.
GUILTY OF CRIME,
He is Handled by Bowling
Green People With
out Gloves.

1t will be remembered by readers of
the NORTHWEST that Hiram P. Nc
Knight, several months since, was
brought before the Probate Court Of
this county by Sheriff BRYANT, Of
Wood county, on a habeas corpus
writ, in which he claimed false i'm
prisonment. 1t developed that his
claims, from legal standpoint, were
just, and he was discharged from GUS
tody.
Going back to Bowling Green he
Instituted proceedings for heavy dam
ages against the officers concerned In
his false imprisonment, whereupon
a number of indictments were found
against him.
The following from the Democrat
tells of the disposition made of two of
the charges, besides giving interesting
inform alton about the convict's singu-
lar career. ....-.
Hiram P. Nc Knight has been con-
victed Of two crimes, and sentenced by
Judge johnson to nine years in the
Ohio penitentiary-seven years for
forging the name of little Mary Hanna
thus obtaining her STAG legacy, and two
years for beating the Wayne Building,
Loan and Accumulating Fund Assocla-
tion, of Palmyra, n. Y, to the music
of $2,595, on false pretenses.
The convict will be taken to-day to
the States prison to serve the common
wealth by compulsion.
Mcknight is lawyer himself, and
his conviction was far from an easy
task. Prosecutor Mears worked hard
and long to surround him with the
damning evidence; and several men,
bers of the bar have pronounced the
young prosecutors presentation of the
case one of great merit, and eminentiy
worthy of the bar of Wood county.
His points were conclusive and prepar-
ed the public mind for the severe sent
ence of the court. Mr.. Mears, who has
thus achieved another victory, was
material y assisted by Robert s. Parker,
lawyer of ability. Mr.. Parker at one
time was the prosecuting attorney of
this county, and was IN every way pre-
pared to become an able ally to Pros
ecutor Mears.
In the last trial Mcknight was de-
Tended by Frank A. Baldwin, whose
management of the case throughout
was adroit and able while his plea to
the jury was characterized by the elo-
quence and thoughtful preparation for
which he has well-established repu-
tation. The case however, from the
surrounding circumstances and the
well-woven web of evidences was hope
less-there was, in fact, no chance to
save Mcknight from conviction.
There seems to be no doubt that Nc
Knight is a juggler of law not to be
sneered at. He carries with him a
note book containing all the points of
law which hesprang in his recent trials,
and which not only added to the ex-
pense of his examinations but to the
| trouble and vexation of the court and
the opposing counsel.
During the days of his confinement,
Mcknight has put in his time in writ
ing book, which is about half finish
ed, to be entitled: The Golden Rules of
Practice" j" The book is to contain about
800 pages, and will be published on its
completion,
| Mcknight takes his conviction and
sentence coolly, and is now wire-pull-
ing for an easy job at the peniten-
tiary.
Speaking to a representative of THE
DEMOCRAT, Wednesday morning, the
prisoner said:
"If they had let me go for six
ty days longer, I would have paid
every debt owe, and to-dsy be rich
man. Realization of what had in
view, and what l was working for
would have been good thing for thai
part of the country ana for me.
would now be rich and respected, in
stead of a convict and an outcast
Before I go, wish to say to you ear
nestly that there is nothing in thu
story about me and a young lady o
Stony Ridge. That yarn was gotten VI
by my wife. who was jealous. Th
young woman is fine, pure and edu
Gated lady. There is absolutely nothing
against her. Were it not for my wife
, / would not be here. When went t
New York to see my folks and d
some business, she wanted to 60 along
, ard l would not take her. ] told her
would not take her foot. She becam
, vexed and wrote the letters which &c
me into trouble"
, Will you make any effort to get ou
of the pen, as you did before?" wa
asked.
"Yes; I was wrongfully convicted
and will make an effort to obtain JUS
, ice. l, of course, don't.knoW what
can do yet. =
"A great many people, Mr.. M
Knight, think you blankety fool fc
not going away on your release 6
Napoleon"
: ''[ think so myself, now. But tn
} greatest mistake I made was in suin
r the court, etc.y for false Imprisonment
7 Had / not done that. I could hav
started law office in this town, an
would never have been molested."
( Mcknight takes his conviction in a
3 easy way, and enjoys joke as niue
8 as he did before he was weighted wit
|. the burden ofhis conviction. A.
WHETHER return tothe old towr
ship election law will do away wit
: the precincts as created ty the Boar