Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-06-19
JUDGE GRESHAM'S GENEROSITY.
j. W Nich0l Relates Another True Story
Of the Dead Statesman.

j. w. Nichol, of the Treasury De
partment, tells another story of the late
Secretary Gresham, as follows:
IAN all important case was on trial
and Senator Voorhees, was one of the
attorneys engaged. If | remember
rightly, it was case that was being
tried before jury.
During the examination of witness
ayoung mana physician-who had
been indicted for stealing letters from
the mail while acting as a clerk in O
small post office, ON the Jeffersonville
Railroad, was brought in by Mr.. Bige
low, Deputy United States Marshal.
Judge Gresham suspended the examin.
alton for a moment, and addressing the
young man said: Doctor, l have been
informed that your child is dead, and
that you would like to go and be with
your wife at the funeral, and that SC
far you have been unable to give bail to
enable you to attend. Do you know OF
any one who will become security for
you?'
The answer was: There is no one
from my home who will or can give the
necessary bail, and | have no acquain
tainoes or friends here in the city upon
whom | can CALL
After little pause, Judge Gresham
said: Doctor, if l will let you go upon
your own recognizance to attend the
funeral of your child will you report
back to the marshal when the funeral
is over?'
The Doctor timidly answered yes.
"Well, replied the Judge, 4 am 60
ing to put you on your honor. l will
allow you to 60 and be with your wife
How long a time do you wanty'
-Four or five days answered the
prisoner.
"'Well, take 10 days, was the Judge ),
answer, and at the end of that time re
port to the marshal and your case will
be disposed Of.
The young fellow burst into tears
and attempted to utter words of thanks
but the Judge waved his hands for hin
to 90 and give his personal recogniz
ance to the clerk, and turning to law
yers conducting the trial, who had all
been interested spectators of the scene
said quietly: Gentlemen, you may
proceed with the examination of tht
witness.
Senator Voorhees,, who had beer
standing near by, approached him ant
said: Judge Gresham, aren't yor
afraid that the young man you have
just let go, after the funeral is over
being surrounded by friends who m ay
give him bad advice, and tell him b,
need not go back, that he can Just al
we'll get away as not, and yielding tt
such counsel he may go and not re
turnp'
The answer to that was: Il hav,
frequently trusted men under circum
stances somewhat similar, but not jus
like this, and have never had a man t,
go back on me yet Then giving on,
of his earnest looks he said: Dan,
don t care if he never comes back, h,
shall go and bury his child (pausing
second Hell come back
"A week later, and three or four day
before the time expired, the prisone
returned and surrendered himself t.
the marshal He was allowed to gC
several days longer on his own recog
nizance. When it suited the Judge
convenience he called the man befor,
him he had already pleaded guilty,
and said: doctor, you are too younl
man to have your whole futur,
blighted; you have, no doubt, through
poverty, yielded to temptation, and il
an unguarded moment took what di,
not belong to you. You have made
great mistake, and one which has yer,
nearly lead to your ruin. Now if l Civ,
you chance to redeem yourself, will
you do it?'
"a promise was unhesitatingly given
The Judge then said: The law com
pels me to inflict fine and imprison
ment. He sentenced him one month
in the county Jail, and fined him tn,
minimum sum, and at once ordered i
remitted.
"The young physician was true t,
the man who befriended him. He re
urned to his home. His friends raj
lied around him, and his life from tha
time was all that it ought to have been
1t is many years since the incident oc
Cured, but these are facts as l remem
ber them"