Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-02-02
'TW0ULD KILL MOTHER.
A Young Man, Once a Selmian, Awaits
the Expiration of His Sentence
For Petit Larceny.

Selma Telegram.
In the work house or Jail of western
city, where the thermometer registers
only a few degrees above zero this Sa b.
bath morning is young man, well and
favorably known to every resident of
Selma and vicinity.
Less than five years ago, favorite in
social circles and an accepted visitor al
the homes of some of the Wealthiest and
best people of West Selma, he is today
a confessed felon, serving time on a
charge Of petit larceny.
If the name of this young man was pub
lished it would create a sensation here;
strike down an aged mother, and grieye
the heart of one of our lovellest and ac-
complished young ladies.
He came to this city from an adjacent
town and secured position of trust and
responsibility with a Water street firm,
the members of which are Christian gen.
tenen. A good dresser, polished in mar
ners and Of an affabe disposition, he
made friends rapidly. There was scarce
~ a german or hop given by the elite of
the city that he was not invited. During
the several years he was employed here
he made good impression OF course,
he was a Jolly good fellow" with the
boys about town; played little poker on
the quiet and did many of those things
that too many of our young men do, but
should not.
thing of a Romeo. Rumor had it that he
was engaged to West End belle when he
left Selma.
The young man went west. In the city
where he located he knew only one person
"a former resident of Selma, gentleman
but a few years his senior. IT is from
the latter that these facts are obtained
under promise that no names would be
used.
The former Selmian did not let his
lxrOw Of his ri until ha q
cen locked up in the "holdover" two
Gays and two nights, awaiting trial.
Last Sunday the friend called at the
.'1oldover' to see the prisoner and en-
deavor to get him out. This, however
was impossible, as the prisoner had con-
fessed to stealing from his employers
large wholesale firm-at different times,
goods amounting to less than $50, and
then pawnng or selling them.
It is The old story: Going the pace
that kills; living beyond a small salary,
and being tempted.
= somewhat tragic scene was enacted
at the "holdoyer'' when the friend called
last Sunday morning. The prisoners are
allowed to see their friends. men visitors
rom to $3.50 a. m. and women visitors
a:20 to 10 a. m, only. The friend reached
he prison a 1929 a. M, not knowing the
exact time he would be barred.
IN what is called the "bull-ring,' or ex-
efcise ring Of this big prison were nearly
5oys and gray-haired criminals, the in
accent and the guilty all together, scud-
dying about in the enclosure, or peering
eagerly through the inner iron grating
;swaiting for friends, or conversing with
hose already there. To an outsider not
accustomed to look upon such degraded
scene, they looked like so many rats in
a trap.
The man had been imprisoned with
hardened criminals for sixty hours and
compelled to sleep on a hard board with
a coarse blanket for covering. He had
sent word to his friend the previous night
TO come and see him that Sunday morn
ing. AS each minute of the allotted time
for seeing visitors passed away and the
friend did not come, the poor fellow, filled
with remorse and shame, but craving the
sight of a familiar face, began to despair.
At the last moment, the friend was seen
hurrying up to the heavy iron outer-gate
with number of others bent on the
same mission.
you're too late; the men visitors are
coming cut, their time being up. You
cannot enter" said the jailer.
While this information was impaired.