The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-17
ession APPLIED for Barber as servant.

cession applied for Barber as servant,
and all three were refused. The slavery
he was compelled to undergo for a
period of II months, during which he
was unable to obtain more than three
hours sleep out of the "a, neoessitated
at last his removal to the hospital,
where a real melodramatic situation
was brought about, the man who had
to make up and bring him his medi-
cine being no other than Fletcher, the
author of all his woes, the villain of the
drama. Fletcher had a hut all to him
self, with superior bedding and extra
rations, while his luckless victim was
being subjected to this barharous i'll
treatment.
While in hospital a further applica-
ton for BARRIERS services in the ca
pacity of clerk was made by Lieuten-
ant Butler and this also was refused
by Major Childs, who ordered Barber
instead to join what was known as the
heavy gang" This was composed of
the very worst type of prisoners and
was under the charge of an overseer
named Lane, who was notorious for
his cruelty. As result of the severe
discipline TO which he was subjected
while in this gang Barber had again
to be removed to the hospital. DIR. Gra-
ham, the medical officer, penned an in
dignant protest against the persecu-
ton of the unfortunate fellow and add
ed that he would not answer for Bar
ber's life If it was persisted in
When Major Childs paid his next Of
fetal visit to the hospital this protest
came under his notice He proceeded
around the wards in company with
Rev. T. G. Rogers, one of the Church
of England chaplains on the island,
who remarked: Barber is In hospital
again" "Oh, he is always in hospital"
replied the, commandant. He will not
be in much longer" rejoined the cler-
gyman: "he will be in his grave, and
I know whom / shall hold responsible
for It," This, in conjunction with the
doctors protest, seriously alarmed the
commandant, and when Barber be-
came convolescent he was appointed a
clerk in the office of the superintend-
ent of agriculture. This was the first
CLEAN Of good fortune that frightened
his life during a miserable existence
of 16 months on Norfolk island
Barber now had control of pens, ink
and paper, and he proceeded to utilize
his opportunities. He wrote letters as
sorting and demonstrating his 1nno-
cence to the imperial government to Sir
Robert Peel, Lord Brougham and other
influential nersonages. He had been
associated with Lord Brougham In sew
eral educational movements in London.
He had previously convinced the two
Church of England champions on the
island, Mr.. Naylor and Mr.. Rogers, that
he was an innocent man. Barber rep
reservations reached England, the ma
chinery of the home office was set in
motion and sufficient doubt was thrown
upon the legitimacy of BARRIERS conVic-
ton 20 warrant the government grant
ing him a conditional pardon. This
arrived after he had spent two years
and a half anon" the vilest scum of
humanity on Norfolk island. The con-
dition attached to his pardon was that
he must not set foot in England.
He arrived at Hobart, the capital of
Tasmania in an utterly destitute con
dition, but he was befriended by lead
ing citizens. The Law society of sgd
ney made a special investigation into
his case and reported that If he had
had a separate trial he would undoubt-
edIy have been ACQUITTED. At Madras
a further subscription was raised in his
favor and eventually he reached Paris.
There he waited upon Lord Norman
by the British ambassador, to whom
he submitted the proofs of his inno-
cence. Lord Normandy went through
the papers, acknowledged that it was a
hard case and promised to communi-
cate y once with the home secretary.
He did so, and as result in November