The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-12-05
A NINETEEN YEAR OLD GIRL

"Out in the women's ward OF the
Tennessee penitentisry. says the
Nashville American. There Is slip
Of a z irl against whom rests a crime
unusual and infrequently found against
her sex in penal institutions. Verny
Rector. alias verny Stevens alias
verny Phillips. No. 1122. is serving a
term of imprisonment for bigamy.
"In overton County this young girl
was married in accordance with legal
stipulations and the holy rites OF the
church. After a time she tired OF her
husband, left him and entered into
another matrimonial compact with
another man. There was no attempt
at secrecy and many believe no know
ledge of wrong, bat her guilt was re-
cognized by the law and she was con-
yicted Of bigamy. She is only IN
years old and really appears to be
less. She has dark hair, bright.
brown eyes, and the rudy, healthful
glow which the mountain life has
placed upon her cheeks makes her in
appearance Ill fitted to the prison life
which she must experience for two
years to come.
The Herald suggests to the good
women of Columbia and Maury
county, that they petition the Gov
ernor to give to that poor girl a
pardon as Christmas present. We
do not know the facts of the case. but
it is safe to say that she is ignorant
and poor and friendless-elses she would
not have done as she did. And NOR 9
tnan likely her first husband treated
her cruelty and drove her from him,
ana then in a mean jealous spirit
prosecuted her maliciously for wrong
she ignorantly committed.
She ought not to be kept at hard
work among criminals for two years.
and then turned out disgraced and
discouraged to go to the dogs A pardon
and home for her. where by honest
labor she may earn her living. may be
given her if few christian women
will interest themselves in her behalf.
And it may be done by Christmas, and
she may start the new year right,
if the good women will act. and act
promptly.
The sympathy that reaches out and
helps people, is the sympathy this old
world :.needs. The religion that goes
into the penitentiary and carrie pardon
and hope and opportunity to a forlorn.
friendless and peraecuted girl. is the
religion that must convict the world
and bring all men into its fold.
"A death like lethargy pervades the
church, here and elsewhere. 1t has
it's origin In wordy, perfunctory pray
ers and preaching once week. and
little or no work christian work
between time. Those who profess and
call themselves christians, need work
-unseltish. christian WORK, for God
and humanity, to warm their hearts
and increase their faith and zeal. A
better opportunity than this will not
come our way. A poor, friendless
girl; yet in her teens; caught in the
tolls of a law, righteous in itself, but
harsh 1t seems in her case, because OF
her poverty, her ignorance and her
youth. The Christmas season approach
es, when, according to custom, the
Governor more than at any other time
of the year, lnclines to mercy, for
glveness and pardon. A glrl-a mere
slip of girl-friendle ss and hopeless.
doomed to the life of an outcast ii left
to herself, needs Dut friend to present
her case to the Chief Executive who
has the power to pardon. A pure
labor OF love it would be, but what
rich reward the donors would gather
by-and-bye.
We put this upon the console noes of
the christian women of this town and
county, believing there is among them
some one who will take the initiative
to save this girl. The Herald of course
will help in any way it possibly can.