The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-12-11
Continued from first pageJ

Continued from first page.)
imprisoned on the charge of pass
ing counterfeit money. l could
easily have made my escape from
the jail of Bedford, but Samuel
Riddle and Charles Huston, Es-
luires, the lawyers to whom |
gave the balance of my money to
clear me, flattered me with such
encouraging assurances of ac-
quittal that was induced to see
it out. After remaining in jail a
considerable time and experien-
cling all the painful feelings OF
suspense, my trial was ordered
on, and Notwithstanding the zeal
and exertions of my counsel, [
was found guilty and sentenced
to ten years Imprisonment in the
penitentiary.
| remained here about a year,
during which time | began to have
serious thoughts of reformation,
when the powerful intercessions
of my friends, and the knowledge
| had of the weak side of Cover
nor Findley in favoring applica-
tions Of this nature, suggested a
pardon as the best means of re-
storing me to liberty. AS | ex-
pected, his excellency received
my petition for pardon in man
ner that gave my friends no doubt
of the success Of the application,
and they did not remain many
hours in suspense, before the sec
retary delivered them paper un-
der the great seal of the State,
granting me full forgiveness for
all my crimes, and a complete re-
mission of all the penalties of the
law. On my way from the peni.
tentiary, | stopped at Harrisburg
and as soon as it was dark, called
upon the Governor, to pay him
my respects, and thank him for
his goodness. On parting with
him ,he gave me bundle of letters
to gentlemen in the western count
ry,, which afterwards delivered.
After | left Harrisburg | vent to
Bedford to endeavor to get back
some of my money, which had
deposited in the bank, but the
bank officers refusing my checks
| was again reduced to great dis
treSs, and in moment of dispair
was very near putting an end to
my life, when | fell in with Rum
baugh, who had assumed the
name of Connolly, and a man who
called himself James Hanson. |
did not keep their company many
days, before they persuaded me
to join them in waylaying and
robbing a Mr.. M'Clelland, whom
they had traced from Pittsburg
TO Bedford, and who they found
out was to pursue his journey to
Philadelphia the following morn
ing. We accordingly armed our
selves and proceeded to tavern
within few miles of Bedford in
a lonely place in the woods, where
we drank pint of brandy; start
ing on a few rods a head we al
length stopped, and waited in the
woods near the road side for
about an hour, with great impa-
tience, until Mr.. M'Clelland came
in view. He rode along at slow
pace and in a careless manner,
until he had got nearly past us,
when Connolly jumping out OF
the thicket, seized his horse by
= the bride, and presenting, told
him if he made any noise, he
would shoot him. Hanson and
myself then came up and held his
legs, while Connolly led his horse
into the woods, where we took
from him his money in the man,
ner which has been already stated
in the public prints. To escape
detection. Connolly and Hanson
purposed to make way with him,
alleging that dead men told nc
lies, peremptorily refused, and
told them, II they did they must
first murder me, and so deferred
them from the bloody act, Hav'