Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-08-03
Joseph Brown Released.

II Joseph H. Brown, who was about two
weeks ago released from the Maryland pen.
itentiary after serving two terms, aggregat-
ing 10 years, and was Immediately rearrest-
ed by Sheriff Colt, of this county, hereafter
leads the life OF good citizen he will not
be required to suffer imprisonment for steal
ing two horses in this county about 10 years
ago, to which charge he pleaded guilty be-
fore Judge Henderson in the Circuit Court
here on Tuesday morning last. Sentence
was suspended with this understanding.
Mr.. Bowie F. Waters, of the Rockville
Bar, out of sympathy, became associated
with Mr.. Samuel Pentz, of Baltimore, In
Browns defense, and personally circulated
q petition, which was numerously signed by
the leading citizens Of this community, ask.
ing Judge Henderson to deal leniently with
the prisoner. Rev. Thomas J. Packard, rec.
tor Of Christ Episcopal Church, also took q
lively interest in the case.
One of the indictments against Brown in
this county charged him with the larceny
in 1894 Of horse belonging to Thomas N.
Young, of the Brookeville neighborhood,
and the other with stealing in 1895 horse
and buggy and some harness from Thomas
W. Waters, Of the same vicinity.
At the instance of Browns attorneys,
States Attorney Robert B. Peter, who be.
came much interested In the case, agreed
that the docket entry Continued" made ct
the June term of court, be stricken out, so
the consideration of the case was taken up
at once. After the prisoner had pleaded to
both indictments, States Attorney Peter ad-
dressed the Court, stating that 1t was his
personal opinion that the accused had suf-
fered enough and that the proper disposi-
ton of the case would be to suspend SEN
tence, but stated that the prosecuting wit
ness was not willing that such. action be
taken. Mr.. Peter suggested that this wit
ness be called to the stand, so that he might
be allowed to tell what he had learned of
Brown and his former life. Judge Hender.
son replied that anything the witness might
say would have no effect on him, as the rec.
ords were sufficient evidence of the prison.
er's transgression of the law.
In passing sentence, Judge Henderson
stated that It was not the province of the
Court to wreak vengeance, but simply to
dispense justice. He referred to Browns
long Imprisonment and the fact that he had
proved contrite and obedient prisoner and
stated that his best information was that the
man had reformed. He stated that If the
spectacle of Browns 10 years of hardships
In prison were not sufficient to deter the
criminal class from the commission OF crimes,
longer term would not, and that 10 this
particular case he believed the ends of JUS
tice had been subserved. He then informed
the prisoner OF his decision.
Mr.. Pent2, of Browns counsel, addressed
the Court, expressing the thanks OF his
clients relatives and friends for the decision.
Browns wife, sister and brother wers in
the court room, and to this little groap he
Immediately made his way. He embraced
each affectionately, and for while Gil four
were in tears. Brown then thanked those
who had been kind to him, and returned to
the jail, where he got his belongings, join.
ing his relatives short while later, the party
leaving early In the afternoon for their home
10 Pennsylvania.
In talking of his life, Brown stated that
all his wickedness had been committed with
| In a short space of time, when he was q
young man. While denying nothing, he
usclareu that no got credit for much done
by others, and the one man largely respon.
sible for his participation In wrongdoing
had never been punished. He reiterated
his Intention of leading good life hereafter
and expressed confidence in his ability to do
30. He spoke of his prison experience as
hard one, and said that any one who had
suffered there as he had would never run
the chance OF being sent back.