The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-04-06
PREVIOUS CRIME
IS RECALLED.
Sent 60 Prison In PennsylVAniA for
Burning q College Building
Conducted Own
Defense.

Conducted Own
Defense.
From TmeS-UniOnl
Heart interest creeping in because of
the very nature of the story; dramatic
incidents marking nearly every day of
the trial; sympathy first going out to
the prisoner, conducting himself a de-
Tense that would have been hopeless in
the hands Of the most skilled attorney;
sad admission from the witness
stand Of fall from his old position of
honor, respect, and trust; and then, a
broken-spirited man lead weeping from
the court room,
These were some of the things that
marked the recent trial in Tampa Of
George H. Stevens on q charge of
counterfeiting. These are some of the
details that were brought back to Jack
sonville yesterday morning when the
officials Of the United States courts re-
turned to the city. And the story it.
self, beginning years ago in PARKWAY
Pennsylvania and ending in a Federal
prison, is one that leaves him who hears
it puzzling as to the cause that under
lies it all 1t must be degeneracy or
insanity, and yet Stephens, save once
or twice, gave no evidence Of either.
Years ago-and not so many years
ago either-George H. Stephens was an
instructor in Lafayette College, at
Easton, Penn. His position gave him
honor, and he stood high among his fell
low teachers and with the students of
that old Presbyterian school, Stephens
was a favorite.
THE FIRST FALL.
Then the man fancied that he had
been ill-treated by other members of
the college faculty, and he brooded over
it. Several acts of vandalism were
traced, almost withsabsolute certainty,
to his doing, and he was watched. But
the man nursed his grievances and plot
ted on revenge, for 50 the story runs in
the court records in Pennsylvania, until
finally he committed that act which
first took from him liberty, and his good
name.
One night ParAoe H /, ore of the
buildings at Lafayette College, in which
was stored priceless collections and por-
tons Of the library; one of the buildings
richest in memories and college tradi-
tions, was put to the torch, and before
the flames could be conquered, was
only smouldering ruins.
Investigation followed, and step by
step the dastardly deed was traced back
to George H. Stephens. His arrest fol-
lowed, and later came his confession.
BEGINS LIFE AGAIN.
The judge of that court in Pennylva-
MIA was merciful, and plying the man
for what he had been, imposed a light !
sentence in the peniJentiary at Cherry !
Hill, near Philadelphia George II. |
Stephens, stripped of his honors and no
longer respected, donned the striped
suits Of the prison, and with other fell |
Ons, served his time.
When the sentence was over, the 1
man, evidently wishing TO commence
life again, came to Florida, and then, |
after only a short time, came the sec |
ond fab. Twice he is alleged to have |
attempted to pass off spurious coins, |
were made, and once again |
the prison doors shut on the Princeton |
graduate and the former Lafayette !
professor.
HIS DRAMATIC TRIAL.
Finally the day came when the man
once more stood before a judge. once |
again faced jury of his fellowmen.
He elected 70 conduct his own case,
chose to fight unaided for his freedom
and the good name he had sought to
make for himself. But failure was all
that lay before him.
Assistant United States Attorney
Richard p. Marks, who was conducting
the prosecution, brought forth witness
after witness who told Of Stephens ef-
forts TO pass off spurious coin. The
defendant, conducting his own case,
asked all manner Of questions of the
witnesses on cross examination, and
once, as he seemed to see the net that
was slowly eloseing about him, he ac-
FUSED Judge Aleck Boarman Of partial
~.
Your honor, you are not questioning
ne with a view of getting the TRUTH"
he exclaimed passionately, "but simply
,ictlm to satisfy the law"
1t was the admission of guilt, in ef.
'ect, for the keen question Of Judge
8oarman had shown even the hope
blinded man, whittier his way was once
more leading.
THE OTHER EVIDENCE.
Then came another dramatic scene,
when one Hammond took the stand and
detailed how the mar, while in the
)cala Jail, had described TO him a plat
ng outfit that he had, with which he
lope6 TO make gold and silver counter
eft money, swearing that when released
le would begin turning out spurious
gold pieces.
Dexter Washington, a jail trusty, as
hOuah IN ahamQ even mnFa the man