Year: 1860




The case of sR odney is one of deep interest in
the vicinity where It occurred, and has created
intense excitement Rodney Is a native Of Geneva,
aud has always borne low and villainous reputa-
ton. On the 18th of May last he took possession
of gentleman's buggy and drove from Genevaa
few miles into Seneca county. He called at sew
eral houses, and by artful stories endeavored to
induce parents to send their daughter to near
neighbor, who, he pretended, was suddenly taken
sick, and had employed him TO seek assistance. At
three places he was regarded with suspicion and
sent away but finally, calling at the house of Mr.
Jedediah. Pierson, most respectable farmer. he
50 imposed upon the father that he allowed his
daught to accompany him. Rodney drove to
secluded place, where the girls cries could not
than once. The respectabiliiy Of the girl and the
previous character OF Rodney Immediately raised
such storm Of indignation that the people Were
With dihteulty prevented from lynching the
author Of the outrage. He was arrested, lodged
In Cansndaigua Jail, and at the Seneca Circuit,
held at Ovid last week he was arraigned and
pleaded not guilty. He subsequently withdrew
his plea for that Of guilty, and received the follow
ing sentence: 90


The offence for which you have been indicted,
and to which you have pleaded guilty, In one Of
the blackest in the catalogue Of crime 1t is held
by many in greater adherence than murder itself
In my own Judgment, IL any crime deserves death
II Is this one. Under any conceivable circum-
stances 1t 10 detestable crime but under the cir
cumstances Of this case 1t was atrocious We are
informed that on the evening of the 18th day of
May last, having taken possession without per
mission OF some persons horse and buggy wagon,
yop LETT the village OF Geneva, where You live,
and went to the house Of Mr.. Jedediah Pierson,
one OF the most respectable farmers In the county
and, there, under the false pretence that some
nelghboring woman was very sick and needed
Immediate care, you induced him to let his
daughter, about the age Of IL years, accompany
you on what he supposed was an errand of mercy,
Having thus lured her from her house, and taken
her to place where her cries could not be heard,
you forced her to submit to the qualification Of
your lust. We can now see that IL was iudiscreet
for Mr. Pierson to allow his daughter TO go with
you, stranger to him; but the good man thoug ht
only Of the "sick neig bbor who needed womah's
care, and doubtless the thought, up to the
time OF the commission Of this crime, never once
crossed bis mind that there could be In the wide
world man who could visit his house with the
tendish purposes you did.


The father has the consolation that YOU did not
and could not Pollute the mind of his daug hter;
and that notwithstanding this great crime az ainst
hef she Will be as much respected by all whose
respect Ii valuable as she has ALWAYS been But
this does not In the least paliate your offence II
Is inconceivable by me how, at the age Of twenty
TWO years-for you say that is your age-yOu
could nave reached such depth Of depravity an
you have. You cannot have reached IL by q
bound; but you must have done 50 through
course OF wickedness commencing with the days
or your youth. Upon one 30 thorouR hly deprayed
words Of advice and counsel, at this time. would
be thrown away. The Court are of the opinion
that you are unfit to live in civilized commu-
nifty; that you have forfeited all those ri ghts which
men hold most dear; and that you should be
placed where no member of society will ever
again stand In fear Of you. Our sentence Is that
you be confined at hard labor in the State Prison
al Auburn for the term Of yonr natural life.