the twin hells(两个地狱)-第21节
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given her a bad character； and that on account of it she had become the
talk of the entire neighborhood。 The enraged husband compels his wife to
go with him； and they proceed to the neighbor's house。 Hendricks took his
gun with him。 When they reached the neighbor's gate they halted and
called the unsuspecting man out of his home。 Hendricks then asked him if
the charges were true as to his talking about Mrs。 Hendricks。 The neighbor
neither affirmed nor denied the statement。 At this Hendricks leveled his
gun and shot him dead on the spot。 He and his wife in a few hours after
were arrested； and； as it was too late to take them to the county seat that
night； they were guarded in an old log house in the neighborhood。
Hendricks was fastened to the wall with a log…chain。 During the night
some one； supposed to be the brother of the murdered man； came to the
window of the house in which they were confined； and； placing the muzzle
of a gun through the window； shot Hendricks。 The ball struck him near one
of the eyes； rendering him blind in that eye； but did not kill him。 The next
day the two prisoners were taken to jail。 They were tried； and both found
guilty of murder in the first degree。 The husband was sentenced to be
hanged； while the wife received a life sentence。 They were both taken to
the penitentiary。 After they had been there a short time Hendricks lost the
other eye； from sympathy； as they call it。 For a time the husband and wife
remained on good terms。 They were allowed to visit each other once a
month。 After a while she tired of him and would have nothing more to do
with him。 She served four years； and received a pardon。 Hendricks still
remains in prison； and is a pitiable and helpless wreck。 He is totally blind；
and his nervous system entirely shattered。 He can scarcely lift food to his
mouth。 He is so weak that it is with difficulty he walks about the prison
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park。 An aged prisoner waits on him constantly to care for his wants； and
to see that he does not commit suicide。 Abandoned by his wife and friends；
left to his own sad fate； totally blind and physically helpless； he is another
testimonial to the truth that 〃the way of the transgressor is hard；〃 and it
also illustrates how much trouble may arise from using that little member
called the tongue in an indiscriminate manner。 Since my discharge from
the prison I have learned of the death of Hendricks。
Ed。 Miner。One of the men whose history will be interesting to the
general reader is Ed。 Miner。 This man is forty…nine years of age。 He served
in the Missouri penitentiary two years on the charge and conviction of
assault and battery with intent to kill。 After the expiration of his sentence；
drifting down the current of crime； he next embarked in stealing horses。
He was arrested； tried and convicted。 He received a five years' sentence；
served his time； and went out into the world a free man。 Again falling into
bad company； he tries his hand once more at the same old trade of riding
fast horses； is again caught； tried； convicted； and received another sentence
of five years in the prison； which he is now serving out。 As a prisoner；
Miner is one of the very best。 He never violates a prison regulation and
was never known to be punished。 During the war he served his country
faithfully for four years as a member of the 12th Illinois Infantry。 At the
close of the war； and just before the troops were discharged； one day on
review； the governor of the State of Illinois being present； Miner was
asked by the commanding officer to step from the ranks； and was
introduced to the governor as the bravest and most daring man in the
command。 The governor gave him a hearty shake of the hand； and
afterward sent him a neat little golden medal as a token of his esteem。
Miner now wears this suspended on a small gold chain about his neck。 He
is very proud of it。 One of our prison officers； Mr。 Elliott； was in the army
with Miner； and says there never was a braver man。 It may be a surprise to
the reader that such a brave man； such a bold defender of his country's
rights； would now be filling a felon's cell。 The answer to this is easily
given。 It is all contained in the one wordliquor。 Miner loves strong drink；
and when he is under its influence appears to have no sense。 He is then
ready for the commission of any offense； ready to participate in any kind
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of deviltry。 Were it not for this baneful appetite there is every reason to
believe he would be a highly respected citizen。 I asked him one day what
he would do when he got out。 His reply was； 〃I don't know； if I could not
get the smell of whisky I could be a man； it has downed me so many times
that I fear my life is now a wreck； the future looks dreary； awful dreary。〃
With this remark Ed。 went away to attend to his duties。 My eyes followed
the old soldier； and； reader； do you blame me when I say to you that from
within my heart there came forth the earnest desire that God in some way
would save that man； who； away from strong drink and the influence of
wicked companions； is a good…hearted； generous man。
Gordon Skinner。A young man of twenty； possessed of an innocent；
boyish appearance； whom none would take for a murderer； was sent up
from Ellis County。 His victim was Andrew Ericson； a respectable and
worthy citizen about thirty…seven years of age。 Skinner claims the shooting
was purely accidental； that he was carelessly handling a six…shooter when
it went off； the ball striking Ericson。 He claims； also； that he and his victim
were good friends； and that he never had any intention of killing him。 The
other side of the story is that there lived near Hayes City a beautiful girl；
and that Skinner and Ericson were rivals for her heart and hand。 Ericson；
being much older than young Skinner； possessed of some property； and
doubtless more skillful in the art of winning hearts； was beginning to
crowd his rival to the wall。 Young Skinner； not being able to endure the
sight of his fair one being thus ruthlessly torn away by an old bachelor of
thirty…seven； met him one day and the two engaged in a spirited
controversy； when Skinner drew his revolver and shot him。 Ericson lived
several days afterward。 Just before death； Ericson begged of his friends
not to have Skinner arrested； stating he was not to blame。 Skinner；
moneyless； friendless； a comparative stranger in the neighborhood； his
people all residing in Phillips County； this State； and； with the prejudices
of the Ericson people against him； was tried； convicted and sentenced to
twenty years' imprisonment。 If the Board of Pardons ever takes the trouble
to investigate this case； with a view of tempering justice with mercy； they
will find it worthy。 Skinner is a good prisoner； and has ingratiated himself
in the good opinion of the officers。 But the weight of a twenty years' term
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is heavy； and is visibly affecting his health。 Death should not be left to
accomplish what the Board of Pardons should take pleasure in doing。 This
delicate boy should be sent home to his parents。
FREAKS OF JUSTICE
Robert W。 Corey was sent from Wyandotte County with a sentence of
three years for stealing cattle。 This is a remarkable case。 Corey is a blind
man； and had been totally blind for thirteen months prior to his arrival at
the prison； he was a taxidermist； and some years ago had taken a contract
for furnishing stuffed birds for the museum of the Agricultural College of
Ames； Iowa。 This business requires the use of arsenic； carelessly handling
it destroyed his eyesight。 How a man； blind as he is； and was； at the
commission of the alleged offense； could drive off and sell these cattle； is
a mystery。 The man who swore that he committed the theft is now an
inma
