the twin hells(两个地狱)-第29节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
been murdered； and he only had escaped。 Soon an excited crowd of
neighbors gathered at the home of the murdered victims； and the sight that
was presented has but few parallels in the fatal and fearful results of crime。
The victims had been murdered while asleep。 In one room lay the father
and mother of the youthful murderer； on their bed of death。 Their heads
had been split open with an axe that lay nearby； and the blood of one
mingled with that of the other。 In an adjoining bed…room； covered with
their own life's blood； were found the little brother and sister。 They had
been foully murdered with the same instrument that had caused the death
of the parents。 Who was the monster that had committed this terrible and
atrocious act？ A search of the premises disclosed the fact that robbery was
not the motive。 No property was missing。 The survivor was questioned
again and again。 He said that a burly…looking tramp had effected an
entrance into the house through a window during the night； that he being
awake at the moment； and becoming alarmed； hid himself； and；
unperceived； beheld his father and mother； his brother and sister； thus
foully murdered。 A thorough and extensive search was made； but no clue
could be obtained that would warrant the arrest of any one。
Finally； the surviving child was taken into custody。 It was claimed that
his statements of the circumstances connected with the crime varied； and
in several instances were contradictory。 The evidence introduced at his
trial was purely circumstantial。 After much deliberation and hesitancy； the
jury decided on a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree； and this
child criminal was sentenced to imprisonment for life。
He conducts himself well in the prison。 On account of his extreme
youth he is given a great deal of liberty。 It is with great reluctance that he
talks about his crime； and longs for freedom。
97
… Page 98…
THE TWIN HELLS
Is this boy guilty？ This question has never been satisfactorily answered
in the affirmative。 I am informed there was a grave doubt in the mind of
the judge who tried the case and imposed the sentence as to the guilt of
this alleged youthful offender。 A chill of horror creeps over us as we think
of the members of this family weltering in each other's blood。 Should he
be innocent； it would be awful for this boy to remain in the Kansas Hell
for a lifetime。
A MOST REMARKABLE CASE
William Baldwin furnishes the history of one of the most remarkable
cases in the criminal annals of Kansas。 He was charged with the atrocious
crime of murdering his own sister。 William and his sister were the only
children of a widowed but wealthy mother。 It is claimed that the son had
received his portion of the estate prior to this sad occurrence； and that by
taking the life of his sister he would become the sole heir of the Baldwin
estate； which was supposed to be very large。 Mary； the beautiful and
accomplished sister was discovered dead one morning lying upon her bed
in her chamber with a chloroform bottle at her side。 A panel of the outside
door of the house was found removed。 Immediately upon the discovery of
the murder it was supposed that the house had been burglarized； and that
the thief had committed the murder。 Upon an examination of the premises
by the proper officials it was found that nothing had been taken from the
house。 In looking for a motive that would prompt a person to commit such
a fiendish act； and it being known that William Baldwin； the brother；
would be the sole heir in case of the death of his sister； he was at once
suspected of having committed the crime。 His arrest was prompt and
immediate。 He was bound over on preliminary examination； and in due
course of time had his trial and was convicted。 He was sentenced to the
penitentiary for one year； at the expiration of which he was to be hung
until dead。 His case was taken on appeal to the Supreme Court of the State。
Baldwin； in the meantime； was removed to the penitentiary。 Here he was
placed in the tailor shop； where he has remained since。 He is a very
obedient prisoner； and is highly esteemed by the prison officials。 The
judgment in his case upon hearing in the Supreme Court of the State was
affirmed。 From the Supreme Court of Kansas his case was taken by appeal
98
… Page 99…
THE TWIN HELLS
to the Supreme Court of the United States； in this highest tribunal； the
judgments of the lower courts were affirmed； and the fate of William
Baldwin is forever sealed so far as the judiciary of the country is
concerned。 If he is permitted again to inhale the air of freedom； it must be
through the clemency of the pardoning board and of the governor of
Kansas。 During one hundred and ten years of American jurisprudence；
there had been only two similar cases taken to the Supreme Court of the
United States。 But a few days before my release I was talking with Billy
Baldwin in the penitentiary； and he seemed to be very hopeful that after a
time he would secure his pardon。
His wife is one of the most highly respected ladies of Atchison； is true；
faithful and devoted to her husband。 She has enlisted the sympathies of the
entire community in her behalf； because of her youth and great
bereavement。 His aged mother； who has been called upon to wade through
deep waters of affliction because of the great calamity that has befallen her
son and daughter； will also exert great influence in getting signers to a
petition for his pardon。
The question has often been asked me； because of my intimate relation
with Baldwin in the penitentiary； whether I believed that he is guilty。 I can
answer as to my own belief。 I have watched him carefully as I have the
other fifty…five lifetime convicts； and I am free to say that I do not believe
that William Baldwin ever committed the crime of killing his sister for the
malicious desire of obtaining filthy lucre； or the estate of his sister。 He
does not conduct himself as scores of other criminals who have confessed
their guilt。 In conversation with him； while I was 〃in stripes；〃 he has time
and again told me； with tears rolling down his cheeks； that he was
innocent of the terrible crime of which he stands accused； and that there
was no brother had greater love for his sister than he； and that he had such
faith in an overruling Providence that eventually he would be exonerated
from the crime； and that the real perpetrator would be made known。 If he
is innocent and it should ever be clearly proven； his will be one of the
saddest and most mysterious events ever recorded。 There is beyond doubt
an unsolved mystery hanging over this remarkable case。
99
… Page 100…
THE TWIN HELLS
CHAPTER IX
FORTY…EIGHT HOURS IN HELL
One of the most interesting cases of resuscitation that ever came to my
knowledge was that of George Lennox； a notorious horse…thief of
Jefferson County。 He was serving his second term。 Sedgwick County sent
him to the prison； the first time for a similar offensestealing horses。
During the winter of 1887 and 1888； he worked in the coal mines。 The
place where he was laboring seemed dangerous to him。 He reported the
fact to the officer in charge； who made an examination； and deciding that
the room was safe； ordered Lennox back to his work。 The convict； obeying；
had not continued his work more than an hour； when the roof fell in and
completely buried him。 He remained in this condition fully two hours。
Missed at dinner…time； a search was instituted for the absent convict； and
he was found under this heap of rubbish。 Life seemed extinct。 He was
taken to the top； and on examination by the prison physician was
pronounced dead。 His remains were c
