the twin hells(两个地狱)-第24章
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！
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
73
… Page 74…
THE TWIN HELLS
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
74
… Page 75…
THE TWIN HELLS
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
inmate of the institution； sent here for stealing since the arrival of blind
Corey。 This man now says that he is not positive that Corey took the cattle。
On the trial； however； he swore it was Corey； and that he was positive of
that fact！ About the the truth of the matter is； he was the villain that took
the cattle and swore it on the blind man。 Corey has only a few months to
remain in prison at this writing。 It is terrible to heap such a disgrace upon
as helpless a creature as Corey。
His case calls to mind another in the penitentiary。 He is a colored man
who cannot write； by the name of Thomas Green； from Fort Scott； serving
out a five years' sentence for forging a check for 1；368。 He was tried；
convicted； and sentenced。 Taking an appeal to the Supreme Court； the
judgment of the lower court was set aside； but at his second trial； he was
found guilty again； and is now in prison serving out his sentence。 How can
one commit the crime of forgery who cannot write？ Probably some 〃Smart
Aleck〃 of a district judge can explain。 I admit that it is beyond my powers
of comprehension。 It may be law； but there is not much COMMON
SENSE in it。
OH！ RIGHTEOUS JUDGE！
Gus Arndt is the next。 The history of this man will show the freaks of
whisky when enclosed in the hide of a raw Dutchman。 Gus came to this
country a number of years ago； and went to work for his uncle in
75
… Page 76…
THE TWIN HELLS
Wabaunsee County。 Not being able to speak English； his uncle took
advantage of him； no doubt； for he paid him only ten dollars a month for
his services as a farm hand during the summer season； and nothing but his
board during the winter。 Gus remained here for some time； three or four
years； working at these wages。 He had learned and could understand and
speak English a little。 One day as he was pitching grain in the field an
Irishman came by who resided on a farm a few miles distant。 Needing a
hand and noticing that Arndt handled himself in a satisfactory manner； he
offered him twenty dollars per month to go and work for him。 Arndt
accepted his proposition； and agreed to report at the Irishman's farm the
following Monday； this being Thursday when the bargain was made。 That
night the German settled up with his uncle； and received the balance of his
wages； some 75。 He had been in America long enough to reach that point
in our civilization that； after working awhile； and getting a balance ahead；
he must take a rest and go on a 〃spree。〃 He started for the nearest town。
For a couple of days he f
