the twin hells(两个地狱)-第32章
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would take a drop if he could get it。 They must have whisky to nerve them
for their iniquitous business。 When the crime is committed they drink
again to soothe their wounded consciences。〃
YELLOW BACK LITERATURE
A boy was brought into the hospital one day while I was there； whose
history is worth relating； as it shows the fatal effects of bad literature upon
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the human mind； and to what sad results it may lead。 This youth had
become suddenly ill in the mines； and had to be assisted from his place of
work to the ward for the sick。 He was very ill for several days； but began
to grow convalescent。 An opportunity presenting itself； I got into
conversation with him； and he told me the history of his crime。 He was an
orphan。 At the death of both his parents in the East he had come to Kansas
to make his home with an uncle。 This relative was very kind； and after a
time adopted the boy。 He had a pleasant home； and his prospects for the
future were bright。 How often is it the case that the sky of the future
becomes overcast。 This young criminal was a constant reader of the Life
of Jesse James； and kindred literature； until he made up his mind to go on
the 〃war path〃 and become Jesse James No。 2。 With this in view； he
provided himself with two large revolvers。 One night； after all the
household had retired； he crept stealthily into the bed…room of one of the
hired men and stole seventy dollars。 He goes to the barn and takes one of
his uncle's horses and starts for the Indian Territory。 The uncle was
awakened an hour later on account of some unusual sound at the barn； and
going thither discovered that one of his best horses was gone； and also that
his nephew was away。 He got together several of his neighbors and started
in pursuit； and the next day； about noon； the youthful thief was overtaken
and surrounded。 The uncle rode up to him and began to question him as to
his strange conduct； when the boy drew one of his revolvers； and； pointing
at his uncle； shot him dead。 He was going to play Jesse James to the last。
When he saw his uncle fall dead from his horse； now realizing what he
had done； the bravado spirit forsook him； and he began to quake with fear。
The neighbors closed in upon him and soon took his firearms from him。 In
due time he had his trial and was sent to the penitentiary for life。
Bad books are our worst companions。 I have narrated the history of
this young murderer； and now urge my boy readers to let yellow back
literature alone。 It wrecked the future of this youth； and what it did for one
it may do for another。
A YOUTHFUL MURDERER
Willie Sells。In the prison； this convict is called the 〃baby convict。〃
When he came to the penitentiary in 1886； he was but sixteen years of age；
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and in appearance much younger。 One of the most sickening murders
committed in Kansas is charged to the account of this boy。 His home is in
Neosho County。 His father； a prosperous farmer； lived happily with his
wife and three children。 Willie was the oldest of the children。 Early one
morning he rushed from his home and made his way to the nearest
neighbor； about half a mile distant； and with his face and hands covered
with blood conveyed the startling intelligence that the entire family had
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。
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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
