Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1895 — Novel Punishment. [ARTICLE]

Novel Punishment.

For some time F. W. Wheeler, of Bay City, Mich., has missed various articles from his ship yards, aud, detecting the culprit, called him into the office. Confronted with the proofs of his guilt, the man confessed. “I will give you the choice of two things,”'said Mr. Wheeler. “One is to accept the punishment of justice for your crime; the other to shoulder your box of tools aud march out of the yards through the shops, with me walking beliiud you. When you are asked why you are discharged, you are to confess as you have done here.” “I can’t do that,” said the man. “Then you will have to stand trial.” The other offered to pay back all he had taken. "No, you cannot do that," was the reply. “You would only Impoverish your family. I want to spare your wife and little ones. I offer you this chance for their sake.” The man finally agreed, but the tool cuest was fouud too heavy for him to carry. “Empty out the tools and carry the chest.” The order was obeyed. The chest was shouldered and the two men marched through the yards past the gangs of workmen, who cast curious glances at them. “What are you discharged for?” asked the foreman. “For stealing,” was the reply. The workmen upheld this unique method of punishment, applauding that spirit which sought to protect the wife and children. The humiliation seemed the sharpest punishment and the man was free to go and honestly strive to redeem himself, If he saw fit.

A hat is “pounced” or smoothed by 1 means of a machine which polishes the whole surface finely and smoothly with emery paper. Formerly this process was done by hand, the workmen using pumice stone for that purpose.