Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 December 1893 — A PATHETIC SCENE. [ARTICLE]

A PATHETIC SCENE.

Ex-Treasurer Armstrong, of Tipton county, was taken to the Prison North from NobJesville, Tuesday. The usual formality in passing sentence was observed, and Mr. Armstrong was asked il behad anything to say. With tears streaming down his face he replied: “It’s useless for me to say that I did not get a cent of Tipton county’s funds. It will not alter tbe decision of tbe jury, but I know that I am innocent of any wrong-doing. I never did appropriate on* cent of that money to my private use, and now before my God and facing a court ol justice I declare I am an innocent man. 1 will go to the Spate’s prison, serve out my sentence and return to my home in Tipton county to live an honest and upright life tho rernainder-of my days, though they may be few, as I always have lived. Thl* is the saddost hour of my earthly career. For such punishment to be meted out to a man guilty of no wrong and who has always led an honest and uprfght lifo will cause tho most strong-willed and hardhearted men to weaken.” Thanking the court for having granted him the opportunity of speaking those few words, the defaulting treasurer was soated. The scene was one of the most heart-touching ev< r enacted In the Hamilton circ ait court room.