Clay County AlArchives News.....Avin Welch convicted of Arson.  February 26, 1897
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Linda Ayres http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007674 February 15, 2023, 11:38 pm

Clay County Advanced February 26, 1897
Quite a sympathetic scene occurred in the court room last week when Judge Brewer 
called Mr. Avin Welch, who was found guilty of arson in the second degree, 
before him to hear the sentence. Through the sobs of the condemned man be 
continually insisted that he was not guilty and plead zealously for his liberty. 
He said that he was the victim of an unfaithful wife, who had sworn false hoods 
against him for no other purpose than to get rid of him in order that she might 
enjoy her lewd proclivities. Judge Brewer displayed no reluctance in expressing 
his sympathy for Mr. Welch, and very cogently intimated that he believed him 
innocent, but of course was constrained to act in accordance with the verdict of 
the jury, and therefore imposed a sentence of twenty-five months in the 
penitentiary. Then it was that Mr. Welch broke down completely and convulsively 
gave himself up to his grief. Such remarks as "he is not guilty" were 
incessantly floating over the court room during the foregoing proceedings, and 
an application will soon be in circulation for his pardon, which, no doubt, will 
be granted. Then in reference to his family relations he should remember that "a 
burnt child dreads the fire".

Additional Comments:
Avin Welch was pardoned in May-1897. 

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/clay/newspapers/avinwelc2028gnw.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/

File size: 1.9 Kb