After nine long years of arrest, dismissal, trials and prison, Peter Bellamy was acquitted. The news was reported in the New York Times on 6 February 1886. Dr. Bellamy's initial arrest took place 1877.
It is difficult to imagine all the emotions that would have accompanied these nine years. I'm sure there was a nasty concoction of fear, relief, anger, indignation, sadness, guilt, regret, and gratitude. Peter's children were only ten- and twelve-years-old when all of this started in 1877. By the time he was fully acquitted of all charges his daughter was nineteen, his son was twenty-one. Peter had missed his children's late childhood and early teenage years.
The trials also ruined the Bellamy family financially. Legal fees, lawyers, bonds, and inability to work all took their toll. The family went from financial prosperity to financial hardship. All for helping a family member hide his crimes.
But, Peter did escape the gallows—something his brother-in-law William Morrow wasn't lucky enough to claim.
Wow what a trial(in more ways than one) that must have been. That article is a great find!
ReplyDeleteGreat news link!!
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed reading the news link. Good find. Sad story, but your right he was eventually able to become free and live his life. There's a blessing in that. Do you know what happens to him after he was released?
ReplyDeleteI know he stayed in Tennessee. His granddaughter came and lived with him for a while. I think he just kept on with his profession (a doctor) until he died in 1912.
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