AFTER MANY YEARS

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 March 1926, Page 2

AFTER MANY YEARS

“UNCLE ASA*’’MISTAKE. i A father’s love for his first-born, repressed during a half century’s hiding in the inaccessible hill lands of East Tennessee, brought “Uncle Asa” Patterson creeping down from the hills —■ into the arms of the law which he had successfully evaded for 45 years. The story became known when “Uncle Asa,” now 79, was assigned to the State prison farm to serve out a life term tor murder committed in .1881. . During his 45 years of hiding, the aged man had remarried' and had become the father of 10 children. His new family—his first wife was dead — never knew he was a fugitive from justice. “Uncle Asa” never had been much of a one to cut up around Christmas time. His visits to the village were very infrequent, even when the holiday spirit was at its height and all the folks left the hills to buy new calico down “the store.” This Christmas he appeared different, however. ■ He announced his intention of “going to town” and wheez ed down tiie mountain in his son’s one-lunger. And here fate stepped in. Revenue agents, always suspicious of hill folks, stopped the car to search for liquor. A small amount was found,, it was reported, and “Uncle Asa” was hauled into court. The aged man, eyesight dimmed and hearing faulty, and having kept so close to his mountain lair, was not acquainted with all the activities of Prohibition enforcers. To “Uncle Asa” it appeared they had recognised him and were taking him for the murder. He made a clean breast of the crime and his escape. Officials at the trial 45 years ago had long since died and not one remembered “Uncle Asa’s” case. Musty volumes were thumbed, however, and a record of his sentence found. The name of the victim and the record of the trial had long since been lost in the musty files. “Lhicle Asa” was taken to the State prison farm without being allowed to visit his son, whom he had not seen in 45 years.