A saved man confesses

Posted 8/30/22

When Washington Bailey confessed his sins in 1904, it’s possible that God forgave him. But Theodore Andrews did not.

Theodore Slocum Andrews lived in Warwick with his wife Sadie (Randall), …

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A saved man confesses

Sheriff Theodore Andrews
Sheriff Theodore Andrews
Posted

When Washington Bailey confessed his sins in 1904, it’s possible that God forgave him. But Theodore Andrews did not.

Theodore Slocum Andrews lived in Warwick with his wife Sadie (Randall), who he had married in 1889, and their daughter Flora. Theodore worked his way up the ladder of local law enforcement. He was elected police chief in 1902 at a salary of $500 per year, then promoted to deputy sheriff and finally obtained the position of sheriff of Kent County.

Prior to becoming a lawman, Andrews had operated a stable in Riverpoint selling hay and renting out horses, harnesses and wagons to the many customers who came in. On March 29, 1900, a man who gave his name as Washington Bailey appeared at the stable and announced that he was headed to Oaklawn and needed the use of a horse, a wagon and a harness for the trip. Andrews fitted him out, the man left and that was the last Andrews ever saw of him – or of his horse, wagon and harness.

Almost three years later, Bailey returned to town and looked up Andrews, who was now in the business of enforcing the law. When the two men met up, Bailey explained that he had once been a horse thief. He admitted that he had taken Andrews’ horse, wagon and harness to East Greenwich all those years ago and sold it all for $25. He confessed he then jumped on a ship and spent the next two years journeying upon the sea.

Bailey said that when he returned to dry land, in New Bedford, Mass., he got into some slight trouble when he assaulted a man. The crime resulted in him being sentenced to the house of correction. It was there, he went on, that he found God and devoted his heart to becoming a law-abiding person.       

Now that he had been released from prison, Bailey had returned to Warwick to right his wrong by making a full confession and offering to pay Andrews the money he owed him for the stolen goods. Andrews showed little mercy, immediately putting the man under arrest. Soon, the former thief was indicted by the grand jury and lodged in Kent County Jail under $1,000 bail.

Bailey pleaded guilty to the crime he had committed before he became religious. But he did not remain secluded behind steel bars, the place where he had found God. The court instead issued him a suspended sentence, a probation officer and a second chance.

Kelly Sullivan is a Rhode Island columnist, lecturer and author.

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