Share
News

75 Years After Committing Crime as Teen, Man Sends City $50 with Apology Note

Share

“Young and dumb” is an often-used phrase to describe the regrettable actions of shortsighted youth.

Teenagers are not always the most considerate or responsible, and while that may make for some exciting stories, it can also leave a person with regret at the end of their life.

But few would be as conscientious as this person. While it’s unclear whether the elderly person in question is male or female, most people have been saying “him” and “he.”

Midvale Mayor Robert Hale was surprised when a short, handwritten letter came to his attention. The tri-fold paper cradled a 50-dollar bill and told a repentant tale.

Trending:
Fani Willis Throws a Tantrum to Jim Jordan as Contempt Deadline Arrives

“To: Midvale Public Works Dept.,” the letter began.

“I am enclosing this $50 to pay for a stop sign I took many years ago when I was a thoughtless teenager. Stupid might be a better word for it.”

“Anyway, I’m trying to remember the things I’ve done wrong, and try to do restitution as well as I can.”



“I am almost ninety years old, and all these things have made me sorrow over the few things I did when I was young. I wish to be forgiven by the Lord, so I am sorry, and truly repentant.”

“Please use the money for a stop sign, OK? Thank you very much. Sincerely, A sorrowful citizen.”

The heartfelt note touched the mayor. It’s impossible to tell exactly when the sign referred to in the letter was stolen, but Hale thinks it’s probably been somewhere around 75 years ago.

“He paid more than $50 in 75 years he’s been carrying that burden on his shoulder,” Hale said. A guilty conscience can drain you, and this individual more than did the time for the crime.

The Midvale City Twitter account posted the text of the note, along with a description containing the few pieces of information they had on the sender.

“We received the sweetest anonymous letter from a 90-year-old Texas gentleman, and just had to share with y’all,” the description read.

Related:
Rural Indiana City Offers 'Stand-in Grandparents' to New Residents

“He’s cleared it up a far as we’re concerned. We can scratch out that line on the account receivable now,” Hale said.

Hale mentioned that there was a way to narrow down the area the sender might have come from, but finding the exact person and reassuring them that they’ve been forgiven would take a lot more work.

The $50 has been put in the appropriate account to pay for a replacement sign in the future, just as requested.

With all the attention this story has been receiving, hopefully somewhere out there, a conscience is at peace.

Submit your story here, and subscribe to our best uplifting stories here.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , ,
Share

Conversation