Title: Some of the papers laid before the Governor in support of the petition for the commutation of the sentence of William Foster to imprisonment for life.
Authors: Foster, William,; Foster, William, 1836-1873,; New York (State).
Publisher: Evening Post Steam Presses,
Year: 1873
Subjects: Putnam, Avery D.,; Foster, William, Trials, litigation, etc.; Trials (Murder) New York (State) New York; Clemency New York (State) New York.; Clemency New York (State)
Abstract: Letters and other documents addressed to New York Governor John A. Dix asking that the sentence of William Foster be commuted from death to life in prison. In an incident that came to be known as the "car-hook" tragedy, Foster, while drunk, murdered Avery D. Putnam on a New York City trolley.
Contents: Petition of John Foster -- Letter from Hamilton Fish -- Petition of Mrs. Putnam -- Letter from Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Tyng -- Authorities on pardons and commutations -- Recommendation of grand jurors: John C. Mather [and] F.M. Bixby -- Memorials and affidavits from jurors: Geo. K. Chase and surviving jurors; Samuel Dowding; Robert Usher, Jr.; R.Y. Martin; H.C. Rogers; F.J. Hotop; Benj. Hendrickson; [and] P.L. Hoffman -- Legal opinions: William M. Evarts; Henry E. Davies; William H. Leonard; Barlow, Larocque & Macfarland; William C. Barrett; Nelson J. Waterbury; John R. Fellows; C.A. Hand; Philo T. Ruggles; W.R. Beebe; T.C.T. Buckley; Abraham R. Lawrence; Charles E. Butler; Hiram Barney; [and] James W. Gerard -- Memorial and letters as to previous character: Memorial of Christopher Keyes and others; William H. Van Buren, M.D.; C. Godfrey Gunther; Charles M. Battie and John H. Clinkner; John Jacob Rabineau; H.A. Wilson; George F. Doak; [and] Wm. Laimbeer -- Letters from prominent citizens advising commutation: John Kelly; R.W. Howes; J. Campbell; William H. Neilson; S.T. Brown; E.D. Brown; John Foley; Rev. Dr. Noah Hunt Schenck; Rev. Dr. W.A. Muhlenberg; Morris Franklin and A. Norrie; Robert Bonner; Wm. Wheelock; John B. Randolph; W.J. Staples; Robert C. Harrison; R.T. Hoy; Charles H. Quin; Rev. Mr. Wm. N. Dunnell; Rev. Mr. Wm. D. Walker; [and] Rev. Mr. Thos. Henry Sill -- Letters from Surgeons who examined Mr. Putnam: S.A. Raborg, M.D. with accompanying letter of G.P. Lowrey; Reverhout Thompson, M.D.; Edward Vanderpoel, M.D.; [and] C.S. Wood, M.D. -- Affidavit of Policeman Joseph Cottrell -- Memorial of the officers of the city prison -- Letter from John Stacom, Warden, City Prison -- Letter from Dr. Wooster Beach, Deputy Coroner -- Letter from D.B. Miller, M.D.