Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-04-21
AFEECTING SCENE.
An Old Man PnrdoDed after 20 Years
OF COpfinement In the MasEachusetts
State Prison.

Boston April 81 Correspondence N Y. Herald.
A most touching scene occurred in the
Massachusetts state prison in Charlestown,
yesterday afternoon. Over 20 years ago, o
young man named George Hunnewell, with
every prospect of bright and prosperous
future fell from proud and upright sta
ton OF sobrlety and integrity to the lowness
OF drunkenness, and, as too many have be-
fore and since DONE soon became willing
follower and an easy victim to that
curse of humanity, strong drink. In Oct,
lol7, after release from an Imprisonment
OF six months, he deliberately set fire. in
the night, to his own home, and brother
OF his, in endeayoring to secure some pa
pers from the building, persisted in the
flames. Hunnewell was arrested
tried, and convicted, and sentenced
to be hanged, that being the
penalty for arson in those days The SEN
tence, however, was committed to impris-
onment for life About the LIST of Februa-
ry, ~ years and TIC months ago, he en-
tered the gates of prison from which to
him there was no returning. Isolated from
the bright and busy world without, dead
forever, in this existence, to the blessed
gift of freedom, he seemed doomed TO live
on and perhaps die within the walls of a
building to him living tomb. Only once
during those long and weary years, and
then for only one short hour, has he been
permitted to gaze upon the scenes OF his
early years, and then only from the cupoa
Of his prison. Never during his confne-
ment has he been permitted to go outside
the gates he entered 80 many years ago.
He has lived on day after day, patient, yet
hopeful that he might yet be pardoned and
set free, but never daring perhaps to expect
realization of his prayers
But yesterday opened a new leaf in his
experience OF life; for at noon day he
stood, for tho first time for nearly quarter
OF century, free man. BY the consent
OF the governor arrangements we're effect
ed for extending to this old and patient
prisoner full and unconditional pardon.
About ten o'clock the prisoners we're called
to the chapel, where were seated quite
numerous audience, and, after the usual
devotional exercises by the chaplain, War
den Haynes offered few remarks, COM
prising a brief resume of his experience
during his connection with the prison, and
after briefly abiding TO the annual custom
of the governor of pardoning an in
mate of his large family, he stated
that to-day it gave him great pleasure to
announce as the subject Of executive elem
ency the name of George Hupnewell, and
requested him bearing that name to
stand up. In response an old, gray-haired
man, SO years old, slowly arose with min
gled feelings Of Joy and surprise depicted
on his features. Excited cheers arose from
the audience, which were gladly Joined in
by the prisoners, and in the confusion and
excitement Hunnewell was hurried out Of
the chapel, TO throw aside forever the gar
ments of feon, and soon came forth
clothed in the babiliments ofa free man.
He was warmly and frequently congratu-
lated upon his exit from prison life, and he
will in few days depart for a home IN
Western Pennsylvania