The union Democrat., 1870-04-30
Aaeestag Scene Ia n Massachusetts Pri.ea
--Aa OLA Maa PardSasd Aftcr Twcnty
Wears er Cenanemeat.


BosroN, April S.-A most touching scene
occurred in the Massachusetts State Prison,
in Charlestown, yesterday snernoon. Over
twenty years ago young man named George
Hunnewell, with every prospect of u bright
aud prosperous future, fell from proud and
upright statitn Of sohriety and Integrity TO
the lowuess of drunkenness and vice. and. as
too many have before and since done, soon
became willing follower and an easy victim
of that curse of fhumanisy-strong drink. In
October, iS4T, after release from an impris-
onment of six months, he deliberately set FIRE
in the night time to his own home, and Q
brother OF his. in endeavoring to secure some
papers from the building, perished in the
flames. Hunnewell was arrested, tried and
convicted, and sentenced to be hanged, that
being the penalty for arson in those days.
The sentence, however, was commutcd 10
imprisonment for life. About the FIRST of
February, twenty-five years and two months
ago, he entered the gates Of a prison from
which to him there was no returning. lso-
lated from the bright and busy world with
out, dead forever, in this existence, to the
blessed gift Of freedom, he seemed doomed to
live on perish and die within the walls Of q
building to him living tomb. Ouly once
during these long and weary years, and then
for only one short hour, has he been permit
ted to gaze upon the scenes of his early years,
and then only from the cupola of his prison.
Never during his confinement has he been
permitted to 60 outside the gates he entered
so many years ago. He has lived on, day
after day, patient, and hopeful that he might
yet be pardoned and set free, but never dar-
ing perhaps to expect realization of bis
prayers. But yesterday opened new leaf
in his experience of life, for at MONDAY he
stood, for the first time for nearly quarter
of q century, free man. By the consent Of
the Governor arrangements were effected for
extending to this old and patient prisoner q
full and unconditional pardon. About 10
O'Clock the prisoners were called to the chap
ell where were seated q numerous audience,
and after the usual devotional exercises by
the Chaplain, Warden Hayes offered few
remarks, comprising brief resume of his ex-
periencc during his connection with the pris-
on, and after slluding to the annual custom
of the Governor Of pardoning an inmate of
his large family, he stated that to-day it gave
him great pleasure to announce as the sub
.iect of his executive clemeucy the name of
George Hunnewell. and requested him bear
ing that name to stand up. In response an
old grayhaired man, SO years old, slowly
arose with mingled feelings Of Joy and sur
prise depicted on his features. Excited
cheers arose from the audience, which was
gladly joined by the prisoners, end in the
confusion and excitement Hunnewell was
hurried out Of the chapel, to throw aside for
ever the garments of felon. and soon came
forth clothed in the habiliments of free
man.
lie was warmly and frequently congratu-
lated upon bis exit from prison life, and he
will in few days depart for home in West
ern Pennsylvania.