Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-09-19
9aiip &thntbtt' Soutnal.
PARDONED In A WELL.

AAhDVNGD AN n W
HOW AN ECCENTRIC GOVERNOR OF MIS-
SOURI, MANIFESTED HIS GRATITtD DE To A
CONVICTED MURDERER WHO Hal
SERVED HIM.
Probably the oldest genius who ever
occupied public position in Missouri was
the late Robert NJ. Stewart. He was gift
ed with rare powers OF oratory, and eX-
erted strong influence wherever his tai
ent was known. In debate he was invini-
chile, while as a political manager he was
very influential. He lived in st. Joseph,
where he rose in political power, and,
where, indeed. he may be said 10 have
fallen. The first President OF the Hanni-
bal and St. Joseph Railroad, he was called
its father; not unjustly, either, for he lent
his whole energy to secure its success,
risking his fortune and devoting his time
to the great work. He was elected gov
ernor Ia 1867, succeeding Trusten Polk,
who was elected in 1856, and was sent to
the United States S.nate In tn" cant
3 paign for the governurship Sewslt di>-
played most conspicuonsly his powers As
a d. batter on the hastings.
man that Bob Stewart a. be was tamil
iarly known. is to be considered in this
sketch, which is printed 10 portray
one characteristic OF the tnau which vii!
give better idea nj his vac character
than any anecdoi. N a his e., 10. u t..-
lated ot HIM R31ajr~p ,.... Y.g.t. 10 900
deporlmeul. AUDI 80 uis1. r--g'rt l'e-
possessing, IL had 81 : at.ty r',
W hns dbl hi ~
demands OF natural affection.
When DUniphan's expedition was or
ganzed TO 60 through New Mexico and
cooperate with the main Unned States
army in its march upon the Halls vi the
Montezumas, in 1S47. Bob Stewart was "A
member OF a company raised in Buchanan
county, and was elected TO some subordin-
ate Office. When four days out on the
plains march, he met with an accident.
While in camp, in taking gun from a
wagon, the weapon was discharged, the
contents entering one of Stewards legs,
SCATTERING bone, aud rendering him ut
terly unfit to go on with the expedition.
One of the company, named William
Grover. was detailed to remain with the
wounded volunteer and attend him safely
home. Grover watched over his friend
with the care Of q brother. The wound
was. very serious one. and, without med
ical aid, the utmost watchfulness was ne
cessary to get the patient safely through.
This was done and Grover endeared HIM
self to Stewart most effectively. Bob
never forgot it. He used to say, "Bill,
never mind, old fellow! Pl pay you
, back some day The time will come !"
The future Governor of Missouri little
dreamed OF the fatal circumstances that
would bring around his chance to serve
his friend. But the chance came at last
All Missourians whose memories run back
:, 20 years will remember the excitement of
/, Kansas. During those stirring times Il
man accused OF being an aboitionist was
whipped to death on Prospect Hill, high
prOmontory overlooking the Missouri riv-
Il CIR on one side and the city of St. Joseph
81 ON the other. Three men were engaged
In the disgraceful work and although it
was clear they had no intention of killing
their victim, death resulted. and they We're
charged with murder. Two OF them es-
capped. Bill Grover, the friend of Stew
art, was arrested as a participant in the
crime, tried, convicted and sentenced to
the Penitentiary for 10 years. Not long
after his conviction Stewart was nominal
cd for Governor. He saw his friend just
before he was incarcerated. and said
''Bill, the first thing do after I'm inaugu-
rated will be to pardon you out, and Pm
sure to be elected" Well, the canvass
was pretty warm one, but the democrat
ic majority was 50 large that less popu-
lar man than Bob Stewart would have had
no difficulty in securing an election. Bob
was elected and inaugurated. True
10 bis word and the native instincts OF
gratitude, he went to the Penitentiary and
inquired Tor Bill Grover. He was not
there-coud not be found His name was
on the rolls, but search in the prison
failed to discover him. the thought
rushed 10 the mind Of the new Governor
that his friend was dead, aud his whole
frame shook with anxiety aud dread. TIE
idea ba, he had come to- late seemed -
oyerpo.er him. He ordered an ltntnr
diate and thorough srllch t. "a, In.td,
This resulted Ia The t,idihg al pnc Ui The
subordinate officials, who gave The .nior-
nation that William Grover was one of a
detail called out 10 dig a well in j, iforsOu
City, and that be was then engaged ~
that work-naming the place. Joy i'm
mediately manifested itself in the lace OF
the Governor. He did not, in grandi-
"loqlent way, order the man TO oebrought
before biQL He resolved TO be himself
the first TO break the glad tiiings To his
friend that he was free. So off he posted
10 the well where Grover Was at work.
On reaching the place, he leaned over
'she well, and cried out ''Bhl, are you
there Pr a4fnf
'Who's thatP" asked voice from the
subterranean deeps below.
''Its me-Bob Stewart! Come up out
o. there, you I've pardoned you r'
He had recognized the voice, made ia
miiar to him while he was racked with
pain. In few minutes Grover was hauled
up out of the well.
Then was exhibited the curious specta-
Gle OF the Governor of great State walk
ing through the streets of the capital arm
IN arm with stripe-suited convict, and
perhaps Bob Stewart was the only Cover
nor that ever lived who would have done
It.. But with him affection and gratitude
were traits too strong to be overcome by
the conyentlonallies of society or official
position. He took his old friend up to a
clothing store, rugged him out in new
suit, and made him guest at the Cover
nor's mansion, afterward providing for