The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-12-27
Released After Twenty-sfx Years. Inn.
prisOnment.

me Times lattly ctlteU dttcutloh "
the fact that in Moyamensing Prison
was an occupant who had been con-
fined in that institution for nearly twen-
ty-seven years, but who was about to
be released. Edward j. Ford, the pris-
oner, is a colored man, who was sem
fenced to death on the 31st OF May,
1851. for killing his brother-in-law,
Owen Cook, by stabbing him with q
butcher knife. For some reason Will
lam F. johnson, then Governor of the
State, failed to signthe death warrant,
and no succeeding Governor felt 1t IN
cumbent upon himself to do anything
in the matter. Ford has ever since re-
manned in Prison. Yesterday Sup't
Perkins received from Gov. Hartranft
the long-delayed pardon.
Ford's long confinement has told on
him, his left side being partially para
lived. His hair is gray and very bushy.
He wears his beard full, but closely
cropped. and as he peered through the
bars with his clear, bright eyes he pre-
sented weird appearance. He RARELY
mentions his crime, and If approached
on the subject cleverly turns to another
topic. When he was first confined he
was very revengeful and threatened
the witnesses who had testified against
him, but these feelings passed from his
mind years ago. As is customary with
prisoners who have been long confined
he has his hobbies, one OF which is ar
idea that he is barometer He also
possesses remarkable hankering fol
short cake. When questioned as to hi.
health he answered: al feels vel
enough, but it's gwine to rain to-mor
row. as my old bones begins to ache
| kin always tell. How de do, Mr.
Perkins, Ito the Superintendent.
The least favor done him is treasured
in his mind, as he reverted to 'sda
'posstm you gave me; les see-oh
yes; more'n ten or twelve years ago
Mr.. Perkins. Dat was so sweet. Yor
remember, don't-Oh with a sigh
I'll never forget dat 'possum.
He spent most of his time in reading
and often made particular inquiry
about "dat yaller-kivered almanac and
DIR, Franklin almanac with the greer
back He has faint idea about the
L Istlt W d. CAplrSsto III tAlC1C "Oluo
81 didn't know dere was war until
looked out'n my window on the second
fioah and seed lots of soljers a standin
outside, when | thought they was s
gwins tn break in the prison; but whnr
| looked at dem again saw dey wasn't
| Philadelfy solers, as dey was mos
boys. Dey was from Ohio, wasn't dey-
Mr.. Perkins? / thought some of then
Dug ht'r be at home with their nom
mics. And den l heard the big guns
bang down at the Navy Yard, and
| got down in the cell, cause / didn't
know but deere mought be battle {
gwine on; end bali monght come
scootin' into my cell. Now, if de othel
side was sharp, why didn't dey built
boats and come up de Delaware ant
take Philadelfy, and then the war wa:
5SeTs But tiey didn't. Yes, all dt
colored people am free but this one"
When asked how he would like to be
transferred over the river to the aims
house.. where he. would have more freh
dom he was In ignorance of the actor
of the Prison Inspectors), the tear;
welled up in his eyes, and, with falter
| ing voice, he said: ssWould l like iii
OH God knows how would bress do
day when 1 could see de green fields, d,
ribber and de sky once NOAH, and fee
as though l was free, free, freer' Here
he broke down utterly, and sobbed a:
though his heart was breaking. docs
bird feel happy when it sings, in it
eages No. Wen. It's de same happi
mess dat / have felt for twenty-five
long years widout hope for the future
Dis summah. when l was out in de
prison yard de first time since l have
been prisoner, could not speak as ]
felt IL Sunlight fail on me widout iron
bars or stone walls to stops its beams.
1t was the first bright day had"
When the probability of an early re-
lease was, made known tn him las
t. tsstss Tie Old fellow frightened up Won
derfully. Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Per-
kins went into the cell and related the
good news.
"Ohi thank de Lordri said he,
bursting into tears, snd q, f4w. minutes
later wnen ne walked out he threw I'M
wonted activity into his thin limbs. He
will be detained at the prison until
suitable provision is made for his sup
port, : PHILADELPHIA Times