The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-07-31

the following. No further explanation is
necessary:
THE ABRAMS CASE.
THE STATE OF INDIANA.
EXECUTIVE DEPT, GOVERNORS OFFICE,
INDIANAPOLIs, July 3, 1878.
No 400. Exparte William ]. Abrams.
Application for PARDON.
After due consideration the governor de-
William j. Abrams. who was convicted in
the Marion criminal circuit court of
the crime OF ,O murder ana n.oI SEN
1859, TO be inn pTisoned for the term of his nat;
from confinement in the state prison north.
Decision: by the Governor. The papers be-
fore ns in support OF this aiPPlc1tii0n %eTe
contains the following: "We, the jury, nnd
the defendant, Willism ]. Abrams, guilty OF
IN ta9 and r that 6e S conged i'm the
state prison Tor lie. james IL. turner,
foreman" Accompanying said verdict Is the
undersigned jurymen in the case of the state
VS.. William j. Abrams, having in the dis
of our oaths found the defendant guilty OF
murder in the first degree, yet believing that
the crime committed by him was the result OF
wicked influence surrounding MIN ana not
the result of a bad heart, we would respect
fully ask the governor to commute his SEN
tence to ten QU) years imprisonment. James
H. Turner foreman; f. Copeland, John HOr-
ton, William Jennings, y. &. Carr, George W.
Huston, James Davis; j. :; BroWn' Inomas
W
Eight jurors have signed petition for the
defendants pardon. Citizens OF Marion
county by petitions ask that he may be par
dOued and set at liberty. A full and particular
statement of the facts of the case is made by
counsel engaged in the trial: On the 18th day
of September, 1868, the dead bodies of Jacob
Young and Nancy Jane Young, his wife, were
found at Cold Spring. on the bank of White
river, near the city of Indianapolis. Suspicion
fell upon Mrs. Nancy +. Glenn, her brother
Silas A Hartman; and the defendant, Mrs.
Glenn. has been discharged after several trials.
IN ed Snicidp while cOnfine-
ment in the jail of Marion county awaiting
his trial. On Tuesday, September TO- 1865,
Abrams arrested upon Justices warrant,
and, without a preliminary ex''lllnstlon, was
committed to jail to await the action OF the
grand jury. The trial commenced August 81,
1869, and resulted as heretofore stated. The
argument concludes as follows: 1--WE believe
we are safe In the assertion that were Abrams
10 be tried now upon the very same testimony
produced against him on the trial, any jury
would without hesitation acqu1t him. We de-
sire to call your special consideration to the
fact that the jury was out nearly three days
celebrating upon their verdict, and when
finally returned il, it was accompanied by a
recommendation TO executive clemency, after
imprisonment of ten years. II Abrams was
really guilty of the atrOciOuS crime charged
IsW womb mi' i he iust Whvp then' If
the jury believed him guilty, did they
recommend him to mercy? This, in our
minds, is conclusive that the jurors were not
convinced beyond reasonable doubt OF his
guilt. While they were perhaps unconscious
~ influenced by the prevalent public senti-
rnent and convicted him. they were DESTROYS
of relieving themselves of a burden by the
recommendation to mercy. We therefore ask
your excellency to give the pending applIca-
ton speedy consideration and relieve William
-. Abrams from further Imprisonment, be-
be subserved." NM predecessor. before retir-
ing from Office, made the following indorse-
ment OF opinion: ~ have examined this case
further light be thrown upon the transaction
with which ne is connected the prisoner should
be pardoned at the end of this year of his term.
l am not satisfied that his guilt was sufficient
" established. He has been falling in bodily
and mental strength. T. y. II.
January 5, 1871"
have examined the case several times and
AZ the last examination fixed npon this
OF the petitioners. The warden reports
that the prisoners conduct has been uneX-
ceptionally good during his confinement in
prison. The pardon is granted. j. ID. w.
The papers in the case, namely: o. transcript
OF the verdict and recommendation of the
jury: ~ recommendation of eight jurors: (3)
statement of facts and argument by counsel .
ca petition by citizens of Marion county: ~
petition by citizens of Pike township Marion
county; and % report of warden, were listed
and transmitted 30 the secretary of state.
The foregoing is a full copy of the entry
made in the record kept by me and is fhr-
nish. d for publication by the governors per-
mission. SAMUEL K. DowNEY,
July 9, 1873. Secretary.
THE BRIDGES CASE.
William c. Bridges, who was convicted in
the Marion criminal circuit court OF the crimes
tent 10 kill and murder, and sentenced on the
9Th day OF June, 1867, to be imprisoned for the
term OF fourteen years: pardoned July 3, 1875
and released from confinement in the state
prison north
Decision: BY the Governor. The prisoner has
now served more than eleven years OF his
terms of sentence. The warden reports that
This conduct for the last six and half years
has been good, but prior TO that was very
bad" In August last the prison physician re-
ported follows: civilian Bridges, in
. mate OF the Indiana state prison north, has
nQl N . nv m haa N nd f.
ment since my appointment 70 office. He has
very bad prO'apsus of the bowels, the rectum
extending six TO eight inches beyond the anus
whenever ne strains hard. For months he
has been unable TO have passage without
the use Of an injection by the
rectum. There is a constant Inflammation of
the catarrhal form in the lower bowel, caus-
ing him 10 pass blood and water, which in
Illumination from slight prOvOcatiOn extends
10 the Intestines above. He suffers from in
digestion all the time, and his bowels and
liver are torpid. This, which is his greatest
trouble. fmpairs general nutrition, leaving
him in n weakened. debilItated condition and
liable to contract other diseases and little able
TO Withstand them. He suffers also from neu-
ralgia of the left side and frequent palpita-
lions of the heart, caused doubtless by his
enfeebled health, there being no organic dis
ease OF the heart or lungs az present. He has
frequent attacks of bronchitis, which is now
chronic and is quite anaemic, that is, his
blood Is Impoverished by the oss OF red cor
psscles. The Hon. George II. Chapman writes:
"About the 5th day of June, 1867, one William
Bridges alias HOosier Bill, was tried before
me, as Judge Of the criminal court of Marion
county, on a charge of robbery, and sentenced
to IA years imprisonment. At the sarle time
ne plead guilty to charge of
sault and battery with intent to kill
both offences growing out of the
same transaction-and a like sentence was
imposed TO parallel with the sentence in
the robbery case. A letter Is now shown me
dated August 2, 1877, from the then physician
of the prison in regard 10 said Bridges health
I am also informed that his conduct has been
such during a number Of years past that,
under the rules OF the prison, so much of d.
mtnutiOu Of sentence has been worked that
he has now but a year to serVe-or less. If
this information is correct, and II his hea tn Is
now similar to what il was when tile letter re-
ferred to written, have no hesitation in
recommending the interposition of executive
clemency 20 relieve him from the resi-
due OF his term of service. The
present judge aud prosecuting attorney
of the court join in the recOmme ndation be-
cause OF the prisoners reported bad health.
Two of the county commissioners, the present
sheriff, treasurer, and auditor of Marion coun-
ty, the gentleman who was sheriff In 1857 and
the present and former chief of police of In
dianapolis request pardon. The pardon Is
granted. j ID. w.