River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-04-27
SENTENCED TO DEATH.
And PardOned the same Day. such
Were the Conditions of the Trial OF
the Surderers OF Jesse James.

And PardOned the same Day. such
Were the Conditions OF the Trial OF
the Surderers OF Jesse James.
ST. LOUIS, April 18.-As announced
yesterday, the grand jury has found
true bill against Bob and Charley Ford
for murder, and at noon to-day they
were taken into the circuit court room
by Sheriff Thomas, and after the in
dictment had been read sentence was
pas ed. The court room was crowded,
although quiet and order prevailed,
The BOYS were very respectfully clad,
and were very cool and selfposessed.
The indictment, which was in the usual
form, was read to them by the county
attorney, o. NJ. Spencer, who read 1t to
Robert first, after which tie attorney
asked him what plea he made, when
he replied promptly and firmly,
Guilty" He then took his scat. The
indictment Of Charles Ford, as alder
and abettor, was read to him, and in n
firm and even tone Charles replied
Guilty" also to the charge OF murder
in the first degree. The judge then af-
ter few minutes meditation said I'M
der the circumstances there was but
one thing he could do, and that was to
pronounce sentence upon them, ard it
would remain for others to say wheth-
er the sentence should be finally car
ried out. He then asked Robert Ford
to stand up. The latter rose prompt
ly, and was asked if he had anything to
say why the sentence of the court
should not be passed ufon him. He
replied in his usual firm tone, "Noth-
ing" and Judge Shannon in substance
said Robert Ford, you have pleaded
guilty before me to the crime of MUIR
der in the first degree. and it becomes
my duty to pass
THE SENTENCE OF DEATH
upon YOU. Is is therefore the sentence
of this court that you be taken back to
the jail, and on the 10Th day Of May be
taken to some convenient place, and
there hanged by the neck until you are
dead. R,bert then took his
seat, and the judge ordered
Charles TO stand up and asked him
if he had anything to say why sentence
of death should not be passed upon
him. Charles replied firmly, moth
ing" and the Judge passed the same
sentence upon him as was passed upon
Robert After this there was no other
action taken, and the boys were re-
manded to Jail. The general under
standing is that this action was taken
in accordance with the Governors
views in the premises, and that par
don of both of them will reach here in
the course of day or two. The Gov
ernor, it is understood, was opposed to
trying them, because he considered
that they had done the Sta e great
service and are entitled TO pardon at
once. The people can rest assured
that the BOYS will be free in very
short time, and thus will end the great
sensation.
THE FATHER Of THE FoRDs,
very espectable-looking old gentle
man, occupied a seat beside them while
in court. Mai James Warner, ofKan-
sas City, was here acting as their at
torney, in cooperation with MessIs.
Doniphan & Reed. Marshal Craig, Of
Kansas City, was also in court. Capt
Ford, brother of the boys, was present
also.
The pardon granted by Gov. pritten-
den arrived tonight. 1t is expected
that on receipt of the pardon the boys
will be quietly removed to Kansas
City, where they have friends. Fears
are entertained that to keep the Fords
in this city will be attended with ex-
IRENE danger Mrs. Jesse James to-
day, by order of the Probate Court,
received her husbands arms from ex-
Marshall Craig, and returned with
them to Kansas City tonight.
THE PARDON.
JEFFERSON CRY, April Is. The Gov
ernor this afternoon. upon receipt of
the news from st. Joseph that the Ford
boys had been indicted and arraigned
for the killing of Jesse James, and had
been sentenced by the Court, granted
them a full and unconditional pardon,
A special messenger was dispatched
with it to St. Joseph, and the boys will
be released from Jail upon his arrival.
The Governor says the pardon does
not effect any other crimes which the
boys may be guilty, but it is only for
the killing of Jesse James.