New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-26
IrCIUS ". POND PARDONED.
A CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM THE GOVERNOR OF
MASSACHUSETTS,

A CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM THE OoNEiNOh VI
MASSACHUSETTS.
fry TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
Roerov Dec. 25.-TO one inmate of the
Ns,cbusetts state Pris)n at Concord Christmas was
ov of upreme happiness just before the chapel eIer-
sses Warden Earle sent for Lucus W. Pond, OF fWorces
ter When the prisoner reached the guard room the
warden gave him document bearing the seal OF the
Commonwealth and the signature OF the Governor
which proclaimed him free The duty was
douby grateful one Warden Earle iOr Pond, at the
time of his arrest, was fellow-townsmen and ac-
Guaintance in Worcester. The favored man was
quite overcome with JOY. Waiting to receive ana
cOnOuct him homo were ex-MayOr Pratt,
and one or two other gentlemen from Worcester.
Ponds prison garb was soon eXcganged Tor cluzens
clothing and receiving the congratulations of the prison
officers aud thanking the warden tor his Just and impair
tal treatment while in prison, he left the institution Ill
company with his friends and took the noon train for
Aver Junction, whence he reached worcester Dy Wa" OF
the Worcester aud Nashua road.
Lucius w. Pond was sentenced in January,
1876 fifteen years ID the Massachusetts state Prison
forgery BY mis- good behavior he had cnt down MS
term to twelve years. Thirty ago he was doing
snail business in Worcester mechanic About that
time he borrowed some money and enlarged his busi-
ness but in 1884 his works destroyed by hre ana
Of the $4,000 insurance he held lie obtained less
than 81 900, because some of the companies were
not good Being man Of pluck ana tDOrongh
mechanic Nr Pond began business again. ana with some
Ing business. He was highly respected in Worcester,
and held many positions Of trust He assisted many peO
pie in their business and his money transactions were
large but they were Away the most honorable kind
except those which led 10 his imprisonment The an
nouucemcnt Of his crime shocked the community and
FOR n time the public feeling very high During the
panic of 1873 and The hard times that followed he had
suffered some heavy losses but none of them
were due 10 speculation. lie led into the com
mission OF forgery money to sustain hs busi-
meas and to Keep NJ an Industry IN which many
workucu were employed. When he was sentenced
Chief Justice Brigham 80 impressed with Inc case
that he said he divorce the man from MS crime
aud punish the offence with httr regard 10 he chaidc-
Ter OF the man. Early during The present month com
mittrc OF prominent cit zens OF worcester
visited Governor Long and urged that Mr.;
Pond pardoued. This committee showed thai out OF
lS7 creditors las mad signed the petition Tor the release
Mr. Pond Two others had withdrawn all Obj acohs TO
tie petition but hid signed it, O1ly seven credit
ors GeDresenting per cent OF Mr.. Ponds indebted
ncs) refused to ig the petition, but was not u-
derstOOd that any Of them strongly opposed his beluG
hardened Of the other creditors eight not VlnE,
sixteen cannot be found and six are banks
or corporations having no authority 10
sign The committee did not seek 10
belittle Mr. Ponds crime but stated thai all classes
people in Worcester of the opinion that hc should
be released. Cemency asked for the old man be
cause he was once respected and had done good
people Of Worcester had forgiven MIN and believed ho
had suffered enough punishment one OF the creditors,
who S23 900 by the fOrgcre5, urged his lmmc
reease although bo does not expect ever 10 re-
cover the money lost. 1t also urged that the law
bad Indicated ana Mr.. POND could not be better
f,1 a hV al ~ tr i'm IA a lit(Uf