The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-10-18
A CHILD'S PRAYER.
How IL Melted the Heart of NtissourPs Act
Ing Governor.

Governor Campbell has issued par
don to Eli Burnett, of Bates county,
Mo-, who was at the July term, 1882,
sentenced to thrco years in the Pcniten-
tiary for grand larceny. The pardon was
granted upon petition which sets out
that the crime was BurnCtt's first oiIensc,
and that the law having been sufficiently
vindicatcd by years imprisonment, if
given bis liberty he would lead an honest
life; and, further, he is the father of Il
little mothcrlcss, sickly girl, who is
thrown upon the world and who needs
fathers care and attention. Tho petit
ton is signed by the prosecuting wit
nessCs, prosecuting attorney, sheriff and
recorder OF the county, cX-Stato Sena-
tor Bradley and large number of prom
inent citizcns Of Butler county, among
whom AZ o bankers, attorneys, physicians,
merchants. ministers, farmers, and other
trades and professions.
The Governors order rccites as fol-
lows:
"Grantcd for the reasons givon in the
within application signed by the prose-
cutting attorney, prosecuting witnesses
and the officers Of tho county and leading
citizens, md especially upon thcapplicn-
ton and fearful supplication of his six
yenr-old mothcrlcss little girl"
The petition was presented by the sis
ter of the prisoner, who was accompa-
nicd by the little child. While tho Gov
crnor was reading tho petition the little
girl quietly approached him, 'and, at
tracting his attention, said, with stream
ing eyes and trembling lips:
please, sir, let my papa 60 home
with me-"
The Governor was greatly affected bv
the simple prayer of The little orphan, and
with difficulty controlled his feelings. It
was no put up job, no acting; simply tho
earnest pleading ,f a weak little Child
for her papa. Whatever he might do TO
others to her he was all in all; too young
to know Of crime, she only knew hcr
father had been taken from her and was
in prison, and she wanted him.
The Governor, however, did not allow
his feelings to sway him in this matter,
and declined to act in the case until he
had duly considered it, but kindly told
the little one he would sec what he could
10 for her by morning. When she left
she took his hand and said:
"Plcase let me have my papa"
In the morning the sister and child
again called on the Governor, and the
child renewed her plcadings for her
fathers rciense. The Governor, not
having decided on granting the pardon,
told the little ono she could go home
and he would send word what he would
10, but she rcplicd:
81 cannot go home again without my
papa"
Following this they took their depar-
turc and won't out to tie pcnitcntinry,
About an hour later the Governor came
to the conclusion that the circumstances
Of the case, the strong recommendation
and particularly the need Of the child
for q protector, warranted executive
cicmcncy, and ordered the pardon. I'm
mcdlatcl y upon its being signed he dis
patched messenger to the prison with
it, so the little ones heart might be
made glad and her burden of sorrow rc-
moved rs soon as possible.
The sister of the prisoner says never q
day has passed since The imprisonment
of Burnett that the little girl has not
wcpt for her loss and frcttcd for his re-
turn.-Jc0trSOn city Lctcr.