Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-04-21
4 Sad Case.

A few days ago, while reporter was
copying some papers i'll the private Office of
the Governor, a lady, dressed in deep
mourning, came in, introduced herself, and
commenced pleading for the pardon of her
son, who is now serving ont sentence in
the State Prison at San Quentin. She had
q number of petitions from Judges, lawyers
and influential citizens, stating that in their
judgment the young man was convicted of
Il crime that he never committed. 1t ap-
pears, according to the statements made
that he was engaged i'll working at mis-
trade, that OF brick mason, in the city of
Los Angeles, and that some one sold him
some stolen jewelry. The party selling it
said he would redeem it within a certain
time, and would pay interest on the loan.
The .iewelry was found upon the young
man, and he was tried and convicted on
circumstantial evidence. The matter has
been laid before the Board Of Prison Di-
rectorS, and they, it is understood, recon-
mend his pardon. The mother hearing
| this, came to Sacramento to see if she could
not hurry up matters and get his release.
When she was informed by the Governor
| that he could not hasten matters, she broke
| down completely, and her cries and sobs
were really heart-rending. After her de-
parture the req orter remarked TO Mr.. More
land, the Governors Private Secretary,
that it was a sad case. Sad case?''
replied Mr.. Moreland, THAT is simply
nothing in comparison to one which l
| will relate, and, by the way, you news
paper men are i'll a measure responsible for
its sad results. You know that if a par
don is issued from this office, no matter
how worthy, the newspapers Immediately
set up howl, say we are throwing open
the prison doors. doing a brokerage bust
ness in pardons, etc. Well this case is the
saddest that has ever come under my OBJ
servaton. About a year ago some parties
in San Francisco, l think there were four
or five Of them, forged some street war
rants. They were arrested, thrown into
prison, and man by the name of James
Dever was made the scape-goat of the entire
affair. He was unable, like the rest to get
BAIL so he laid in prison six months await
ing trial. When that came on, the rest all
swore against him, he was convicted, and
sentenced to two years in the House of Cor
rection. Dever had young wife and three
little children. His wife was very delicate
| and the family were entirely dependent
upon the husbands labor for support The
matter was brought before the Governor
was looked into but nothing done The
little woman with her sewing machine
and little ones. Finally the elder sickened
and died. In few weeks the second and
third were also taken from her. Oniyy
terday | heard that one day last week the
Door wife and an infant babe, only one day
old, were also laid away in the grave Her
death, it is said, was the direct result of
overwork" The following are few ex-
tracts from letter she wrote the Governor
one month ago to-day:
Most Honored Sir: / take the privilege of az.
dressing these few lines 10 YOU hoping and
trusting that you will not be offended at my
holiness Honored sir, you arc the only person
in the world that can relieve my broken heart
and give bread to my dear little boy who is only
four years old. l have worked and supported
him this last five months, but my health has
failed me. l have not 5 cents TO my
| name, as just paid the last cent I had in the
world for rent. HOnored sir, will ask you for
Gods sake and the poor little child yet unborn,
to sign my husbands pardon. | have suffered
so much that death would be blessing to me,
but / have to think of my poor little innocent
children ! have not relative in the world
but my husband and a poor old father, who has
six children to support. l have not money TO
pay my way to Sacramento, or | would go there
and supplcate in person, so that you could see
Cor yourself my condition and abject poverty
Ny husband has served quite a sentence al
ready. have buried my dear little son and
daughter and my poor aged mother while he
was confined i'll the county jail waiting bail,
which l could not get for six months after he
was arrested. You can imagine the terrible
position. have fought with poverty since the
9Th of February 1885. Most honored sir beg
of you not to refuse a poor, Sick miserable wife
and mother when it lies in your power to relieve
her. ] may breathe my last very soon, for /
have not nourishment to support my state of
health. Take pity Oh me, and God win bless
you and your family, and will never cease TO
pray for your family if by Gods mercy | he
spared TO my children. l remain your most
OF edlcnt servant, Mrs JAMES DENER.