Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-05-25
MANSFIELD PARDONED.
A Sacramento Bigamist Released from
Prison-His Statement of the Case


In June, 1884, III. II. Mansfield was con-
Victed in the Superior Court of this county
of the crime of bigamy, and sentenced to a
term of three years imprisonment in the
branch prison st Folsom Yesterday the
Governor committed his sentence to two
years which is virtually pardon, as il
WORKS his immediate release. His COM
mutation was recommended by the Board
OF Prison Directors, on the ground that as
an engineer he had labored with great zeal
and fidelity for the interest of the State,
and that he had prior to his conviction been
a haTd-working and industrious citizen.
Among the papers in the case on file in the
Governors office is the following
To The Honorable Board Of State Prison Directors
-SlRs / would most respectfully represent that
al the June term, A. d. 1854, of the Superior
court OF sacramento county, was convicted of
the crime OF bigamy and sentenced TO the Fol
som State Prison for the term of three wears
Where nave been ever since, and now am CON
fined under the following circumstances To Wit.
On or about the 10th of September 1880 | and
my former wife mutually agreed to separate
ana never again recognize each other as man
ana wife, IN the city and county of San Fran
CISCO On or about the 10th of January 1881 |
was engaged by Messrs Cooke Il Son. OF Sacra-
mento, to put up machinery for them | re-
manned III their employ till November. 1888. |
AtiNA anu LAitli4tu Il Ailss GreGulaN on ahOut
the LIST day of December, 1883, fully believing |
was justified in so doing, and unconscious of
committing crime. During the said month |
contracted said second marriage with the said
MlsS Greenlaw, my first wife came to Sacra-
mento in company with Mr.. SeatOn, an attor-
ney at-laW, OF san Francisco and he rs her ar
toFney, demanded of me the sum of $500, as a
consideration from prosecution for bigamv |
informed them-the said nrst wife and said at
IOrney-that was unable to pay such u sum
Inc attorney informed me that he was at con
. nfafrNrsN aa--g
my SAID brst wife, and that if ! would give him
100 and sign an agreement to pay considera.
Ton OF 500 more, he would insure me from
further prosecution by nv first wife The
Messrs. Cooke IL Son upon application maid me
SoJ, which paid said Seaton as a part eOnsid-
Grafton Tor immunity from prosecution for hig-
amy, ana signed an agreement to pay the
luther sum of $500 more on or about the list dav
of January, 1851
was unable to meet the payment of said CON
sldeFatlon OF SUI SO on the Sd day of January
lSoI' wrote the said attorney Seaton that l
could not pay TO which he answered that il was
wait.
On or about the 23d of January nv said first
wife arrived in Sacramento, and called upon
ana demanded of me some part of the 500. and
saying that II / did not pay she would have me
arrested.
l informed her that had no part of said 5000
she then procured a warrant for my arrest
charging me with bigamy. in the Police Court
waived examination. l entered a plea of
10 term of three years, under the assurance
both from City Attorney Anderson and the then
District Attorney Carey that / would get but one
year as agreed with Judge Armstrong
therefore, in view of the circumstances-tha
OF my previous industrious habits and good
chaTaeter-tbat the sentence is excessive and |
have suffered enough that of my exemplary
conduct and faithful labor in the interest Of
prison discipline, | would most earnestly and
sincerely pray your honorable body to recon-
mend me TO his EXceliency, George Stoneman.
Governor of California, for pardon. TO tbe end
that may be restored to my second wife whom
| am DESTROYS of taking good care of, as my first
VIE mas since my Incarceration procured a Iii
I0rce, on the ground that l was a convicted
ielon lost TO society, my friends and an honest
and industrious life, which hitherto | had glo-
ned IN. II. II. MANSFIELD
Folsom Prison