Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-04-19
PARDON OF GEORGE w. WEIR.
Recommended by P6nitentiary Managers.
HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE PRISON.
Columbus Journal, April Il.

Columbus Journal, April T.
George Weir, convicted of murder in
the second degree at the fall term, 1881,
of the Common Pleas Court of Belmont
county, and sentenced to life imprison-
ment in the penitentiary, was given an
unconditional pardon yesterday. The
Governors reasons for the pardon are as
follows: ''The board Of managers of the
penltentiary having submitted to me
resolution recommending the pardon of
d" George Weir, find upon examination
"of the petitions, recommendations, and
statements submitted to me in behalf
of the pardon of said Weir that the
facts set forth by the board of MANI
"gers in their resolution are fully sus-
"tained and justified, and believe the re-
commentators of said board of man.
Layers should be complied with on my
"part."
The action of the board of managers
was taken in view of the youth of Weir
at the time of his crime, as well as his
miSapprehension of the plea made at his
trial, together with his excellent record
while confined in prison, and believing
that no violence would be done to the
law or society by his release.
Weir was employed in the librarians
office, and was assistant to the instructor
-Of the night school He is q years of
age, intelligent and capable, and has a
promising future before him. He was
Overjoyed at the news of his pardon and
gave his friends assurance of his deter
minatiOn to prove his manhood. Within
three-quarters of an hour after receiving
the news he was free man, the prepar-
atiOns for his departure being made with
remarkable dispatch. He took with him
the most hearty good will of all the Off
cials of the prison, who hold him in high
esteem.
A history of Weir's case will be found
interesting at this time.
George Weir was a boy under age at
the time of the commission of the crime
for which he was imprisoned. He had
grown up at st. Clairsville without any
restraint, his mother being dead and his
father an old and feeble man. George
fell into bad company, and some time
before the commission of the crime be-
came the associate of Sterling Riggs, a
man upward of 40 years of age, in many
respects a bad man, vicious in his diSpo-
sitiOn. Riggs and Weir and one or two
other companions were implicated in a
number of petty crimes. Riggs was sus-
pected of stealing $500 from bureau in
a saloon keepers house, but for time
got out of the way. He afterward made
peace with the officers, and turned States
evidence, duplicating Weir and one or
two other young men. This produced
the worst of feeling between Weir and
Riggs.
On Christmas morning, 1880, shortly
after the events above narrated, Weir
was about the town with his companions
in good humor, in and out at saloons,
and finally he and his companions went
to the Mayors Office to hear trial pro-
crossing there. They were turned out,
and went down to the street in the crowd.
While Weir and his companions were 10
c0sely talking, Riggs entered the crowd
and stopped within an arms length of
Weir. When Weir's attention was call
ed to Riggs presence, he turned and met
him face to face. Riggs said nothing,
and Weir made single remark, "Sterl,
watch me; watch me when the trial
then Immediately afterward he
drew a revolver and shot Riggs, firing
three times. Riggs crossed the street
and died almost immediately.
The jury which tried Weir disagreed,
but about that time brother of George
Weir, in fit of passion, struck or push
ed his old father, who fell against piece
Of furniture, fracturing his skull, from
the effects of which he died This ere
ated a bitter feeling against the Weir
brothers, and when Georges case came
up again in court at the next term his
attorney, Hon. L. Danford, advised him
to enter plea of guilty of murder in the
second degree, and he was sentenced to
life confinement in the penitentiary.
Mr. Danford admits in his statement
70 the Governor that he made the great
mistake of his professional life when he
induced Weir to enter plea of guilty to
he charge for which he was sentenced.
It had ever afterward been burden to
MS mind.