The Portland daily press., 1889-06-21
THEY LONG FOR THE HAuhTS OF MEN.
convIcts Plead for Release From
omaston's Walls OF stone.
The Governor and Council Spend a
Day In state Prison
And Listen to Numerous Applications
for Pardon.
Especial to the fress.l


RocKLAND, June 20-Gov. Burleigh with
Councillors Hatch, Lord, Bracket, Carr,
Allen, Little and Adjutant General Sprague
passed last night in this city driving to
Thomaston this forenoon to visit the prison.
Here they found Inspectors Dresser and
Clarry who were making their monthly in
spection. A tour was made of the various
departments and shops and everything found
in perfect order. The Governor and Council
then gave hearing to those who had state
ments to make, the neat prison chapel being
used for reception room.
William Cockrane and his brother Isaac of
Caribou were sentenced. March 10, 1885 for
burglary. the former for eight and one-half
and the latter for five years. The sentence
of Isaac soon expires and both appeared to
plead for the elder brothers pardon so they
could go back to Aroostook and cultivate the
farm they own there.
John w. Lawrence of Newport was SEN
fenced September 10, 1870. by Judge Kent to
Imprisonment for life for killing his mistress.
Lawrence is fine looking man and has been
good convict. He testified that he was
drunk when he shot the woman. He was
sentenced to be hanged, but this was after
ward commuted to life Imprisonment Law
renee was gallant soldier and has laid up
about $1,000. He says If pardoned he would
be good citizen. He is in charge Of the
laundry department Of the prison and lives
in little hut near the wash house He was
60 years old last February. His parting re-
mark was, that If the State owes favor to
anyone it certainly is to the old soldier.
Eldridge Stone OF St George wanted his
sentence OF i've years commuted. He bur-
glarized a Rockland store and stole silk
excessive, and presented a petition for COM
mutation signed by prominent citizens of
the town.
Charles II. keenan,, the prison tailor, serv-
ing life sentence for killing man in Port
land, wanted to get out. He is now serving
the sd year of his sentence. He killed the
man in drunken fight. He is AZ years old,
served in the navy and came out of a rebel
prison to enter the State prison. He has a
pension of SS dollars month; has saved
$500 and wants to 60 into the tailor business
He has been good convict, and has saved
the State great deal Of money.
Walter Eaton of Bucksport, sentenced for
ten years In 1887 for obstructing railroad
wanted to so home to take care Of his moth
er. he is 10 years old and not bad looking
boy. He is good mechanic and works in
the furniture shop.
Lewis Hopkins of Albion, sentenced in
January. 1884, Tor seven years for man
slaughter, an old IRdian being the victim,
wanted to get out this summer. His term
expires in December and he wanted to get
out. How to get clothes and the like and
the prospect for man in Maine in the mid
die of the winter without employment under
the new tramp law, is not cheering. Hop
kins says he wants to go to Fort Payne Ala
bama, where things are booming. He was
member of the Company II, Fourth Maine.
Hopkins did gallant service at the time
of the recent fire In the prison and saved
considerable property He has two children
whom he has helped to support since in pris-
on by his pension money.
Jeremiah MeGillicuddy of Lewiston, aged
Is years, stated that he was sentenced for
five years for manslaughter and had
been In nine months. He was
sick and wanted to spend the
few days left him on earth with his family.
He is an inoffensive appearing old man and
pleaded his case earnestly. He has II child
rem now living. having brought them over
to this country in three lots.
The Governor and Council dined with
Warden Allen, and then took the noon train
for Augusta. They stopped at Waldoboro
for few minutes to inspect the quarry from
which the stone is being quarried for the
addition to the State House. The stone is a
handsome fine grained rock. closely resemb-
ling the Hall0well stone. Thirty men are
employed at cutting.