The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-01-23
MRS. GARRETT.

The State Board of Pardons commenced
their January session at 2 o'clock thi,
afternoon, there being a very large crowd
in attendance. The meeting was to have
taken place this morning, but on account
Of the nou.arrival Of two members II was
postponed until this afternoon. AT III,
time mentioned all members were present
As soon cs President Hageity called tht
board 10 order, Attorney Z. g. Johnson, Of
Elyria, began presenting the case foi
Mrs. Garrett He traced the history Of
the circumstances surrounding the crime
this occupying some time.
]. II. Dickson, attorney for Mrs. Garrett
followed Mr.. johnson and made a state
ment which although brief, covered all
the material points in the case The claim
was made that Mrs. Garrett is not guilty
but is the victim of circumstance. Mrs
Wright, Of Cincinnati, a lady interested H.
he case, pleaded for mercy to the con
uemned woman and produced pelitions
from womens temperance societies and
the woman suffrage associations, besides
petitions from other organizations, they
all embracing thousands OF names. Rel,-
resentative Braman, Of Lorain county,
spoke of the public sentiment in Loraih
county and also that in Medina, saying
that everybody wished a communication Of
sentence.
Messrs johnson and Dickson also pre-
sented petitions for commutation Of sen.
tence, these being signed by the jury
which convicted her, and nearly all the
prominent citizens Of Medina. Other PEE
titions from various parts OF the state were
also presented.
After this hearing President Hagert,
announced that the board would consider
the case In executive session tonight.
The following letter was submitted to
the board
MEDINA, O, Nov. 20, 1888.
Gov. ]. B. FORAKER, Columbus, O.:
DEAR SIR-"I have been requested to
write you concerning the commuta,ion of
the sentence Of Mrs Mary L. Garrett, who
was convicted OF the murder oil Anna Gar
rtit at the September term of the Medina
Coun Common Pleas Court, and senten-
ced TO be executed January oath, 1889.
am in favor of the commutat!on OF the
sentenceito imprisonment for life for the
reason that in the case Of Mrs. Garrett the
proof was so clear and convincing and the
murder that she committed so brutal and
horrible that am Of the opinion that Il
will never be possible 10 elect a governor
OF Ohio who with The record Of that case
before him would grant her a pardon. l
therefore recommend the Communication OF
the sentence TO imprisonment for life,
believing as ! do, that in her case impris.
onment for life will be the greater penalty.
No person In Ohio ever deserved hanging
more than this female nend. But hang.
Ing In her case Is too easy, too light. Let
her life In prison be long, without hope of
pardon, and with the memory OF the mur-
der OF her two step-daughters ever before
ber, and something like an adequate pun.
ishment will be:inhicted in her case.
g. w. LEWIS
Judge Second Subdivision, Fourth Judi.
cial District, Ohio.
The following is the report Of the board
There was testimony to show that the
imbeciles were Of filthy habits, and not of
kind dispositions, and in many ways very |
offensive, but 1t does not appear that their |
Mrs. Garrett, had ever shown |
my particular unklndnes toward them.
The FIRE undoubtedly originated in the
DOM occupied by the imbecilcs and there
5 no doubt that the one door leading to
hat rom was bolted on the inside. There
Tas one window in he room, which seems
have been closed and the blind drawn