St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-04-11
TO SAVE HIS NECK.
Friends of Clifton Holden Appeal
to Gov. Merriam for a Commu-
tatiOn

tation.
An argument was made before Gov.
Merriam yesterday upon which the life
or death of a human being possibly de-
ponds. The case was that of Clifton
Holden, sentenced to be hanged for the
crime of murder, the details of which
have been repeatedly published. The
case has been through all the courts,
and the governor really constitutes the
tribunal of last resort. If he fails here
his doom is sealed. His attorney, c. c..
Wilson, of Rochester, appeared in his
behalf and asked for a Communication of
the death sentence to imprisonment for
life. The grounds of his application
sum up substantially as follows: That
Holden was convicted solely upon cir
cumstantial evidence. Upon a careful
examination of the entire testimony
given at the trial, it cannot be said there
is absolute certainty of his guilt. The
circumstances may all be true, and yet
another have shot Dodge. The fact
that several reputable citizens passed
along Bridge street late Oh the
night of the homicide and near the spot
where the body was found and saw
nothing of it gives emphasis to this I'M
Il
night. Holden had before this put out
his team and gone to bed at the hotel,
vet they saw no dead body or dog. But
people who passed along the same track
later that night saw Dodge's body and
were assailed by his dog. Six OF the
jurymen who sat in this case sent word
to counsel that they desired no sum-
ming up of the evidence. For that rea-
son none was made. They were de-
prived of the aid of careful and skill
full analysis OF the facts and comparison
of statements of the numerous wit
nesses. Defendant might reasonably
expect that the men who thus evaded
hearing his counsel would not find him
guilty of murder. yet these same jurors
Joined in the verdict of guilty, and all
recommended the prisoner to mercy.
Holden is, apparently, a timd, weak
man, never before charged with any
crime. He maintained good character
in Olmsted county, and the public safety
does not require that he should suffer
death.
If his punishment be committed to
Imprisonment for life, and subsequent
DEVELOPMENTS should show him inno-
cent, he would not be beyond the
reach of restoration of friends and citi-
zenship.
An affidavit was also presented made
by Willis Geraldson, of Redwood Falls,
which had bearing upon the case. 1t
related to the finding of the body. He
claims to have gone over the spot where
the body was found in the morning, late
the night before. after the murder was
alleged to have been committed. and
that no body was in that locality. The
object of the affidavit is to establish the
fact that the murder was committed
elsewhere and the body brought to
where it was found.
County Attorney Madigan, of Red
wood Falls. appeared for the state and
claimed that the whole thing was a
farce, that Holden was justly tried and
Justly found guilty. and should hang in
justice to the community and civiliza-
ton generally.
The governor will consult Gen.
Childs, who prosecuted the case, and
Judge Webber, who presided, and take
all the time needed before rendering
his decision.