The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-29
ROWAND'S PARDON DENIED
The State Board of Pardons Refuses
to Endorse the Governors
Recommendation.
The Many Strong Influences that
Have Been Introduced in
Rowands Favor.
Personal Letters from Secretary Blaine
and Sir John A. Macdonald--The
Other Side of the Case.

Other Side of the Case.
The state board of pardons, consisting Of
Attorney General Haskell, Secretary of
State Eotwitt and Auditor Kenney. yester-
day returned without recommendation the
governors pardon Of John A. Rowand. The
communication consisted of sixteen pages
of type written manuscript, reviewing the
details of the crime and evidence submitted
in the prisoners petition for pardon. It
concludes with the following words: "By
reason of the interest manifested in this
case we have felt called upon to quote
largely from the evidence aud make more
extended inquiry than we otherwise would,
but we do not feel that we would be justi-
led. even considering at it's best ali that
i.as been presented in favor of the petit
toner. i'll approving the action of the gov
ernor, hence in return the petitions and
notification Of pardon without approval"
The prominence of Rowand's family in
Quebec and the efforts made in his behalf
by distinguished officials combine to lend
unusual interest to his case. The circum-
stances of his crime are such as to preclude
any great amount of sympathy which might
otherwise be extended. Rowand. who is
still a young man, comes from an excellent
family. His father, DIR. Rowand, was a
distinguished physician, and his mother
and sisters move in the best society of the
province. The prisoner is a we'll educated
and fine looking man. His passionate ma
ture and love of drink brought him into his
present condition. He came to Montana
twelve years ago and remained for time in
worked in various capacities, and at the
time of the murder was employed
as laborer In the Amy & Silver
smith mine, of which Marshal George
w. Irwin was manager at that time.
The murder was committed in April, 1888,
Rowand went down to the saloon OF Peter
Martin and had some difficulty with the
proprietor over his refusal to settle for
drinks. few hard words were exchanged
and Rowand left the place. He found a
few friends outside ond told them he was
going back to the saloon after Martin. He
secured revolver and went back to the
place. At that time he was quite, into1i-
Gated. After returning to the saloon he
renewed the quarrel with Martin, who
ordered him out. Rowand went to the
door and after he was outside turned and
fred at Martin. The bullet struck Joseph
Bussiere. who was standing near by. Bus
siere was hit in the groin and died shortly
grand jury and tried in the district court
the same month. A very ingenious de-
tense was made for Rowand,
who alleged that the revolver
went off accidentally as he slipped on the
doorstep. The trial resulted in his conviction
him of murder in the second degree and he
was sentenced to Deer Lodge for life. Ar
application for a new trial was denied anC
the supreme court, through Judge McCon'
nell, denied an appeal.
Rowand's education and ability made
him a valuable man in the penitentiary. HI
\ <~$s~ Obj
of the books, which have been cared for il
the most business-like manner. Wardel
Tom McIague, who was in town yesterday
says that Rowand has been model pris
oner. He has been given all the libertie
consistent with his position. He was hard
fore he began efforts to secure
pardon. The first application
made to Gov. Leslie was refused
The president of the United States was ther
appealed to, but he declined to interfere, as
the case appeared to be beyond the juris
diction of the United States. When Gov
White came into Office he received an ap
plication for Rowand's pardon, but soor
after Montana became state and the CASE
went before Gov. Toole. The governor rec.
commended the pardon in February, anc
the matter has been under the consideration
of the board since that time. Rowand's
friends have been very active In securing al
possible influences to bring about his par
don. They first procured statements from
eleven of the twelve jurors asking for hi
pardon, and stating that if certain things
had come to their knowledge before the
conviction they would have acquitted the
prisoner. They say. however. that they
at the trial. What they. heard afterward
was denial of the stories that
Rowand's brutality had caused his
wife's death. Their statements as they
appear in the communication returned tt
the governor yesterday indicate that theil
signatures to the petition were caused very
largely by sympathy. Through the efforts
of Rowand's mother and his Canadian
friends the case has taken on an interna
tional form. Mrs. Rowand secured the as
sstance of Sir John A. Mcdonald, who il
an old friend of the family. Sir John hal
government at Washington, asking tina
the pardon be granted. he als'
broug ht the matter to the attention of ST
Julian Pauncefote, the British minister
who made a personal effort in Rowand's be
half. Secretary Blaine was finally appealed
to, and in answer he sent letter to tn
board of pardons, which was published OK
clusively by this paper a few weeks ago. |
was q personal request from the stat
department as an act of internatlona
courtesy. Rowand expected that this un
usual influence from the national govern
meuG WOulu secure LIS parOOll, Dut tulS. l
seems, was outweighed by the circum
stances of his crime. Among many othe
letters In his favor was one from Governo
White, in which he stated that he woult
recommend the pardon if he were governor
There is an interesting letter from Mrs
Bussiere, wife of the dead man. asking TO
Rowand's release. She said that she de
sired his pardon because he had been suth
GENTLY punished. The prisoners mother
besides sending several personal letters
has been very active in her efforts for he
sons pardon, and her failure will brin,
her much sympathy. She went to Wash
ington and secured the interest of the high
est officials in the land. besides reaching al
other influences within the command o
herself and friends. For two daughter
have done likewise.
On the other hand vhcre has been sIron
pressure against the application from tn
citizens and newspapers o. Butte. There
almost n unanimity of opinion i'll Butt
that the pardon should not be granted. Tn
is based on the knowledge Of Rowanu
crime and the circumstances connecte
with 1t. AS q friend of Eowand's remarke
yesterday to an INDEPENDENT reporter: ..
was a bad murder and as far as the cline
concerned there are no mitigating circun
stances" The newspapers of Butte an
Anaconda have opposed granting the pa