The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-05
ONE OF TIE "IEN0CENFSS.
"cFub-Foot" Mckee Shows His Ap-
probation of a Pardon.
he is in the Tolls Again for Highway
Robbery-why the Governor
Was Merciful.

After many weeks of diligent detective
work, the San Francisco police have sue
ceeded in arresting an ex-convict who is
supposed to have been assisting in the
numerous late highway robberies in the
metropolis. He has been identified by
parties who were "stood up"
Policeman Anderson effected the cap
ture Monday evening on Brannan street,
near First. His attention was called to
two men on the latter street, engaged in
wordy wrangle. Approaching the pair
the policeman discovered one of them TO
be David Mckee, alias "Club-foot' Nc
Kee, for whom the police have been look
ing for the past few days. Mckee was
Immediately placed under arrest and con-
veyed to the central station, where his
name was entered on the small book.
Yesterday he was identified as one OF the
trio VINO held up Michael Sullivan, of 7G6
Brannan street, on Folsom street, be-
tween Third and Fourth, and charge
OF robbery was placed against his name
ON the prison register.
AN EXPERIENCED GARRoTER.
The crime for which Mckee is held was
committed on the night OF January 18Th.
Sullivan was on his way home about
passed the corner of First street when he
heard quick footsteps behind him, and
the next moment an arm was thrown
around his neck rom behind. Then a wet
handkerchief was thrust in his mouth and
he was brusquely told that all resistance
was useless. There were three robbers,
one OF whom thrust him against a fence
and held up his arms, another stood off
some distance, while the third searched
his pockets, getting 81.
HOW HE GOT OUT.
Mckee is no other than the individual
towards whom Governor Waterman eX-
ercised executive power by committing
his sentence from life imprisonment to
fifteen Years. He was convicted in San
Francisco in October, $780, OF robbery
and prior petit larceny, and was ordered
TO prison for life. Last September Gov
ernor Waterman committed his sentence,
ana he was liberated from San Quentin
about two weeks ago. In granting the
communication the Governor made this eX-
planation:
Mckee was convicted, together with
Patrick McGettigan and John Johnson,
Of robbing one John Svenson OF the sum
of five dollars. Johnson has since died
in prison, but before his death ne is al
legged to have confessed that Mckee was
innocent. McGettigan, whose sentence
was c0inmuted by Governor Stoneman 10
eight years, and was discharged Deem
Der 81, 1856, has made affidavit that Nc
kee had been in company with himself
and johnson, but was not present when
the robbery was committed. Mckee's
petition is signed by nine of the jurors,
by j. II. %. Wilson, the Prosecuting At
torney; by ID. :. Smoot, eX-District At
torney, and by many leading citizens OF
San Francisco. Owing to the fact that
Mckee was guilty Of prior petit larceny,
am not inclined to grant the pardon for
which he prays, but l consider the ends
of justice VIII be fully subserved by
shorter term of imprisonment, and there
fore commute his sentence to fifteen years.
THE PETITION.
The influence brought to bear upon
Governor Waterman was a petition
signed by number OF San Francisco
people asking III the interest Of Justice
and humanity that Mckee be parctoned.
austin Hills. Wolf Falk, b. Newman, j.
/. Marked, Il. Shurr, Martin w. Lamb,
John Oliver and Charles homfieid, eight
OF the jurors who tried and convicted
Mckee, were also signers OF the petition,
which was brought 20 the Governor by T..
eastman, who was also armed with the
following letter of Introduction:
SAN FRANCISCO, Nay z, 1850.
z, ". -Mdstin, SacTriHtea3o-FRIESD MAS
LIN: The bearer Of this, MIR. T. eastman
visits your city for the purpose Of procuring u
pardon Tor Mckee, whom am confident was
innocent Of the crime for which he has been
IL
can and viii facilitate the matter you viii
confera favor which viii ever be pleased to
reciprocate. With good wishes, l am, sin
cerely yours, SrLAS \. STONE.
Warden John McComb submitted his
report, showing that Mckee's conduct in
prison was good, and that he had never
been reported for punishment.
Atiid2Vits We're also produced, signed
by Pat McGettigan and James Buchanan
Tine former was convicted with Mex ee,
and made q statement in prison when
dying to the effect that Mckee was no5
present when the crime, for which he
was serving time, was committed.
buchanan swore that he had heard John
Johnson, another convict. who was
sentenced at the same time judgment was
pronounced ON McGettigan and Mckee,
frequently say that Mckee was not guilty
of the offense.
These were the reasons why the COM
mutation was granted.
NEVER TAKE THE HORSESHOE, ETC.
A