The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1891-04-09
ANOTHER DELAY.

Clifton Holden's Execution Stayed for
Thirty Days by Governor Merriam. -
The Governor . Third Time Signs his
Death Warrant, for May 8th-
1t is the unexpected that happens. A
few hours before the time set for the
execution of Clifton Holden last
Thursday evening, telegram was re-
ceived by Sheriff Mead, instructing
him to take Holden back to New Ulm,
Gov. Merriam having granted him
stay of thirty days. The circumstance
es leading to this unexpected action
were thus stated in the Globe:
Yesterday afternoon, shortly after
4, three gentlemen visited the execu
tive room at the capitol and stated to
Private Secretary Bixby that they de-
sired to see Gov. Merriam instantly.
The visitors were Hon. Albert Scheffer,
Hon. A. T. Stebbins of Rochester and
Judge Baldwin of Redwood Falls.
They were informed by the governors
secretary that his excellency was very
busily engaged with the question of
the Minneapolis charter bill, but that
if they would wait for time the gov
ernor would be at liberty. The answer
given by one of the part y was that all
questions of charters and politics must
give away, for their mission was one
of life or death, and that justice de-
manded an immediate audience.
In few minutes the three gentle
men were ushered into the private
room of the governor, and seated at
the very table where the death war
rant of Holden had been signed few
weeks ago. The governor was i'm
plored in the name of justice and mer-
cy to grant stay of execution to the
wretched man whose life was trembl-
ing in the balance, slowly but swiftly
descending weighted down by the out
ragged majesty Of the law, demanding
vindication in the name of the people.
The able advocates of Holden, in the
most solemn manner, reminded the
governor of the figure which surmount-
ed the dome of the capitol, with eyes
blindfolded and sword and scales in
hand. Justice demanded that while
there was a doubt, that the dread SEN
tence of the law should not be carried
out. The whole evidence in the case
was purely circumstantial and there
was doubt in the minds of many
persons as to Holden's guilt. On these
grounds Communication of the SEN
tence was asked for. Coy. Merriam
was very firm in his attitude, and init
mated that he saw no reason why the
law should not take it's course, but
while he would hold out no hope of a
Communication of the sentence, he would
so far grant the prayer of the petition
ers on Holden's behalf and grant a
stay of proceedings for thirty days, in
order to give the friends and attorneys
of Holden an opportunity to lay be-
fore the executive sufficient evidence
to furnish grounds for Communication
of the sentence of death to life i'm
prisonment. The pleaders of Holden's
life thanked his excellency for the stay
granted and withdrew, while a long
telegraphic dispatch was sent immedi-
ately by order of the governor to Sher-
if Mead at Redwood Falls, instructine
him that the execution was not to take
place as arranged.
Holden received the news at first al
most like one in dream, but soon be-
came profuse in thanking the sheriff
and his attendants, and for the first
time that day broke his voluntary fast
The sheriff told his prisoner to thanl
| Judge Baldwin, his attorney, and moi
the sheriff, who was simply carrying
out the laws.
Holden displayed very little of hi
former bravado Thursday, and the aw
full sentence impending probabl,
caused almost as keen mental anguish
as though it had actually been carried
out. The principal incidents of TIN
day were his interview with Rev. Cone
to whom he protested his innocence
and later an interview with Eugen'
Dodge, a brother of the murdered
man. Dodge asked several very search
ing questions, which Holden parriet
or denied, until the question was pu
to the latter, "Where is that revolver?
Holden hesitated and then answered
that it was in the bottom of the Min
nesota river, and admitted that b.
threw it there when he went back t.
Morton from Redwood Falls the morn
ing after the murder. Holden was tax
On back to New Ulm on the evenin,
train.
| When the governors action wa
known, there was almost universal pro
test on the part of our citizens. Nc
because they thirsted for Holden
blood, but because it was literally pre-
longing the agony of the whole com
munity over the laws delays. To hav
this sentence pending for over yea
with everything in readiness to carr
it out, has been a painful state of al
fairs, that everybody thought would b
relieved some time by regular cours
of law. The people are simply wear
of the Holden case-so much SO the
a number expressed their willingness
to turn loose both Holden and Ros'
in order to drop the hateful subject.
Last Saturday Sheriff Mead receive
another warrant for Holden's executio
fixing the date for May 9Th. The be
lief prevails among those best informe
in the case here, that the evidene
which Holden's attorneys have pr
cured will not be sufficient to Undue
the governor to commute the penalt
or again delay it's execution.