The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-08
.PARD0NED ONCE AGAIN.
Lieut-Gov, Richards Shows Glenn
ency to John A. Rowand.
4 Life Convict.
Gov. Toole Did It Once. but the
Board Of Pardons Wouldn't
Uphold Film,
IA Case which Called for an Appeal for
Mercy From Secretary Of State
blaine and Others.

Lieut. Gov. j. u. Richards. Who L acting
governor Of Montana, yesterday decided
to recommend tho pardon OF John A. How
and, 4 oonvlct 1T the penitentiary, sen-
tenced to life imprisonment tor murder.
The order Of the acting governor y ~ fol-
lows:
Having examined the papers and roc,
ords on file in the Office Of the executive
and Of the secretary Of state. relative 80
the application and petition for and on
behalf OF John A. Rowand. . prisoner con-
fined in the renitentiary; and being salts
fed therefrom that executive c.emency
should be exercised in this case at this
time, I do therefore grant to the said John
A. Rowand a pardon, conditioned uporAhas::
abstaining from this use OF intoxicating
liquors while he is q resident OF the state OF
Montana; subject to the approval OF the
state board of pardons."
John A. Rowand's case is q somewhat
celebrated one, having at one TIM called
for semi official action on the part of the
state department under Secretary Blaine.
Rowand's CRIME was murder, but the man
he killed was one against whom he had no
cause for complaint, and the bullet which
did the act was intended for another. ~
April, 1888, Kowand, who had been on =
big spree in Butte, went into q saloon and
bought some drinks from the barkeeper,
Peter Martin. He did not have the none
to pay for what he got, and ne and Martin
had some high words. Rowand asked the
barkeeper to ''cha, GO them up Martin
replied that che didn't keep books koW-
and then told him ITO charge them to YOUR
self" He went out. but returned later,and
he and Martin renewed their quarrel. lt
resulted in Martin throwing Rowand out OF
the door. Rowand got out a pistol
and roiuting through the partly opened
door at Martin, fired. Joseph Basslere.
driver Of a beer wagon, happened to be IN
the saloon at the time, having just deliv-
cred an order. The bullet meant for
Martin struck Basslere in the back, killing
Lodge county, where be was defended by
| Warren Toole. The prosecution hired
several LAWYERS to aid the then county at
torney, now Judge Dewitt. Rowand was
convicted Of murder in the second degree,
and sentenced to life imprisonment. since
position at the penitentiary, being book
keeper aud a sort of commis.ary.
An attempt was made in 1890 to get Row
and ont of prison. Gov. 'roole granted
him a pardon. The board OF par
dons, however, refused to up
prove 1t. among tn0 AettoIh beAU
to the governor at that time asking for
clemency was one from Secretary Blaine
of the state department. He asked Tor
mercy on the grounds of international
courtesy. Rowand is a Canadian and had
been a British subject. His father was once
surgeon-general OF the dominion, and be, la
said to have a brother, also from Canada,
occupying an important position in VIE
British legation at Washington. Rowand1ps
two childlen are now with his mother in
Canada. His wife died in Butte prior to
the tragedy which sent him to prison. lie
Is about 80 years old now.
Among the reasons urged for his pardon
was that he had not meant to kill Baesiere,
and that he was irresponsible through the
use of liquor at the time of the shooting.
It was that which no doubt influenced the
Lieutenant governor in making the pardon
conditional on Rowand's ab%staining from
liuuo.. What action the board of pardons
will take is not known. 1t is believed, how
ever, the pardon will be approved. Lieut..
Gov. Richards says he thinks the ends OF
Justice have been subsetved, and that the
sentence was somewhat severe in the first
place. considering the circumstances sur.
rounding the crime.
The order for the release of A. r. Reub,
whose pardon has already been mentioned.
was signed by Lieut.. Gov. Richards yester.
day.