The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-12
KINDNESS To RAILR0ADERS
Governor Chase Faithfully Carries Out
His Pledge to Charles Wilcox.
The Wabash Section Boss, Edward Haley, Who
Was in Danger Of Losing His Home. Learns
the Governor Has Remittsda $500 Fine.
spec,al to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WABASH, Ind, Aug. 1.-THE papers re-
mitting an onerous fine of $500 assessed
against Edward Haley. q section boss on
the Wabash, who was formerly resident
of this city. were received yesterday from
Governor Chase. The circumstances are
somewhat interesting apd peculiar. the
pardon granted by the Governor being due
to the personal efforts of Charles +. Will
cox, the trainmaster OF the Wabash rail-
road, who was afterward killed in the
frightful wreck at Keller's. this county,
last month.
Haley is the foreman of section near
Peru. ana had working for him q man and
his son named Grace. About six months
ago the father and boy got drunk and Iate
at night called at the little home of Haley
and attempted to batter in the door, the at
tack being wholly without provocation.
They were driven off. and the next morning
when they reported for duty at the
hand-car-h ouse Haley notified them
they might consider themselves dis
charged. This made the men very angry
and both assaulted him, when Haley.
grasping heavy club, broke tho arms of
the two Graces and badly damaged the
skull of the elder. He then turned about
and gave them certificates of admission to
the Wabash Hospital, and there they were
cared for until they recovered. In the
meantime Haley was arrested, and at bis
trial was fined $500 as stated, though the
testimony showed that he acted in self
defense. The hne and costs, amounting to
5000, would about wipe out his little home,
as he was very poor. but he was prepared
to sacrifice everything to satisfy the out
ragged majesty of the law, and had settled
the costs. when the attention of the late
Mr. Wilcox was called TO the matter.
At the Fort Wayne convention, when
many alleged railroad men were opposing
Governor Chase's nomination, Mr.. Wilcox
was his especial champion, and in a speech
secOpdipg the nomination of the Governor
declared that the employees on the Wabash
railroad would stand by him on election
day. The speech created a sensation and
doubtless influenced the action OF many
delegates. Atterward when the Governor
met Mr.. Wilcox anu promised to reciprOcate
the favor the tralnmaster seized tho oppor-
tunity to ask for the remission of Haley's
fine. He presented the case in all it's de-
tails and the Governor promised to give it
early attention.
Ten days later poor Wilcox went down
and was instantly killed. The Governor
was present at the funeral of the dead
tra1nmaster. and at the conclusion of the
obsequles he summoned Roadmaster Adams
OF the Wabash, and spoke of Mr.. Wilcox's
request asking him to inform Mr.. Haley
that he was satisfied the case called for
clemency and that the papers remitting
the fine would be forwarded TO him as soon
as he could get to them.
In accordance with this promise the doc
uments were made ont and yesterday were
delivered to Mr.. Haley, who, thanks to the
efforts of his friend, tho trainmaster and
to Governor Chase's kindness is permitted
to retain possession of his home.
The meeting of Mr.. Wilcox and Governor
Chase the night of the convention at tho
depot in this city was the first aud last
time they ever cOnversed with each other.