Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-30
TEN YEARS ENDEAV0R
Of a Faithful Woman Rewarded in
the Pardon of James Dunlap.
HER LATE HUSBANDS DYING WISH
Was to Secure the Liberation of the Friend
Whom Re lad Iuined.
A RING PLACED ON HIS PALS FINGER

BOSTON, Dec. 29-After II years, lacking
two davs' confinement, James Dunlap left
the Charlestown State prison to-day free
man. He was accompanied by Mrs. Mary
Scott-Rowland and George Abbott James,
his warmest friends It is mainly to the
indomitable will and perseverance of Mrs
Rowland that Dunlap owes his release.
1t was Is years ago New Years Day
when Dunlap and Robert c. Scott entered
the prison to serve out a sentence of 20
wears. Scott lived but few years and
died in prison. When Scott was slowly
diving, he made will, leaving to his wife
many mementoes for friends and relatives.
Among these was cameo ring which he
asked her to place on the finger of James
Dunlap, his accomplce, on the day of the
latter's liberation, for Scott always regarded
Dunlap as his pupil in crime-one for whom
he was himself morally responsible-and
he besought mis- loving wife to take upon
herself the solcitude of sister for the man
he had wrongly influenced, and labor uu-
tiringly and resolutely for his pardon.
Ten Years of Unceasing EhdeavOr.
That was nearly ten years ago, for it was
his shame and the prospect of years of
prison life, died of a broken heart-of con
sumption, the physicians certificate said.
And through all the intervening years, this
trust from her contrite husband, although
she has since remarked aud is now living in
another State, Mrs. Scott-Rowland has
never for one moment forgotten. During
all these wears she hss labored to this end,
Importuning obstinate Governors and
Councillors, and securing the aid of in
fuential men. The elimination OF her
labors was her happiness to-day.
Almost as soon as Dunlap's pardon was
granted Yesterday, Mrs. Rowland was tele
graphed to in New York. She at once has
tened to Boston and went to the State
House, where she was given the official
papers according the release of the now
famous prisoner This is an unusual pro-
ceeding The papers are usually sent to
the Warden through the mail, but in this
case they were held back, the Governor
thinking that the woman who had worked
so hard for these papers would esteem 1t a
privilege to be permitted to bear them to
the prison.
The Prisoner Receives His Freedom.
1t was $50 o'clock this morning when she
arrived at Warden Coverings house, and,
entering, handed HIM the official envelope,
saying simply:
"Here's the paper"
The Warden unfolded the bulky docu-
menI and read it. 1t was the first official
announcement of the pardon that he had |
received The Warden went to Dunlap and |
said:
Jim, your pardon has been granted"
The prisoner betrayed no emotion. He |
received the news by simply bowing his |
head, and remarking:
"Well, Pm glad it has come-at last.
He went to work, as usual, this morning
and remained at his post until an officer ap- |
pr1sed him that his labors there were over |
and told him to dress. While Dunlap was |
preparing to leave, Mrs Rowland was In
troduced to the squad Of reporters who |
were in the Warden's Office
81 don't know that 1 have anything to |
say, gentlemen" she remarked. 81 think |
l have said about all care to.
When Dunlap walked into the rotunda,
Mrs. Rowland rushed across the room with
extended hands and face beaming with de-
light Dunlap appeared to be dazed as he
grasped the outstretched hands. With |
tear-dimmed eyes, he thanked her.
Words Too Feeble for his Gratitude.
81 am too much overcome" he said, ''to |
give proper expression of my gratitude for |
your efforts in my behalf. 1t is true that |
INV LlIu6 was up, Dub IL AS uOuC bLC
less, welcome to me; and to you, dear |
friends, who have worked so hard for me, 1 |
am glad that you find much satisfaction |
in knowing that your efforts were not ended |
in vain. To this dear woman owe much, |
and I will try and repay, as far as possible, |
the obligation. %
Dunlap then sat down, overcome by his |
emotion. Then came one of the most pa
thetic incidents of the morning Mrs. |
Rowland opened her pocketbook, and tax |
ing the ring out, said to Dunlap:
''Mr. Dunlap, my mission is fulfilled. If |
it was 90 years instead of 10, 1 would have |
worked with as much energy. 1 had about |
given up hope, but L meant TO be true to |
the promise made to my dying husband"
Then she reached for his right hand and
placed on the third finger plain gold ring.
When this was done she gave way to flood
of tears. She composed herself a moment,
and then the trio were escorted into the
clerks Office, where papers were duly
signed and Dunlap formally released from
custody.
Dunlap was one of the men apprehended
of the gang of bank robbers who distracted
over Sl,600, 900 in securities from the
Northampton Bank, January q, 1876 One
oT the men turned States evidence, Impli-
eating Dunlap. He is now 30 wears of age.