The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-11
AN AGED MOTHERS GRIEF
She Pleads in Vain with Governor Chase
for a Pardon for Her Son.
1t Cannot Be Granted Because He Ran Away
While on ParOle-Now Educated and Rich,
He Cannot See His Mother.

Among the large number who seek audi
ences with Governor Chase for pardons is
one Mrs. Bisot. of Bedford. She is wild
owed. old and lame. and bears evidence of
weight of sorrow. She slowly entered
the Governors apa rtment at the State
house Saturday. and renewed her applica-
ton for the pardon of her son. He was o
posthumous son and the dearest reminder
of her deceased husband. He grew up the
Idol of her heart. In spite of wayward con-
duct. On Christmas night, 1876. he and
some reveling friends became intoxicated
and provoked the marshal to attempt to
arrest them. Young Bisot and another re.
sisted. A fight ensued in which the officer
was killed.
The murderers were mere lads. neither
being over eighteen years of age. but they
were convicted and sentenced to the south
ern prison for life. Mrs. Bis0t was pros.
trated. and for several months she fingered
upon the edge of the grave. victim OF the
deepest melancholy. When August was re-
she was taken with brain fever. A long
sickness followed. and the physician be-
came convinced that only the presence OF
the son would save her life. While she
was still very i'll her friends prevailed
upon Governor Williams to grant August q
furlOugh for sixty days in order that he
might visit his mother. The most solemn
assurances were given that he would re-
turn to prison at the end Of the time
With the return of the son Mrs. BIsot
grew rapidly better, and was soon pro-
nounced convalescent, though she con-
tinued to be very feeble. and 1t was clear
that she would never regain robust health.
With the expiration of his leave August
disappeared. Immediately after his disap-
pearance u petition was presented to Gov
erDOr Williams for a pardon, but the ex-
ecutiye refused TO consider the petition un-
less BisOt returned and surrendered to the
prison officials. Governor Porter. Governor
Gray, Governor HOvey, and. lastly, Gov
ernOr Chase have been besleged by Bisots
friends but each has taken the same ground
for refusing to grant pardon. Governor
Gray pardoned the young man that was i'm
pllcated with Bisot in the murder. but de-
long as he was out of prison, though the
latter's petitions had been more numerous
ly signed and. in fact. contained the name
of every representative citizen In the
county, including the Judge, prosecutor
and all the jurors.
Bisot fled to Mexico when he disappeared.
and lived In safety under an assumed name.
He went to Philadelphia In few years,
and graduated in q medical school. return
ing again to bis adopted foreign home. The
practice of his profession met with sue
cess and won him a large income. which
has now become competence; lie Is now
very anxious to come to his old nome, ana
make the remaining days of his mothers
life happy as may be.
He was never vicious. and the lesson
that he learned from his first experience in
crime changed the whole tenor of his life.
He learned that Governor HOvey intended
to make visit to the City of Mexico in
October last. and it seems that ne went
there for the purpose Of seeking pardon.
He was In the crowd that welcomed the
Governor to the Mexican capital. but he
did not make his identity known, possibly
through fear of his residence being dis
covered if his request for pardon was ig-
nored.
1t Is now about fifteen years since he left
the State. and it IS hardly possible that
any attempt will ever be made to arrest
him unless he comes within the iurisdio-
ton of the Indiana officers He absolutely
refuses to surrender himself prisoner. and
his friends say that he has such q repug-
nance to stripes that he will not volun-
terily re-enter prison, even on promise OF
ultimate pardon. This promise no exeeu.
tive will give. tor all have positively re-
fused to consider the case at all till Bisot
puts himself on An equality with others
who seek executive clemency. 1t 10 highly
probable that pardon would be granted
If be should return and serve few months
OF q year. but this he will not do. Mrs.
BsOt 10 too feeble to undertake q journey
to him and. though the Governor sincerely
sympathizes with her. it is hardly probable
that she Will ever see her son again.