The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-05-30

DR.. Bissot, the PardOned Fugitive and Life
Convict, interviewed at Bedford.
Special 10 the Indian apolis Journal.

Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal
BEDFORD, Ind, May 29.-Arthur Bissot.
the life convict. who. after being q fugitive
twelve years. voluntarily surrendered HIM
self to the warden OF the penitentiary at
Jacksonville last Monday. was pardoned
by Governor Chase Friday. Dr.. Bissot.
who is now a physician. arrived at his
home In this city Friday night. This was
his first visit to Bedford since he took adj
vantage of the six months parole granted
by Governor Williams in 1876. and left Tor
parts unknown. II was also the first time
since his departure that he has met the
mother who has held him In loving remem-
brance during all these years he was a IN.
Ritive. and has prayed and worked for the
remov al of the legal barrier which has kept
him In exile. Twelve years have elapsed
since he fled the State. To-day he submit.
his eventful life. DIR. Bissot Is about thir-
ty-fOur years of age. and has changed but
little in appearance during his years
absence. except that ne hasincreased some-
what in weight. During the interview
there was q look of happiness upon his face
which indicated that he Ia in excellent hui
NOR with all the world. and duly grateful
to the Governor of indiana for the docu.
ment which opens the doors of the peni.
Tertiary and restores him to q place in So
clcty.
Glad to be back In old Bedfords" said
he. answering a question. . course Im
glad. After SO many years of absence. is
does me good 20 tread again my native
heath. No person, who has not had some
such experience as mine, can understand the
emotions which fill the heart of one who,
having been banished from his native land
and his loved ones. finds all barriers sud
denly removed
lis 1t true, AS some have asserted, that
you have made several secret visits to Bed
ford or vicinity. since your departure
twelve years agof"
We'll. hardly replied the Doctor with q
laugh. Il was too anxious TO retain my
liberty. | have never been near Bedford
and had never seen any member of my
family from the time or my departure un-
til i surrendered 10 the prison officials. l
had strong reason for keeping my where's
bouts unknown. After 1 left Bedford j be-
gan life anew. established a new identity,
built up n character and reputation
which differed somewhat from that of Ar.
thur Bissot. the life convict. i entered in
to business projects which brought me
property interests of some Importance. All
that / had achieved and all that i hoped
for in the future might have been put IN
jeopardy had 1t been known. or even sus.
pected. that instead of being the free aud
respected citizen OF my new home. / was
Arthur Bissot. a fugitive from Indiana"
The Doctor is undecided whether he will
remain in Bedford OF take his mother back
to Mexico TO spend the remainder OF her
days. About that which the public would
most enjoy hearing him relate-the history
of his crime. where he iOurneyed after
making his escape and where and how he
lived-he was strangely silent Many con-
Trajectory Tumors are current regarding
the real facts of the killing of the marshal.
fer which he was given a life sentence
when but q boy. and IL would be both In
teresting and do the returned exile no harm
to give the true story to the public.