St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-06-27
ANARCHISTS FREED.
Fielden, Schwab and Neebe Far
doned by Gov. Altgeld, Of
Illinois.
Agitation for This Result Has
Been Going on Since Their
Confinement.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill, June 26. = An
archists Fielden. Neebe and Schwab
were pardoned by Gov. Altgeid today.
Banker f. S. Dreyer. who has been in
terested in their case from the start,
came down from Chicago this MORN
ing and after securing pardon for
each of them from the hands OF Gov.
Alrgeld lef. with them for Joliet ut
noon. 1t is supposed Mr.. Dreyer's
Influence was decisive. 1t was
not even known that the
case was being considered by
the governor and his action created
great surprise. The governor has pre-
pared long statement. 1t has not yet
been given out here, but it is said the
governor criticises Judges Geary and
BOnield severely.
JOLIET. ILL.,. June 26.-Never before
in the history of the Northern Illinois
state penitentiary has there been such
a sensation as took place this
of the anarchists were handed
to Warden Allen. Edward S. Dreyer. a
Chicago banker, arrived from SDring-
field with the pardons for Michael
Scllwab. Samuel Fielden and Oscar
Neebe this afternoon. He went
TO the penitentiary and walked di-
rectly into Warden Aliens private
office and told him he had in his Dos
session the parton OF the trio of anarch-
lists now confined within the walls OF
the penitentiary. Warden Allen JIM
mediately sent for Fielden, Neebe and
SchWab, and at o'clock the three
went into the wafden's Office, where
they were met by Warden Allen and
Mr.. Dreyer. MIR. Drcypr told them, he
had their pardons. They were surprised,
and they expressed their thanks to Mr..
Dreyer and Warden Allen. Their faces
comm enced to brighten up, and they
were the happiest men that ever ieftthe
penitentiary. They all declared that
they were innocent men. and had been
illegally punished. They were thcntaken
to the clothing room 10 be rugged
taken to the dining room, where supper
was served. AT $50 they walked into
the prison Office. and were given
tickets to Chicago, and they bid
the warden good bye. They then,
left for their homes in Chicago. Schwab,
Neebe and Fielden's records as prison
ers are good, and they have never been
punished. They obeyed all orders of
the guard and worked hard and faith
fully during their entire term.
CHICAGO. June 26.-News that the
Chicago anarchists, Fieidep, Neebe and
Schwab, had been paIdoned by
the governor, was received here
this afternoon and caused pro-
found surprise. Schwab has bnen
looked upon here as one of the most
dangerous men in the horrible con-
spiracy that led up to the Haymarket
massacre. Fielden was always consid-
cred misg uided but honest man. land.
Neebe was looked upon as one of
August Spies misguided tools. 1t
would have caused no surprise here TO-
have pardOned Neebe, but the extend
ing of executive clemency to Schwab
cannot be understood. The governor. too,
seems to have acted without conference
with or advice from anybody of inf1u-
ence or authority. The act is his aIoue,
apparently. and presumably he is pre-
pared to meet singly and alene the
sharp criticism and denunciation which
the deed is pound to bring down upon
his head. Since the men have been in
joliet an agitation, growing i'll strength
and yehemence, has been directed to-
WarOS the release OF the prisoners. As
it grew it was joined by many men of
prominence. Some of them SympathiZed
with the men in the beginning and be
lieved that they had been convicted on
a narrow construction OF the law and
with all Inadequate opportunity for de-
Tense, but the majority of sgnerS
were men who had been originally
bitter i'll their denunciation of the agi-
tation, but, believing that anarchy had
suffered its death blow from the hang
ing, there was no good in keeping these
men in Jail.