Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1893-05-25
ROWLAND is A FREE MAN
The Pardon, Issued For the Third
Time, Is Approved by the
Board.
History of the Murder Of Bussiere and
the Efforts Made to Secure
the Slayer's Release.

lIltleHt illtel'tHuchi-J
John A. Rowand is a free man at
last. After twice before passing
through the stage between executive
clemency and the appreciation OF the
board of pardons, and failing both
times, he and his friends have been
successful. The third exhibition ct
executive clemency resulted favorably
to the convicted man. 1t was ap-
proved blythe board of pardons, COM
posed, wita one exception, of the same
men who had twice before refused to
listen to it.
1t was on April 26, 1887, that John
A. Rowand inflicted the wound that
caused the death of Joseph Bussiere
and sent him to the penitentiary ut
Deer Lodge under life sentence.
Rowand, who was living at Butte, had
been drinking heavily, according to
all the testimony and his own admis-
sion. He went to the saloon of Peter
Martin and called for drinks. for
which he did not pay, telling the pro-
prietor to charge them. After some
words brought about by his failure to
settle for the drinks, Rowand went
away, and having armed himself, came
back. Martin put him out of the sa-
loon, as he appeared to be boisterous,
and fearing further trouble got a po-
lice whistle md started to the door to
blow it to call an officer. AS he
opened the door, Rowand, who was
standing about eight feet away, fired
at him. The bullet just graZed the in
side of Martins arm and entered the
back of Bussiere, who, being the col,
lector for a wholesale beer firm, was
in the saloon on business. The wound
resulted in his death and Rowand was
tried and convicted of murder in the
second degree and sentenced to the
penitentiary for life.
No sooner had the doors of the pen.
itentiary closed on Rowand than his
| friends set to work to secure his par
don. He had wealthy and influential
relatives in Quebec, Canada, OF which
dominion he was a native. One of the
hardest workers for Rowand was al
official of the Canadian government
and through his solicit ations the Hon
James q. Blaine, then secretary o
state, was induced to take an inter
est in the case. Others in this section
of the country Joined in, and the re
suit was that III March, 1890, Gov
Toole granted a pardon to Rowand
The board OF pardons, composed o
Secretary of State Rotwitt, Auditor
Kinney, and Attorney Haskell, refused
to approve the pardon. The efforts
on Row and's behalf did not cease
however, and on Feb. 3rd, 1891, tn,
Hon. j. f. Richards, ,lieutenant-gover
nor, who was acting governor in tn,
absence of the Hon. Jos. X. Toole
again pardoned the man. This time
the same board OF pardons as before
again refused to sanction the pardon
So the matter rested until Gov. Rick
ards went east, and Lieut.-Gov. Bot
kin became the acting governor. Col
Botkin again pardoned Rowand an'
Yesterday the board of pardons ap
proved his action. Thus it will b
seen that everyone of the executives O
Montana since the territory became
pardon, Gov. Toole AS executive ant
Gov. Richards and Lieut. Gov. Bot
kin as acting executives.
At the hearing yesterday one G
those who appeared before the board
Joseph Beaupre, said that the widoN
of the murdered man had withdraw
any objections to the pardon OF Row
and. Warden McTague, OF the pen
tentiary, said that Rowand had eS
pressed the determination, if pal
doned, to do everything he could 70
the widow and family OF the man b
had killed.
Rowand has a mother and siste
living at Quebec, Canada, and 1T wa
their untiring efforts that resulte
finally in his pardon.