The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-30
TWOHEARTSAREGLA
Governor Matthew's Thanksgiv-
ing Present to Alvira Martin.
Twas a Pardon for Her Mother. a Life
Convict in the Woman's Prison
Sad Story of Misfortune.

Without doubt the happiest mortal in all
this city to-day is Alvira Martin, a sixteen
year-old girl, employed as a domestic at No.
27 Broadway. On this day OF glad thanks
giving over bountiful tables of good things
Alvira Martin certainly has cause to pour
out her young heart in joyous and gladstone
thank 10 the chief executive of the State,
who yesterday placed in her hands the doc
ument that releases her mother from q
life of Imprisonment.
For many months past Governor Mat
thews has had pending an urgent applica-
ton for the pardon of Ellen Martin, con-
victed of infanticide in Daviess county
eight years ago. Until to-day Mrs. Martin,
a gray-haired. broken woman, has faithfully
borne the tasks imposed on the prisoners
at the woman's prison without a murmur.
A life sentence was hers, read to her eight
years ago In the court room at Washing
ton, Ind. Her story is not sensational, but
pitiable in the exererne. Nine years ago
she was deserted by her husband and left
with the care of three small children. Her
lot, not an easy one even while she lived
with her husband, was made doubly miser-
able by the wanton desertion. She found
| herself cast off by her family and utterly
| unable to secure the scant sustenance upon
which she had been compelled to exist dur
ing the greater portion of her married life.
For a few months she strove nobly to
keep a home for her children, but failed.
She saw them drift apart and out of her
life, and then came the browning blow in
her wretched existence. The premature
birth of her babe caused her arrest on the
charge OF criminal malpractice, and she
was arraigned on the charge Of murder.
The sentence of the court was life impris-
onment, and the woman was brought to
Indianapolis and placed IN the woman's
| prison. Eight years Of the dreary exist
ence that stretched out before her she
served. The officials at the reformatory
united in the statement that the prisoner
was Industrious. honest, and at all times
evinced q disposition to conform with the
rules of the institution.
AS the years passed on Alvira Martin.
the eldest daughter of the prisoner, grew
up and, coming to Indianapolis, secured a
situation with the family now employing
her. Her purpose in coming here was to be
near her mother and to exert her energies
to obtain a pardon. The girl possessed a
pretty face and a modest manner that won
her the respect of the attaches of the ex-
ecutive department, and she was inVari-
ably accorded an interview with the
Governor when she desired 1t. OF late the
girl has been a frequent visitor at the
Governors office. She would not remain
long, but would slip quietly into the pres
ence of the chief executive in her modest
way and inquire as to the progress of her
mothers case. In addition to the as
siduous appeals on the part of the laughter
Governor Matthews was importuned by
some of the leading citizens of DaViess
county, who had interested themselves in
behalf of Mrs. Martin. The judge of ths
court and the jury which had made the
Last Saturday the Governor found him
self inclined to extend the gracious am
neSty of his Office and, seating himself at
his desk, penned a personal note to Alvira
Martin. The eDistle instructed her to call
at Mo1 16e Gove RTigbf p and earn GR the the ie ejrI ans
peared, her pretty face aglow with glad
anticipation. .
said the Governor as the visitor. trembling
with mingled. joy and fear, accepted the
chair, placed for her. II have sent for You
to tell YOU this in order that you may pre-
pare n home for her." continued Governor
Matthews. With a Joyous exclamation the
girl sprang to her feet. Her delight was &c
static, and sparkled from the bright eyes
with, wonderful radiance; Catching up the
hand of the chief magistrate the happy
II can't find words to thank you. I'm the
happiest girl in all the world, and this is
my birthday, too. I'm sixteen years old to-
'iGood!" returned the Governor; then I'll
just make you a birthday present: 1t shall
be a pardon, and you may carry it to your
mother with your own hands" Then the
delighted girl left the office, the tears
streaming down her face. She was to call
yesterday morning for the pardon. and long
before the janitor opened the Governors
doors he noticed the slight figure of Il
young girl, modestly attired in black, who
waited about the. corridors. When the
Governor entered his office he found the girl
there before him. The pardon was ready
and was soon on it's way to the prison, car
ried by a messenger whose heart was light
and happy, and who brought a new lease
Of life to the hopeless woman. a happy
hour followed the arrival of the pardon,
and mother and daughter left. the prison to
begin a new life together.