The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-28
ROWANO'S CASE AGAIN..
Two Governments Have Made At
tempts to Release Him From
Deer Lodge.
Convicted of Murder at Butte and
Sentenced to the Penitentiary
for Life.
The Third Recommendation for C'emency
The Third Recommendation for C'emency
Made by Lieut. Gov. Botkin TO
the Board.

Like Banquo's ghost the pardon case OF
John A. Rowand will not down. Twice has
he been rardoned but the state board of
pardons has refused to approve the execu-
tive clemenoy. Even 80 high a power as
the state department. OF tho federal govern
ment has interceded in his behalf upon the
request OF the prime minister of Great
Britain. Now, another attempt 10 about TO
be made in behalf OF this convict who has
commanded such powerful influence In ms
behalf, vet which has been unable 30 far to
take him from out the penitentiary. Row
and is a Canadian and had boon a BRITISH
subject. His father WAS once surgeon gem
o-al Of the dominion. and ii ia said that
kowand has II brother, also from Canada.
occupying an important position IN the
British legation at Washington. Row
and's two children ate with his mother IN
Canada. His wife died in Butte prior to
the tragedy which sent him to prison. he
is about So years old now.
Rowand's crime was murder, but the man
he killed was ono against whom he had no
cause for complaint, and the bullet which
did the act WAS intended for another. In
Alril, 1883. Rowald. who had teen on a
big spree in Butte. went into a saloon ana
bought some drinks from the bnrkeeper,
Peter Martin. He did not have the money
TO pay for what he got. and he and Martin
had some high words. Rowand asked the
barkeeper to "charge them up" Martin
replied that 'he didn'tk keep books" Row
and then told him ITO charge them to your
self." Later he and Martin renewed their
quarrel. II resulted in Martin throwing
Rovand out of the door. Rowand got out
a pistol. n pointing through the partly
opened door at Martin, fred. Joseph Bas-
siete, driver of o beer wagon, happened to
be In the saloon at the time. having just de-
livered an order. The bullet meant for
Martin struck Bassiere in the back, killing
him. Rowand's case was removed to Deer
Lodge county. where he was defended by
Warren Toolo. The prosecution hired sew
eral lawyers to aid the county attorney.
Rowsnd was convicted Of mutder in the
second degree and sentenced to life i'm
%. isonment. Since his incarceration be
has held a trusty position at the peniten-
tiary, being bookkeeper and a sort of COM
missary.
First Gov. Toole asked for Rowand's
pardon. He sent to the gardening board a
letter from Secretary Blaine, which
called attention to the request of the Brit
ish government. and that as an act OF in
ternational courtesy that government had
granted a pardon to an American con con
demned under English law. TIT
State Auditor f. A.. KenDey, Sec
rotary OF State Rotwitt and Attorney
General Haskell refused to approve the
governors action. Some time after this
Gov. Toole had occasion to GO to Washing
ton. During his absence Gov. Richards,
49, Orn~yN vnoNt
mended Rowand's pardon. conditioned
upon his abstaining from intoxicating
liquors so long as he remained in Montana.
Again the board refused to grant the par
don. At this time the question was raised
as to the right Of the lieutenant-governo
to exercise the functions of the governor.
It was said that Gov. Toole being in Wash
ington on official land business connected
with the state. that he WIS not technically
absent from the state. hut was exercising
all the duties of his Office from his place al
the national capital.
Now Gov. Richards is in Chicago to rep
resent Montana at the opening of the Colum.
bian exposition, and once more Rowand If
recommended for pardon. this time by Lieut.
Gov. Botkin, who has had the case under
consideration for several days. The election
of last fall has changed the personnel o.
the board, A. b. Cook taking the place o.
E. A. Kenney on the pardoning board
Rowand has many friends of powerful IN
tiuence, es may be inferred + ON the his
tory of the case. and there are others wh'
strongly oppose every attempt made in hi
behalf. The board of ~rardons is required
to give two weeks notice in q newspape
published in the county where the Grim
was committed of q hearing in the matte
when those who are in favor OF, and thos
who are opposed to the pardon, may b
heard. A majority of the board can de
termine the case.