Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-05-04

WASHINGTON, D. c., April 2s.-When
the true story of the life of Grover
Cleveland is written it will afford the
public no more touching and romantic
story than that of his rescue from
Auburn prison of a young German, the
placing of the latter in a position of
trust and honor in one of Chicago's
leading wholesale houses, and the
subsequent marriage and honorable
business career of the ex-convict. A
G. HeSing, the well-knOwn German
journalist, is responsible for this Incl
dent in the life of President Cleveland.
Out Of it sprung a strong personal
friendship. which has existed between
Grover Cleveland and Mr.. Hes
ing for ten years. AS far back in the
history of New York as the guber-
Material admin stration of Samuel j.
Tilden, the Chicago editor wrote d let
ter to Gov. Tilden, urging the pardon
from Auburn prison of German lad
serving a twenty-six year sentence,
whose case seemed to Mr.. Hesing par
ticularly worthy of executive clemency.
The young convict's parents lived in
Chicago. The letter was strong per-
sonal appeal, but for some reason Gov.
Tilden did not heed it. Mr. Hesing
and the other friends of the convict
abandoned hope of his pardon
Imagine MIR. Hesing's surprise one
morning in the spring Of 1883 to re-
ceive from Grover Cleveland, Governor
of New York, whom he did not know
personally, letter recalling the case
of the convict at Auburn. Mr. Cleve-
land said he had been searching the
archives at Albany and found Mr..
lxt@
years before to Gov. Tilden. Gov.
Cleveland wrote to inquire if Mr..
Hesing still he'd the same views re-
garding the merits of the case. The flu
ture President stated that if Mr.. Hesing
was still interested in the case and
would exert his personal efforts to Sc
cure the young man business place
where he could have an opportunity
to demonstrate his claim to worthy
citizenship, he Gov. Cleveland) would
Chicago. On this promise from Mr..
Hesing, Gov. Cleveland ordered the
pardon and interested himself to the
extent of seeing that the eX-convict's
transportation was procured to Chicago
and requiring that he be advised of his
saf< arrival there.
Gov. Cleveland had the pleasure a
few days later of reading in a letter
from Mr.. Hesing Of the happy reunion
of parents and son. He also received a
touching letter of thanks from the man
whom his kindness had restored to
citizenship, and the parents also joined
| in expression of lasting gratitude to
their benefactor. The object of Mr.
Cleveland's philanthrophy justified the
latters confidence. He soon afterward
entered upon business career of sue
cess and honor. His name is familiar
in the business circles of Chicago. His
home is the prettiest in one of Chicago's
suburbs and his wife and children are
, respected in the village society where
, they are known.
President Cleveland has never lost
after the events of 1888, naturally felt
a desire to meet Gov. Cleveland per-
sonally. This wish was gratitied very
soon afterward. When Mr.. Cleveland
/ was nomina ted for President in 1884
the Staatz Zeitung, which had been
a devoted champion of Republican
principles for many years, supported
Cleveland. In three consecutive cam
paigns for the Presidency Mr.. Hesing's
! newspaper has supported Grover Cleve-
land. When Mr.. Hesing called on the
President a day or so ago the Presi-
dent inquired regarding the man he
/ pardoned and seemed greatly pleased
to learn that he was leading d life of
respectabilitv and prominence IN his
place of residence.