Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-05-05

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 honora BILE
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 strong personal
friendship which has existed between
Grover Cleveland and Mr.. Hes
ing for ten years. AS far back in the
history uf New York as the guber-
Material administration of Samuel j.
Tilden, the Chicago editor wrote a let
ter to Gov. Tilden, urging the pardon
from Auburn prison of a German lad
serving d 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 a 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 Mr.. 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..
Hesing's letter, written nearly ten
years before to Gov. Tilden. Gov.
Cleveland wrote to inquire if Mr..
Hesing still held the same views re-
garding the merits of the case. The fu-
ture President stated that if MIR. 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
pardon him and send the ex-convict to
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
safs 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
latter's 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
interest in the ex-convict. Mr.. Hesing,
after the events Of 1888, naturally felt
desire to meet Gov. Cleveland per-
sonally. This wish was gratifed very
soon afterward. When Mr.. Cleveland
was nominated for President in 1884
the Staatz Zeitung. which had been
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
Presidenf day or SO ago the Presi-
dent inquired regarding the man he
pardoned and seemed greatly ple;. sed
to learn that he was leading a life of
respecta bilitv and prominence in his
place of residence.