The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-08-06
Her Plea SAVED HIM.
Mra Sedgwiok Sues for Pardon for
Q Man Who Tried to Rob Her.
He Was Out Of Work and Ms
Family Starving.
Released by Recorder smyth and
Employment Promised.

Although Shakespeare says that the
robbed that smiles steals something
from the thief" 1t IL not often that the
robbed begs for mercy for the robber.
That was the situation, however, when
"Francis Boyle" a young fellow of
twenty-seyen years. was arraigned be-
fore Recorder Smyth. In Part I. OF the
Court Of General Sessions, this morning
to answer for grand larceny, second de-
gree, and the pleader was q woman,
womanly, kindly, gentle hearted.
Francis Boyle" made an unsuccess-
full attempt to snatch Mrs. Ida Sedg-
wick's pocketbook, containing o small
watch and IS. while she was passing the
Boulevard and Seventy-third street, at
noon on July II. His case reveals sad
phase Of the hard times.
When Assistant District Attorney
O'Hare called Boyle" to bar, to-day,
1t was not to press him to trial and
conviction for grand larceny. second
degree, but to Join with Mrs. sedgwick
in asking mercy for him, more sinned
against by society than SHINING.
With the indictment and the sworn
complaint, Mr.. O'Hare handed up to
the grave-faced Recorder. several other
documents, curious documents In a case
Of this kind.
The largest and most important one
was signed by Mrs. sedgwick. She had
investigated the case of Boyle" and
had discovered that his real name was
Allan Mclean, and that he lived in
wretchsd. poverty with . young wife, a
s %,stx snH an aged father at az West
Mrs. sedgwick says in her plea for
inquiries and Investigations since made BY my
ccnsinc:a Us Of the truth Of the following rep,
sesentattousi Defendant is an industrious street
- sssss but be, been beer out q MSTS Tor
and his. siis and blby. two months OLD. IN,
.s ss. os:9 Arrest q wiz: esS ans
father sAoWsd evident Gigns Of ineipient starva-
ton. Thsg all seem 10 be educated and respect
The father Of defendant was formerly we'll to
% and we'll known In Englewood. N. J. He e
: month. now the sole means Of subsistence for
~ entire family They are about 70 b evicted
ia our fssnds have contributes money 70 dsssn4.
ants family since We learned their true eondi-
ton rssDsctfuIly Pray for The utmost stretch
and mercy OF the Court and the District Attorney
ma seem wie Il; sasi Of tic
the 's Box Iaursins the BABY Her cheeks he
were sunken, her eyes hollow. her whole
aspect wretched and anxious, while Jhon
Ford, lawyer, argued for clemency. The
sisted Of forty pawn tickets. represent
ing every article which the family could
pledge for the wherewithai to stave off
John r. Reilly. Of the New York Life
Insurance Company. and Walter Ross,
OF Barrets, Palmer q Heal, 348 Canal
street, each wrote letter Of commenda-
tSn e MsLs: sn e ,. an h honest uRrsh
fair chance in the world. Mclean had
been employed for long periods by each
Of these concerns.
dismissal Of the Indictment, indorsins
the paper rs follows:
The distress which impeilsd this defendant to
attempt the commission OF the crime charged
family and the abundant evidences Of his previous
good character. showing that this condit!sa was
the result OF shes. misfortune and not bad
condition Of mind 70 form the intent necessary
70 = crime. The psliiation 10 % extreme a. To
Justify the dismissal Of this indictment.
Mr.. O'Hare was Joined In the recon-
mendation by Harry Macedonia. Acting
. In discussing the indictment Recorder
Smyth said:
"rhe District-Attorney says that your
condition and that of your family bor-
dered upon starvation, and that condi-
ton was due to misfortune. not to
W rias t IL The good woman whom yoS
leads me to believe that you are an hon
est man."
While the Recorder spoke the fright
coasan herss She lsft h her eSsir and
paced up and down the narrow enclosure
with her baby girl In her arms and
when her husband was released she
and cried and laughed all at the same
time. And so they went away.
Mclean has been promised employ
dozen sympathetic strangers as he left
the Courthouse.