The morning news., 1894-05-04
TEMPTED BY A CoNvIoTs STORY
Why Kansas Officials Granted Par
don to a Condemned Murderer.
From the New Times

From the New Times.
Topeka, Kan. April 26-George II. Sho-
newaldt, after serving nine of the twenty
years for which he was sentenced for
murder, was pardoned by Gov. Lewelling,
and he is now free man. There is a
story connected with the pardon that is
at least, curious, and which illustrates a
phase of human nature not frequently
encountered in state officials.
Immediately after his confinement
Shonewaldt related a wonderful tale to
the warden of the penitentiary, as well
as to his deputy, about hidden treasure
in the Indian Territory amounting to
Sl5O,0O0 in money and precious stones,
the proceeds of robberies Committed by
band to which he had belonged and of
which the Daltons were members. This
hidden treasure was cached, according to
the convict's story, in the hills south of
Montgomery county, from which county
he had been sent TO the penitentiary for
numbering John LCtcher an officer
AS this tale was but one of numerous
others of similar character poured into
the ears of the prison officials. no atten-
tion was paid to it. Shonewaldt was
placed at work in the coal mine, and
failed to receive any fayors because of
his alleged power to bestow wealth.
Gals few years later, he secured an in
terview with the new warden and told
him, of the hidden treasure, adding in
formation about a wonderful gold deposit
of which he knew. The warden was a
business man as well as a man having
knowledge Of human nature, and there
fore declined to bite at the bait so tempt
ingly held out.
When the populists came into power
flt
county, was appointed. It was not long
before Shonewaldt obtained an interview
with him and repeated his story. At
first no attention was paid to it, but be-
fore long the man WAS sent for and closely
questioned. The next week the warden
went to Topeka where he had d consulta-
tion with the governor.
When Warden Chase returned to the
prison Shonewaldt was again sent for,
and questioned as to the nature and
character Of the treasure and as to the
richness of the alleged gold deposit The
convict revealed everything except the
exact locality, and expressed his willing
ness to lead the warden TO the spot if a
pardon were only granted him Two
weeks laJer notice of application for
pardon was published in the Montgomery
county papers. Protests Immediately be-
gan to pour into the governors ohice
This application was granted without a
word having been said in the mans favor.
The week before the granting of the
pardon it had been given out that the
governor his private secretary, Freder-
ick Close, and Warden Chase were going
on an extended hunting trip in Arkansas
When the time came the three men
started from this city, and on the same
train was tho pardoned convict, George
II. Shonewaldt Although Gov LEVEL
ing, Private Secretary Close and Warden
Chase were all known TO be enthusiastic
sportsmen. curiously enough there was
not a tirearm of any description nor fish
ing tackle Of any kind in the possession
Of any member Of the little party
When about thirty miles south Of Kan
sas City Shonewaldt surreptitiously left
the party. getting of at Olathe. The
tickets of the others, although they were
on the Arkansas train, were good only TO
a point in Southern Kansas Within
an hour after the abrupt departure Of
Shonewaldt. Gov. Lewelling was taken
i'll and left the train at Girard, where he
remained at the home Of Lieut. Gov. Dan
iels several days, and then returned TO
Topeka.
When the governor "fell ilI'' Private
Secretary Close returned Immediately TO
Topeka and Warden Chase came back TO
Leavenworth. When questioned about
their supposed search for the treasure
hidden by bandits, the three officials be-