The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-31
FIiTHFCL FRIENDS.
How Conyict's sfepmother and Cousin
Secured hi, Pardon.

ATLANTA. GA, Dec. 30-Harry Hill.
who received his pardon last Saturday
and who was released from the convict
camps the morning following. has made
no change In his plans so far, ana IL
be holds 10 them he viii never see At
lanta, the city from which he was sent to
serve a sentence In the State penitentiary.
lie has made arrangements 10 go 10
New York and start life anew. Railroad
passes have already been obtained for
him and i'm q few days he will go 10
the metropolis He will go by a route
that does not include Atlanta In the sta
lions passed. and will turn his back on
Georgia forever. Arriving In New York
Harry I'm will at once 20 into business
for himself The business Will be that
OF dealing IN liquor. and Harry Will lead
"A quiet life and remain from public view
rs much as possible.
Tho two hardest workers for Harry
Hills freedom were his stepmother, Mrs.
Bessie Taylor Hill, and his first cousin.
Miss Saliie Lou Taylor Both or these
women took an interest IN the petition
that is seldom demonstrated, ana nut
for their plcadings and untrng efforts
the petition OF Harry Hill would prOba-
bly, have gone the way Of many others.
Tho last appeal that Harry Hill made
for pardon was IN letter 20 Hon. James
Armstrong. representative from Wilkes
county, who Is chairman OF the sub-com-
niftce Of the House that visited the
camps az which the prisoner was con-
fined. I'm this letter Hin asked that Mr..
Armstrong IN some way get before mo
public "A statement Of the recommends
lions that had been made for his pardon
by different bodies and let the people in
that way decide whether or not he de-
served his liberty.
what ne dld for himself however. in
no way COMPARES TO the great amount or
work done for him by his two kinswomen.
Not one moment were they IDLE. Every
opportunity that presented Itself 10 them
10 obtain new and influential names 10
n petition or personal letter 10 the Gov
ernOr was grasped. and in that way the
petition was kept ever before the mind OF
Governor Atkinson.
Long before the Legislature met, these
two women. armed with. Il petition writ
ten 10y the counsel Of the prisoner began
20 get names signed 90 IL. They worked
from carly morn TIL late AZ night, and
before the session Of Legislature was
half over they had obtained the name or
nearly every member Of both branches OF
tho House. besides the SIGNATURES OF hum
dreds Of prominent citizens and leading
preachers OF the State. During the sum-
ror. letters from every nook and corner
NJ the State asking for the pardon or
Harry Iiill were received by Governor
Atkinson
Mrs. Bessie Taylor lin and her daush-
ter Harry first cousin visited the Gov
efu0r times innumcrabie. They pleaded
with him for Harry's pardon and when
not On the city. they sent letters asking
hat their kinsman he given his liberty.
AZ times when 81 seemed that the par
don would never be granted, and Harry
vain bon his prison gave nap all hope or
liberty and determined to prepare 10 die
serving HIS sentence. when the path fOr
the future was dark before him and there
seemed fO Doe no chance Of ever obtaining
executive clomoicv. these two women
worked. prayed. and hoped.
NOt for one instant wore they discour-
aged. not one time ala they over falter IN
the CARRYING out of the task before them
4f the worry darkest times they drowned
sorrow aud despair I'M their efforts 20 ODE
tain The pardon. and let nothing stand IN
their way.
After mo this hard work. md after INC
many hours Of sadness. when h seemed
That their work had been done for moth
me they were rewarded with success
-ueh success as ls seldom seminary
ill wa9 plrdoncd.
The papers. as soon as signed. were sent
% them and with these ln their posses
sion. tha ones who had obtained the rl-
rcrs went with them and were the first
f0 greet Harry llli after his release.
Trrr were pre- ont when no received fho
rarlcn and the first thanks given hoy
ffarrv HU was To them. his lhorators.
Trrlrh those women had worked long
and earnestly. they were well rewarded
f0r their lab0rs and were happy az his
release.