The San Francisco call., 1896-08-09
His Helpless Victim Was AL
ready on the Verge of
the Grave.
ALL HOPE OF A PARDON CONE
Governor Buid Refuses to Interfere
and He Gives Mrs. Hurley Some
Coed Advice.

John H. Hurley, the big ex-ward heeler
and convicted jury-briber, although con-
fined IN the State prison at San Quentin,
may be called upon to answer charge
more serious than embracery. He is now
confined in a dungeon at the prison for
having made an unprovoked and brutal
assault with deadly weapon upon John
Petite, another convict, who for some time
past has been on the verge of the grave
with lung troubles. The beating he re-
ceived at the hands of the big jury briber
will possibly hasten the end.
The assault was committed on last
Thursday and the weapon used was a
large iron poKer, two feet long and half an
inch in thickness, that does service TO stir
the Goals in the big hospital-ward stove.
When Hurley was ON trial in this City
he played the insanity dodge, but not SO
successfully as to prevent him from being
sentenced to five years Imprisonment.
Even in the State prison be has attempted
to excite interest in his case. The officials
told him plainly that his ruse was fiat
failure and that if he desired to receive
the sympathy of any one he must behave
himself or his would be hard lot.
Hurley evidently came to the conclusion
that he was on the wrong trail and his
conduct improved, but still his natural
instincts would come to the surface, and
caused the officials some annoyance
4 week or so ago he required the atten-
ton of a physician, and DR.. Lawler or
dered linn sent to the hospital ward,
where he was shown every attention that
his case demanded. This attention spoiled
him and his ugly disposition came to the
front again.
On Thursday afternoon Hurley learned
L L Hos
pital to his old quarters, and the news did
not please him. DR.. Lawler went to the
Office on some business, and no sooner had
he reached the outer gate than Hurley
gave full vent TO his pent-up wrath. SeiZ-
ing the big stove poker he sprang upon
the poor old consumptive Petite, who was
lying in bed, and beat him numerically
with the weapon.
Blow after blow fell upon Pettie's head
arms and back before the big jury-briber
could be overpowered and disarmed.
When DR.. Lawler asked of him an ex-
PLANTATION for his conduct, Hurley said
that Petite was trying to give him poison
in his medicine.
Hurley's victim was found to be in a
bad way. The blows upon his body were
particularly severe and may hasten his
death, as Petite frequently has several
hemorrhages of the lungs during each
day. While before the assault the old in
valid s death would not have caused sur
prise, it is now almost certain, and fea-
lures may grow out of the case that will
bring the jury -briber before the courts on
a charge Of murder or manslaughfer.
1t is believed that Hurley 8 vicious burst
of temper was caused by his learning that
Governor Budd had refused TO grant the
petition for pardon recently sent to Sacra-
mento. Mrs. Hurley and her husband S
attorney have worked hard to secure sig
to ha HnrlGv'G ne r
don, and to some extent they were sue
cessful, inasmuch as several OF the jury
who tried the fellow affixed their sigma
lures TO the document. They were in
duced 10 do so, however, upon the under
standing that Hurley would leave the
State and not return, if the pardon was
granted. Mrs. Hurley forwarded the pc
tition to the Governor, and on Friday she
received his answer by letter.
Governor Budd firmly but politely told
Mrs. Hurley that he would not pardon her
husband. A jury OF fair and impartial
citizens had found Hurley guilty of a
very serious charge and the Judge had
passed very light sentence considering
the grave nature of the crime.
1t was apparent to Governor Budd, so
he said, that the only reason the iurymen
signed the petition was in the hope that
the man would leave the State. Every
thing considered, the Governor saw no
reason for interfering with the course OF
justice.
In conclusion, Governor Budd made a
kindly suggestion TO Mrs. Hurley. 1t was
that She take her children and return to
her family in the East. Hurley, he said
could Join her in q short time, for under
the credit system. for good behavior, his
short term would be materially decreaed
News travels rapidly and along mys-
terious routes to the convicts inside of the
prison walls, and it is likely that it was
this unpleasant news that caused Hurley
TO f3y into such rage and make the as
sauit upon the old man. The seriousness
of this offense will deprive him of all the
credits he might have gained by good be-
havior. and if that is the only punishment
he receives he will be very fortunate. Old
man Petite may die at any time.