The morning news., 1897-08-28

but failed to kill him; was convicted and
given a light sentence, but before the SEN
tence could be put into execution, Gov.
Atkinson pardoned him, with more pleas
ure" than he had words to express" He
went on to say that Kimes had shot Han
in defense Of the honor of his home, that
he only regretted that Hall had not been
killed; that he should have been killed.
Since Kimes release, it seems he has
amused himself by assaulting and beat
ing his wife, and has told her that under
the law-for Kimes evidently thinks Gov
Atkinson is "the law"-he is at liberty to
kin both her ana Hall whenever he may
feel like doing so. And, as a matter Of
fact, the governors language cannot be
construed into anything else than an in
vitation TO Kimes to kill them at his con-
venience or pleasure.
Mrs. Kimes, having stood the SANDERS
threats and brutality Of her husband as
long as she could, and longer than any ex-
copt a good, pure and self-sacrihcing wo-
man would, has made public a letter, in
which she shows the world what kind Of
home and honor defender" it is that has
won the warm, not to say maudlin, sym
pathy and admiration of the republican
governor of West Virginia;
This extract from the lady's letter Illus
trates how Kimes loves home and honor
and chershes the one and defends the
other:
1 was married to w. S. Kimes when
but II years old, and ever since have
lxr
to make our home attractive. We have
four children, whom l have supported and
taken care of, as he has not contributed
toward their support for several years.
He has maltreated me in every way possi-
bic ever since our marriage twenty-three
years ago. on one occasion he attempted
to shoot me by pointing a pistol in my
face, and had it not been for my fathers
Interference would have succeeded In
reference to the trouble which occurred
between my brother-in-law, Benjamin
Hall and my husband, l will say that
never was intimate at any time with said
Han, nor was | found in a dark room
with him a the time my husband shot
him, as has been stated in the newspapers.
These statements were neither made nor
proven at the trial of my husband for
shooting said Hall My husband has been
circulating slanderous reports regarding
me, all of which are utterly false, and
nyng, leaving it to an impartial public 10
decide whether or not the statement of a
man who viii circulate such reports
against his Wife are to be given cTedence.
As TO the statement that | am now living
with Benjamin Hall, it is utterly false. He
is not at present, nor has he been for
some time past in this city. 1 am living
alone with my four children endeavoring
to earn a livelihood, with the assistance
of my Oldest son.
Two of his little boys, who are nearly
naked, asked him to get them some
clothes, and he refused, but did give one
scent piece. My children nearly starved
and suffered with cold last winter. | sold
almost all my household goods and even
my clothes, and sold all my furniture, so
we all We're compelled 20 sleep on the floor,
all to keep my children from starving, and
their father had money, and when he came
into the city he always got drunk
The governor should have been in pos
session of these facts; they might have
enhanced his good opinion of Kimes the
defender to the point of Offering him a
commission on his staff with the rank of
colonel As to Kimes Interpretation and
appreciation Of the executives clemency
and good will, his unfortunate wife says
Since my husband has been pardoned he
Stems 10 lUlHk lHdl ne Is empowered 70
abuse me, or even to take my life at will
Only few evenings since he met me on
Avery street, near the convent, and, strik-
ing me repeatedly in the face Informed me
of mis- recently acquired right 20 kill me
at any time he chooses.
Being linked by law with this man, the
poor woman. living in fear. concludes her
letter with this prayer: 81 ask him cher
husbanD for Gods sake to end this matter
some time" From the standpoint of the
woman. the case is pitiable, and she will
receive universal sympathy. From the
standpoint of the people of West Virginia,
there is a lesson in the matter. They
should put period to Atknson's political
career, and over the burial place of his
political hopes and ambitions, erect a
headboard bearing the one word, "Kimes a"