Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1897-12-16

with the character of the evidence
adduced in his favor. With full knowl-
edge of the facts surrounding his con-
Viction, therefore, emphatically en-
dorse the effort now being made to
secure his pardon. The complaining
witness had pending at the time oi
Dusenberry's trial, a damage suit
against the Wabash railroad company,
growing out of the transaction, for
fifty thousand dollars. Her interest in
the outcome of the case, therefore, was
practically as great as Dusenberry's.
The liberty of one was at stake; the
other was hopeful of great financial
remuneration. The story of the two
principles confiicted absolutely. AS
witnesses think them entitled prac-
tically to equal weight. Conductor
Reach, who was absolutely an impair
tial witness and thoroughly reliable
gentleman, noticed between the par
ties degree of intimacy while on the
train, which excited his suspicion and
caused him to particularly caution the
prosecuting witness to go to the rail-
road hotel and to go nowhere else.
The fact that in spite of this direction
she chose to go wandering away with
Dusenberry is decided confirmation
of the truth of Dusenberry's g statement
that she went with him to the saloon
voluntarily for liquor to ease the
toothache. Prior to the commission
of this offense Dusenberry's character
had been free from the slightest Grim
inal taint. If the complaining witness
spoke the truth, he developed at
once into a criminal of most extra
ordinary type, both in depravity and
recklessness. She claims that he took
her in public view from the railroad
depot, past the hotel in which he
lived, to the saloon in which he work.
ed, that saloon being situated on the
most public corner in Montgomery
City; that he there raped her with
great violence, and that the next
morning he conducted her back to the
hotel where he himself boarded, saw
her enter, gave her an opportunity to
make immediate complaint, and yet,
with an afrontry utterly incompre-
| hensible, after he had turned her
adrift in his own town with his name
In her possession, written by his own
hand, he went about his ordinary busi-
ness voeations as though nothing in the
world had happened. My experience
does not lead me to expect such con-
duct. In my judgment, when the
complaining witness left Dusenberry's g
saloon there was such an understand
ing between her and Dusenberry that
he had no thought of any criminal
charge being preferred against him.
In fact, taking the case as whole,
I am disposed to believe that the
commerce between Dusenbery and
Miss Sira was a matter of mutual ar
rangement. The whole conduct OF
the young woman tends to convince
me that she went to the saloon volun-
tarily and that she remained there
voluntarily. Not being posted as
to the time of the arrival of the vari-
GUS trains, she soon became confused
the following morning, when ques-
toned by the landlady. That brought
about the charge against Dusenberry
She was a very quick witted young
woman. When she realized how
readily her statements were accepted
as true, and when the alluring pros
pect of an immense claim against the
railroad company was held dazzling
before her, it was easy for her to per-
sist in her story and perfect it in its
! details and minutiae. To-day I fee
confident that perhaps ninety nine
per cent of the citizens of Montgom.
cry county, who became familiar with
the facts surrounding Dusenberry's
case, believe in his entire innocence
of the crime for which he was con-
victed. He was admittedly guilty o.
adultery, but adultery is not rape
For the crime actually committed the
punishment has already been mos
severe. Mercy at this time woule
undoubtedly be received with popular
approval. Very Truly Yours,
r. E. SEE"
Here is another:
''To his Excellency, Lon V. Steph
ems, jefferson City, Mo.-Dear Sir:
lo,o hoo, raouootad bv r T, Duaap
berry and friends to write and reques
you to pardon him (Dusenberry) from
imprisonment in the penitentiary.
have known of the case from its in
ception to the present time; was pres
ent at the trial, heard all the evidence
and testified myself as an expert. Th'
!. impression made upon me at the tria
J from hearing all tho evidence from
the lips of the various witnesses ant
noticing their demeanor and conduc
upon the witness stand, was that tn
!; accused was innocent of the charg
made against him; that it was clea
, case to my mind of consent; that tn
woman only cried out rape in orde
? to protect and shield herself. testi
fed upon the trial as an expert, an
from facts as basis proven by tn
state, that the woman was not avirgi
} at the time the alleged crime wa
. committed; that she had borne a chill
: previous to said occurrence. To sa
the least, there is certainly seriou
( doubt of his guilt. He has now bee
in the penitentiary four or five year
and in jail previous to his incarcera
3 ton there about two years; in all b
= has spent about seven years of his lif
J in prison for said alleged offenss
> From an impartial and unprejudice
: standpoint, whether guilty or limo
! cent of the charge, he has certainl
suffered enough. I cordially, hearth
and sincerely join in requesting yor
I iexcellency to grant to said Dusenberr
| an unconditional pardon, believing &
/ do that such action ON your part wi
meet with the hearty approval of a
law abiding and God-faarjnp men an