The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-09
a PARDON FOR.KENNEDY
GOVERNOR INTENDS TO RIGHT a
CELEBRATED CASE OF INJUSTICE.
Renal lSable Story of a Sisters Devo-
He Probably Didn't Commit.


serving a life sentence since 1885 There
is little doubt that Kennedy has been suf-
fering all these years an innocent man. He
was a Cincinnati boy in 1884 and came up
to Greensburg with a number of other peo-
pie from Cincinnati to a great political
demonstration, the night before the cleo
tion at which John A. Logan was the
principal speaker In the crowd we're a
number of piczpockets from Cincinnati ana
Dayton and after they had committed a
number of robberies they were set upon
and pursued by the crowd. Among this
crowd was David Baker, upon whom one
of the fleeing thieves turned and fired with
fatal effect.
Kennedy was afterward arrested and con-
victed several months later, upon purely
circumstantial evidence. He was then a little
over twenty years old He had a sister two
years younger than himself and she has de-
voted her life to the effort to get him out
of prison. She was convinced that the real
murderer was one Totman, member of
a Dayton gang of thieves, and she
went to that city and followed
members of the gang around to various
cities. Her Investigations proved fruitless
and she began the other method of bring
ing pressure to bear on various Governors
Kennedy's life within the prison walls has
been most exemplary. Recently he was
seized with consumption and it is believed
that the pardon will result in saving his
life for a brief time only.
The approaching release of William Ken
nedy, after over twelve years of prison
drudgery recalls one of the most remark
able cases in the criminal history of the
State of Indiana. It is a story of pathetic in
terest from beginning to end-a narrative Of
strange facts and singular circumstances.
The details of the conviction and imprison-
ment of young Kennedy and the subsequent
efforts of his family to secure his release
read like a novel. The heroic devotion of
a loving sister, who through all these years
of confinement gave herself to her brothers
cause, is one of the interesting features Of
the Kennedy case. There is little doubt
that the tireless energy and unhagging
zeal of Kate L. Kennedy in her brothers
behalf had much to do with gaining ex
ecutive clemency in his case.
THE CRIME ITSELF.
Ever since the trial and conviction of VII
liam Kennedy for the murder of David
Baker there has been grave doubts in the
minds of many as to the guilt of the ac-
cused man. The crime occurred on the
ing was in progress at Greensburg, De-
catur county. 1t was the Saturday night
before the presidential election. General
John A. Logan had held a monster meeting
in Greensburg during the days. Thousands
of people were eongregated in the
little town, and political excitement
was at fever heat. There were
hundreds of strangers in the crowd,
and the authorities were on the lookout
for acts of laWleSsness. 1t is shown that
during the day preceding the Logan meet
ing, party of four or five men put up at
the De Almond Hotel, the leading hos
telry of Greensburg, and during the even
ing attracted considerable attention. No
one knew the men. Shortly after the speak
ing and while the crowd was jostling and
erS stand there was an alarming cry of
'piclSpocket." Young David Baker, one of
the prominent and best-known men of De-
catur county was seen to start in pursuit
of some one. Baker was accompanied by
one or two companions Several men who
could not be recognized fed from the pur-
named Charles Wallace-was caught by
one of Bakers friends. 1t was about this
time that, Baker was shot and killed by
an alleged nemper OF the gang which had
tried to ply their trade in the crowd.
A week later William w. Kennedy.
young man aged about twenty years, was
arrested at his home in Cincinnati and
brought back to GFeensburg. A number
of people visited the Jail, claimed to iden-
shot that killed David Baker and he was
charged with the crime. AT first public
sentiment seemed to be almost sohdly ar
rayed against young Kennedy. lie pro-
tested that he was innOcent-that he knew
nothing of the crime and when arrested
declared he would accompany the officers
back to Greensburg without the formality
of a requiSition. He came back to Indiana
willingly, claiming all the While that pre-
Iiminary hearing would prove his inno-
cence A thousand dollars reward was Of
fered for the arrest and conviction of
Bakers murderer and Marshal ClemInons,
of Greensburg, claimed the money. There
was an angry elamor from the populace.
David Baker, the man who had been slain,
belonged to one of the most prominent and
influential families of the county. The peo-
pie cried out for the blood of his slayer.
Besides the Cincinnati riots had occurred
just prior to the murder and the people
were infiamed and demanded that some
thing be done to check this run of laWless-
ness. Kennedy was indicted by the grand
jury of Decatur county for murder in the
first degree
THE GRAND JURY IN DOUBT.
That the grand jury which indicted Ken
nedy was in doubt as to his guilt is evil
denced by three letters afterward written
by members of the jury who favored a par
don. These letters were addressed to the
chief executive of the State. William d.
Finley wrote: Il refused to vote the in
dictment until it had been voted a number
Of times, and it had been delayed so long
and the pressure brought to bear was so
great l decided to vote, thinking that if
he be innocent he would clear himself at
his trial" Grand Juror Davis said; After
hearing part of the evidence | went to the
Jail to see the prisoner. Went in and
picked out the man, as L thought from
evidence before me. After examining him
particularly l turned 20 leave. AS l passed
out l saw a man standing near the door,
and turning to the jailer, L inquired: What
is this man charged WITH me Jaller sad :
He is charged with the killing of David
Baker l was very much astonished, as
he was so different in appearance from the
man had just picked out as the murderer
of Baker. The evidence did not suit Ken
needy. L would have made this known at
his trial. but being member of the grand
jury l did not know what was best. Juror
Davis did not vote the indictment. Another
grand juror said: Every member of the
grand jury said there was not sufficient
evidence TO find an indictment. Mr.. Doyler
one of the members, argued TO bind him
over to the conrt and if innocent he would
prove himself so there; that the excitement
was so intense at the time that the people
would condemn US if We cleared the man.
l want to say to the Governor of our State
that this man Kennedy has been
done great wrong, and the people and
Governor of Indiana should use every en-
deavOr to right this man. for there was no
evidence before us TO indict him. > =
And if this man (Baker) had not shot first
three times he never would have been
killed. The Baker family are friends OF
mine and helped 10 elect me for q second
term as trustee of Clay township, but JUS
tice should be done in the face of all this -
William Kennedy was tried and convicted
by the Circuit Court of Rush county on
change of venue. The records show that
there was some confusion as TO the prison.
er s counsel; that the family had employed
a certain Major Blackburn to lead in the
GAS "a