Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-19
HIS WIFE'S TEARS.
THEY AID r.. j. woRsHAM IN Sc
CURING HIS FREEDOM.
TIE GOVERNOR PARDONED HIN.
The Faithful Little Woman Pleaded
NobIy for Her Husband, and Was
Rewarded Mt Last-Pathetic Scene
I'm Prison Walls.

! ago that he would probably grant no
more pardons. leaving the petitions then
| on file in his Office for the consideration
of his successor. But, like many another,
| he wavered in his decision when woman's
| tears were shed, and yesterday. by vir-
tue Of a pardon, he restored TO sor-
rowing wife her husband, who has been
for twelve long months a prisoner in the
| penitentlarv.
The pardon was granted 10 r. ]. Wor-
sham, a former employee Of the Chesa-
| peake and Ohio Railway Company, who
was sentenced from Allegheny county
to serve four years for murder, and the
Governor made the loyal wife the bearer
Of the document which freed her hus-
band.
Around this exercise Of clemency there
Is a sweetly pathetic story, showing
how, through the darkest hours OF trial,
| the love of wife sheds radiance and
| brings happiness. Worsham and his
| faithful little wife were welded in Mon
roe county, w. Va. just two years ago.
and moved to Allegheny county, where
| the happy groom was employed as
bridge-builder. There on a picnic, the
/ unfortunate fatality occurred. Worsham
and n 15-year-old lad were struggling for
the possession OF a pistol, and, In the
presence of the bride of few months,
the pistol was discharged, her husband
becoming a murderer and the lad fall
ing TO the ground dead.
HE SURRENDERED HIMSELF.
Worsham at once surrendered himself
to the authorities, asserting that the
killing was accidental. He was con-
victed however, and brought to prison,
with a four-years' sentence hanging
| over him. He had been here only short
| time, when his wife followed him, and
was for time a guest at the hospitable
| home Of Major b. w. Lynn, her hus-
bands custodian. Major Lynn secured
her a position as housekeeper for Mr.
| w. II. Gathright at 1ll2 north twenty
| eighth street, so she could remain here
| and be near her husband. She at once
| began TO sue for a pardon for the man
| she had sworn to love and honor, ana
| early last summer called upon the Cover
| nor. at his county residence, and inter-
ceded with him for the pardon or her
husband. She brought with her bundle
of fpapers-petitions-the signers OF whlch
were unknown to the Governor. declaring
that the writer's were convinced that the
young man was innocent of the crime
charged against him, for which he had
been sentenced to serve four years In the
penitentiary.
BUT ONE HOPE LEFT.
| Governor O'Ferrall examined these pc
titions carefully, but there were no papers
among them calculated to throw any
light on the case. He told MIS-. Worshdli
that while he felt every inclination TO do
What he could for her, yet she had
4 brought fifm nothing that Would give hlm
| any light as to the merits Of the case.
Her reply was:
'Is there nothing can do to secure my
| husbands pardonE
The Governor told her that If she could
secure the recommendation or the COM
monwealths Attorney Of Allegheny coun-
ty, and Of the jury that tried her nus
band, for his pardon, and submit then
to him, he would consider the case.
Mrs. Worsham came again and again
70 see the Governor, and brought more
papers. but they were always in the ma
ture of petitions, and not at all ohiclal'
SO finally he declined TO grant the pardon
sought.
The Governor. though feeling deeply for
his petitioner dismissed the matter with
this interview, and had forgotten the IN
cidcnt until on last Saturday night, Mrs.
Worsham called on him at the Execu-
tive mansion, and again sought clemency
for her husband. The Governor at first
declined to hear her, but when she burst
into tears. he consented to look at her
noners. which she had brought, and found
10 his surprise, that they were strong
recommendations for pardon from the
commemorative Attorney of Allegheny
and the jury that tried young Worsham
THE WIFE'S RECITAL.
His Excelency then questioned the
wife. and at his solicitation, she told
him the story of how her husband, her-
eelf and a party of friends were out
together on a pleasure trip; how her hus-
hand had drawn a pistol from his pocket
and insisted on firing il; of how l5-year-
old boy named Long, who was in the
Marty. seized his arm and told him he
must not shoot, as he would scare the
team that was just ahead, and OF now
In the struggle, the weapon was dls-
charged and the boy fell 10 the ground
with a bullet in his head, dying soon
afterwards. ,,
yhe Governor being deeply touched at
the devotion of the wife, which was evi-
Ant throughout her story, determined to
do something for her If he consistently
could and ne told her to return yester-
dav. : Early yesterday morning he sign
ed a pardon for Worsham, and mes
sanger was dispatched for Mrs. Worsham'
who hastened to the Capitol. She was
overcome with joy when the pardon was
handed her, and grasping 1t In her hand'
che kissed it again and again, and hurry
ing from the office, hastened'to the penl-
taotiarv. where she handed the paper to
| Major Lynn.
THE TWAIN REUNITED.
| Worsham, who was at work in the shoe-
shop. was sent for and after a warm
and affectionate greeting between nus
hand and wife, Mrs. Worsham said:
..you can't guess what good news
have for you
"No. What is it?' replied Worsham,
smile of hope lighting up his really hand
some face.
"Here's your pardon" the wife quietly
said pointing to the official document IN
Major Lynns hand.
Worsham's face displayed his happi-
pess but he could not say word. Tears
seemed TO well in his eyes as he looked
with all the love in his being at his wlfe'
J "Covernor O'Ferrall told me 10 tell you
tbat n was through me that you got the
nardon." said Mrs. Worsham, now all
YES laughingly replied the happy
man. II knew you did work hard' ana
so did my people" 49,,
"Rut your people did not come down
hara 70 be near YOU" replied the wife
discussion was then gone into 10 de-
> eide what would be done. MAJOR Lynn
offered some suggestions, and IL was
anallv agreed that Mrs Worsham
| should GO out and make some purchases
| xhand would need and return