The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-07
.FlREBUG ROGERS PLEA
Being a POpulist He Ought Not
Be Punished
For Burning the Records of
Harvey County.
This is the Astounding Claim for
Mercy Made by the Friends Of
the Convict

There Is on file with the state board of
pardons a letter addressed to Governor
Leedy which indicates that the effort
of Harvey county citizens to secure the
pardon of George Washington Rogers,
now in the penitentiary serving a term
for burning the records of Harvey coun-
ty, win be of political nature and that
they hope to secure the pardon through
that kind of influence.
The letter is written by J. H Ander-
son, extracts from which are appended
At the outset Mr.. Anderson says:
AS to the guilt or innocense of the
crime charged, / will not go into details,
put viii leave that with the governor,
the state board of pardons and the Gre
ator."
Continuing Mr.. Anderson recites the
1act that he has resided in Harvey
county 70 years and has been personally
acquainted with him (Rogers) during Is
or - years of that time. He then says:
Up 20 1880 Mr.. Rogers had always
peen Republican. AS he had already
taken an active part in that party'S af-
fairs, there seemed to be q fear among
the leaders that he would attain some
advantage politically over them, and
they soon formed a combination TO down
him. So far as his influence was con
cerned, they succeeded, and he went to
the ranks of the Democrats. From that
time on he advanced and affiliated with
the different liberal organizations bat
Ting for the principles which he deem
ed right. He worked hard and faithful
ly for all the candidates who were be-
fore the people on the POpulist ticket,
both locally, in state and nation. He
spent money Iavishly when it would do
the most good.
''At the time Jerry Simpson was first
nominated for congress, Rogers was
his most ardent admirer and supported
him loyalty in the campaign. This was
also true when Mr.. LeWelling was nom
mated for governor. Rogers has made
u les 1t
sitiOn to the Republican party, and ev-
cry means lawfully, and I sometimes
think unlawfully, was used to place him
where he is tOday-in the penitentiary.
Il myself have always been opposed
to the Democratic party, until last year,
and I never was out of the ranks of the
Republican party until last year. And
l was, during the campaign for preSi-
dent, in the states of Michigan and In
diana talking for Bryan and prosperity.
I'm fact, I was driven off the streets
of Logansport, Ind, while talking. Be
cause I was trying to get the people to
vote for Bryan I was driven out by a
mayor Pre- tenn. Since I have returned
home have been several times insulted
and aggravated by the party with which
7 once affiliated
''ATr. Rogers was probably too bitter
an enemy and too strong an opponent
to the party. facts which were the
causes leading not only to his prosecu-
ton, but to his persecution. So far as
can learn there is no disposition on
the part of Harvey county people to
place any obstacles in the way of par
doning G. W. Rogers, and believe that
any recommendation that YOU may
make that would assist in doing the
man justice, would rebound to your
credit"
Mrs. J. A. Renner, a friend of Rogers,
also writes to the board with reference
to this case. She says:
There Is no doubt that the janitor of
the building could have been convicted
on the same kind of evidence which sent
Rogers to the penitentiary."
The friends of Rogers speak of his
conviction as that of an accessory, one
of them saying The was never accused
of any crime"
Other letters which are coming in, in
dictate that Rogers friends will make
an effort to show the board of pardOns
and Gov. Leedy that the man is in the
penitentiary as a result of political per
secution by his political enemies among
I1oD17bIi1anE