Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-28

had been decided.
Such was some OF the evidence
brought forward in this case where
Joseph +. Smith asks for a pardon.
The details Of the case are well
known. 1t took place In 1871. in
Charleston. Mr.. Josslyn was seen by
Smith to have money about him. For
that purpose he waylaid him, death re-
sulting in six days to Mr.. Josslyn.
Mrs. Josslyn was left, with six or seven
young children. The family later
moved to Oshkosh, where they now re-
side The following letter from them.
explains itself:
Oshkosh, Wis, July IL, 1897.
To His Excellency, the Governor. and
Council of Maine:
The undersigned residents of Osh-
kosh, Wisconsin. formerly of Charles
ton, Me-, respectfully represent that
the one is the widow, the others are
the children of Thomas s. Josslyn of
Charleston, who was murdered at that
place in September, 1871 by Joseph
Smith and the latter is now undergo
ing a life sentence for such murder
The evidence shows that the murder
was carefully planned, old-blooded
and solely for the purpose of robbery.
The two men were strangers to each
other, but. Smith had learned that
Thomas Josslyn was in the habit of
CARRYING i1nr.a Of
on his person. He lay in wait for him.
one evening, by the roadside, deliber-
ately murdered him. took his pocket
book and fled. He was pursued, cap
tured, convicted and sentenced. Not
single mitigating circumstance was
shown then or can be shown now.
Several applications have been made
for pardon heretofore. and refused. 1t
is again reviewed. the movers relying,
doubtless, upon public forgetfulness OF
the atrocious crime. The public may
have forgotten, but she who was de-
prived of husband and we of a father
have not forgotten and cannot forgive
and we solemnly and firmly protest
against any setting aside of the just
sentence of the law simply because a
murderer wishes to escape the penalty
of his crime.
Very respectfully,
MRS. S. G. JOSSLYN,
c. O. JOSSLYN,
L. S. JOSSLYN,
FRANK H. JOSSLYN.
Such was the reasonable and by no
means inhuman appeal.
Apntbor communion ton
was the following, a telegram from
Chief Justice Peters:
Portland, Me-, July 81.
]. b. Peaks, State House, Augusta
Me-:
l think the pardon of Smith would
be a most unusual and dangerous ex-
pertinent and should not take place
unless murderers generally are to be
pardoned, who have been imprisoned
as long as he has. The act was afro
cious. JOHN A. PETERS.
The hearing opened by the reading of
the appeal for pardon. written by
Smith on the grounds that he was in
fast failing health and asked that he
be released that he mi rht die with his
family and friends.
Mr.. Smiths father was three times
married. The petitioner is a son of the
first wife and Mrs. Pritchara, who was
present to plead for him, was half
wife.
Mrs. j. d. Smith of Veazie, sent j
letter which was read before the
Council. Mrs. Smith strongly opposed
her step-son's release. She stated that
she knew that he was deceitful, even
back to the time when she taught him
his letters" She said in the letter that
Smith had been sick before in order to
gain his purpose and she failed to be
convinced that he was very near death
now. She concluded her letter: For
the fear of my life, ! pray that the
addressed to the Governor and Council
of similar tenor were received from
w. ID. Blethen of Dover; G. t. Ed
munds of East Corinth; and Thomas
J. Peaks G Charleston.
DIR. Smith of the State prison, was
called on to testify as to the petition
er's condition. He said the prisoner
was suffering from phthisis and that
death might result any time. He could
not say that the chances were all
against him but that it was improbable
that he recover. He stated that the
prisoner was given every care that
could be given him in any hospital in
the State.
The case for the remonstrants was
opened by County Attorney Bertram
l.. Smith of Patten. He recalled Mr..
Josslyn as a man with whom any
amount of money could be intrustcd
He was a respected and diligent citi-
zen and active. Smith knew that
Josslyn was accustomed to having
money about him and accordingly way
laid and deliberately murdered him,
There was no question of the guilt nl