The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-22
And Other Criminals to the
Number of "a,
Are Trying to Escape Punish
ment For Crime Through
BOARD OF PARDONS.
Encouraged by Precedents the
Hardest Cases
Ask to Be Turned Loose to Prey
on the Public.

The state board of pardons has re-
ceived "a new applications for pardons-
1t is somewhat remarkable that among
these applicants for pardon are several
men who were convicted Of murder In
the first degree and sentenced to be
hung. The laxity of the Kansas law
saved their lives and now they think
that they ought to be released They
are probably actuated by the fact that
the board has recommended the pardon
of others convicted of similar crimes.
One of these applicants is Wilbur
Norton of Arkansas City. A constable
started to arrest him for running joint
in 1898 and the officer was killed. Nor
gan Wright and Norton were both con
victed and sentenced to be hung Now
Norton wants a pardon. He says he
was only Il years old when the murder
was committed and like all other pris-
OnerS at the penitentiary says that he
did not commit the murder
Thomas Morgan of Dickinson county,
is another prisoner sentenced to hang
who thinks he ought to be released. He
and a companion decOyed an old Ger
man named John Gaul out on a lonely
road to rob him of $500 and Gaul was
killed. The other man was tried in
Marion county but the jury held that
the crime was committed in Dickinson
county and he was released. Morgan
was taken to Dickinson county, tried
panion shot Gaul contrary to his ad-
vice but admits that he intended to
help rob the old German.
Two others who ask for pardOnS are
John z. Pierce and Elmer Reed who
were sentenced from Lyon county in
1888 for the murder of Thomas McMn
Ian, Topeka StOckman. Mcmillan was
killed on the railroad track for his
money. Pierce and Reed were tramps
and they were convicted on circumStan-
tial evidence. They have tried to Sc
cure a pardon before but have always
been turned down.
c. c. COnley of Linn county, was SEN
fenced to hang for the murder of James
MaDeS. The men had trouble about the
wife OF ConIey and Mapes was killed.
Mrs. COnley has been working hard to
secure COnley's release since he was
, convicted. He was sent to the peni-
tertiary from Linn county in 1895.
Among others who have applied for par
dons are Rev. Richard Quarels of Topeka,
who was sent to the penitentiary for lead
Moss of Montgomery county. who was con-
vcted of feeding strychnine to her one
Cherokee county, who was convicted of
manslaughter for killing Matthew Nc
The board has agreed upon but one rec
ommendatIon since 1t conXened at this
is the lucky convict. He was sent to the
burglary and larceny. A remarkable thing
about the case is the statement of County
Attorney Kline, which is on file before
was convicted on general principles" His
aged father has been camping with the
board during the present session and he
was rewarded Thursday by a recommend
alton for pardon.
The Marion Asben case will come up
again. The board takes a turn at that
case every session. Asbell was sent to
the penitentiary for numbering his wife.
who was found dead in the cellar of their
house with bullet through her head and
a revolver by her side.
The board will not again consider the
Willie Sell case for they have already rec
commended his pardon. The members say
that Sell viii be pardoned when the time
comes but they do not say when the
time will come He is writing a book
telling things about himself that one
cares to know When the board came
back from Lansing this week each mem
Der brought with him photograph of
Sell.
The session of the board will be a long
one for everyone whose case is on the
docket will have hearing.