The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-07
A MURDERER PAROONED
Harry V. Grove May Get Off
With Serving Three Years.
THE GOVERNORS REASONS
He Thinks Grove Acted in Selt-Defense
Eleven of the Jurors Ask for tho
Pardon = Crime for Which
He Is in the Pen.
Special Dispatch to the Standard.

Special Dispatch to the Standard.
Helena, Aug. Ex-Governor Smith to-
day pardoned Harry v. Grove. who
killed James Morgan at Great Falls.
March IL. 1895. and was sentenced to the
penitentiary for 10 years for man
slaughter. The papers in the case are
voluminous, showing that Grove has a
few friends in this state and in Iowa.
where he was reared. Citizens of Great
Falls and of Fort Madison, Iowa, sent
both letters and petitions to the exec
utive office. These began to arrive dur
ing Governor Richards administration,
but he declined TO act. Efforts to pro-
cure Groves release were resumed
when Governor Smith assumed his Of
fice. He too declined to interfere at
first. and after repeated representations
consented to take w the case lately
with the result that he saw his way
clear TO grant the pardon today. an
nouncing mis- action in the following let
ter TO the state board of pardons:
After an exhaustive examination Of
the evidence taken in the case of the
state against Harry Grove, sentenced
to the state prison for ten years for
manslaughter from Cascade county,
June IL, 1895, and after a careful investi-
cation of the letters and petitions nlcd
asking for his pardon. / have come to
the conclusion that executive clemsncy
may. with propriety, be extended to
this young man for the following rea-
sons:
First am persuaded that he felt
his action was necessary TO saw his
own life.
"Second-His pardon is asked for by
IL of the jurors who tried him.
"Third-His pardon is urged by all
the county and city officials and most
of the people of Great Falls and vicln-
ity.
"Fourth-His health is greatly i'm
paired and he is said to be suffering
from pulmonary complaints.
"Fifth-His record at the prison is
good.
"Sixth-His mother is undoubtedly
upon n sick bed from which she cannot
recover.
"Seventh-His past record as a young
man m his age call for consideration
at my hands.
Fol the reasons above enumerated,
i am impelled to grant him a free and
unconditional pardon, subject to your
approval, and request that he be dis
charged September II. 1898, just three
years n three months from date OF
conviction. being more than half the
time of his sentence"
At the time he committed the crime,
Grove was employed in the Great
Northern shops at Great Falls. The
evening before the shooting he and
Morgan had had some difficulty in a
saloon. Morgan had knocked him down
and plainly demonstrated his physical
superiority. At the instance of a friend
Grove bought a cheap pistol of a pawn
broker i'm order to defend himself. The
next day. March IL, as he m his
friend were crossing the railroad bridge
10 West Great Falls. they encountered
Morgan. The latter expressed a desire
to renew hostilities, knocking Grove
down. As he lay upon the bridge
Grove pulled the pistol and fired at his
antagonist, inflicting a u from
which Morgan soon died. Grove gave
himself Up. His trial and conviction
followed. Self-defense, coupled with
Groves previous good reputation. as
we'll as the standing of his father and
family in Fort Madison. Iowa. are prob
ably all that saved Grove from murder
in the second degree and a life SEN
tence. His conviction has nearly killed
his mother, who was always an invalid.
His father, who is a machinist by trade,
has been indefatigable in his efforts TO
procure a pardon, having made several
trips to Montana for that purpose. He
is here now for that purpose and is a
pretty happy man tonight.
Some of the leading citizens of Fort
Madison, Iowa. sent letters and petit
lions to the governor. among them be-
ing an official of the Atchison road.
The petition from Great Falls is equally
strong. Among the Great Falls people
who addressed the governor are James
Donovan, Paris Gibson, ex-Mayor
Webster, Largent & Huntoon. his coun-
sci, G. ii. Benton, the judge who pre-
sided at his trial and sentenced him.
Sheriff Proctor and others. Editor Bole
of the Tribune refused TO sign the petit
tion on general principles and says so
IN a letter to Grove father. which
Benton addressed the governor as fol-
lows:
Application will be made for the
pardon Of Harry Grove. sentenced by
me when judge of this district. for
manslaughter. Groves record prior to
coming TO Montana Is said TO have
been good. My impression from the
evidence was that he was rightly CON
victed. IL the object OF Imprisonment
is to reform and not to punish. then
from / can learn the object Of the
law has been contaminated. l can only
recommend his release upon that
ground, excepting, perhaps, the fact
that his mother. who is an invalid. is
a greater sufferer from his detention
than is the son, and is entitled to more
consideration"
Paris Gibson wrote as follows: "Har-
Grove Of Great Falls. who was sen:
to the penitentiary about three years
clemency. The circumstances OF his
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