The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-30
PARDON FOR ]. ". BROWN
Convicted in Flathsad County for
Grand Larceny.
MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE
Had Always Borne . Good Reputation.
A WIFE Beaten Pardoned-An Ana
oonda Negroes Sentence
Reduced.

cptclai DlSpatCu 10 the blaEudfu.
Helena, Nov. Ex-Governor Smith to-
day pardoned John w. Brown. convict
ed I'm Flathead county in February,
1898. Of grand larceny and sent to the
penitentiary for two years. The COVER
nor exercised clemency In Brown be-
half at the instance OF n strong petition
from citizens of Flathead county who
expressed the belief that there had been
a miscarriage OF justice. Several we'll
known citizens of Kalispell also ad-
dressed letters to the governor urging
him to act. Anon those who addressed
the governor by letter were NJ. ID. Bald
win. an attorney; ID. n. Peeler. presi-
dent OF the First National bank; James
Conlon. a merchant. and others OF equal
standing. Attorney Baldwin gives the
history OF the case in his letter. ne
wrote that he had known Brown for
several years. that he had always borne
a good reputation and had contributed
materially to the upbuilding OF Flat
head county He has a large family
dependent upon him for their support
wrote Mr.. Baldwin. and. In my opin-
ion, the verdict OF conviction in this
case was not justified by the evidence.
In this belief many of our citizens join.
In announcing the pardon Governor
Smith addressed the state board of par
ions as follows: IT am petitioned TO
grant n pardon to John w. Brown. who
was convicted OF grand larceny In Flat
head county In February. 1898. and sem
tenced to two years In the state prison.
over one-third OF the voting population
Of the county Join in this request as
well as the jurors who tried the case,
and numerous Doc citizens OF kalis-
pell. by their letters. impel me to the
belief hat n mistake was made In the
conviction OF Brown and I'm fact that he
is and was guiltless of the charge. j
transmit all papers herewith and with
your approval grant him a free and un-
conditional pardon. to take effect as
soon as the law can be complied with.
The governor also granted a pardon
to Robert Kronmeier. who Is serving a
six months sentence In the county JAN
of Fiathead county for beating his wife.
Kronmeier's wife beseeched the COVER
nor to pardon her husband that ne
might look after his family. She said
In her letter to the governor that while
she had been the victim of her hus-
bands cruelty another had made the
complaint; that at the time OF h as
sault she was in an unpleasant MOOD
and provoked her husband. and that as
her husband Is a music teacher he can
earn a living for herself and children.
Some citizens also petitioned the gov
ernor to act. The governor
the pardon in this letter to the board:
Some time since one Robert Kronmeier
was sentenced to six months impris-
onment In the county Jail of Flathead
county for assault and battery upo his
wife. She. with numerous other re-
sponsible citizens, now petitions for his
release and pardon. While not condor
ing the ~offense. I think there may have
been some excuse. as the wife admits,
and I also him the punishment rather
excessive. For these reasons and the
destitute condition Of the family. i am
constrained. with your approval, &c
grant a pardon TO him and request that
nc be discharged as soon as the law car
be complied with"
The third man to be made happy to-
day by the governor was King Solo
mon. a colored man who is serving q
sentence of six months In the county
Jail at Anaconda for assault. Last July
during the course of a fight with an
other colored man by the name 81
Smith. Solomon INDUCED in a bite or
one of Smiths fingers. Police Magis
trate Fitzgerald. before whom he wal
tried and convicted. presuming that M
was a bad man. gave him the limit. 81,
months. Since hen h magistrate has
learned differently. In a letter to tn
governor requesting action in Solomon'
behalf he says he has subsequently
learned that the fight was a pretty des
perate affair: that Smith deliberately
placed his finger In Solomon's mouth
and hat the latter during a residenc
of IS months in Anaconda had conduct
ed himself in an orderly and industrioui
manner. Judge Brantly appended
note to Judge Fftzgerald's letter to tn
effect that while he knew nothing Of tn
case, he believed upon the Statement
made by Judge Fitzgerald that Solo
mon was entitled TO clemency. The gov
ernor accordingly cut down the dark
ey's sentence 30 days. AS this letter q
the board shows: ION the recommen
dalton OF Judge Fitzgerald. police mag
istrate OF the city of Anaconda, VIII
sentenced one King Solomon to si'
months In the county Jail Of Deer Lodg
county for assault in the third degree
1 do hereby. with your approval. oil
minlsh the sentence of the said Solo
mon by 80 days and direct that he b
discharged on Dec. IS. 1895"