Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-08
A LONG L|FE-STORY.
Another Chapter Added BY the
Governors Pardon Of Pratt
NEW ONE BEGUN LAST NIGHT
It Will Be Closed Amid Scenes
Far from the Old.
LOVE. DISGRACE, SORROW, MURDER
Repentance Has Now Come and Re-
form is Prayed Fora Fathers
Weakness, Sons Devotion, n
W1fe's Loyalty.
LOVE. DISGRACE, SORROW, MURDER
WIfe's Loyalty.

Governor Tyler's clemency yesterday
added yet another chapter to a life-story
as thrilling in many details as the ro-
professional story-teller. He pardoned
John Pratt, of Pulaski county.
The story is a long one. The first
chapter opened out in Pulaski more than
twenty years ago, when John Pratt, "A
respectable and well-connected young
farmer. married one of the prettiest girls
I'm his neighbOrhood. He took his bride
to a pretty home and surrounded her
with many Of the comforts Of life. He
was well-to-do. Industrious, kindly and
generous. BY and by boy was born. 1t
seemed the one thing needed TO their
happiness.
But il-luck came. John Pratt was a
good fellow. He allowed friends TO in
volve him in financial matters. This chap
ter of the story extends over several
years. Its end came when the couple and
their little boy had to remove from their
cosey home 10 a little farm back in the
mountains 1t was hard to make both
ends meet now. Barren poverty took the
place Of "A comfortable competency. Life
was hard.
HE BECAME A CONVICT.
For time John Pratt worked hard to
keep the wolf from the door His son
was his constant companion and help.
But Pratt's character was lacking In
some Of that sterner stuff which make
heroes Of men when misfortune overtakes
them. He began drinking He did not
often leave the farm when he first re-
moved 10 the mountains. But afterwards
he began 10 go frequently from home.
He often came back under the influence
OF whiskey. The more he drank the
harder was it for him and his family to
live. Finally it seemed impossible. One
day an officer came to his home and
showed a warrant for Pratts arrest for
stealing cattle from n neighbor. The
trial followed. Pratt was convicted and
sentenced TO the penitentary for two
years. That was a year ago
If living was hard for the Pratt family
before IL was harder than ever now. The
boy and his mother worked hard TO sup
port themselves and the four little chill
dren. He was a good boy. His father
had taught him to be industrious. The
boy. by reason OF having been so much
in his fathers society loved him 10 dis
traction. His grief was uncomfortable
when his father was convicted. As the
weeks went by his mother noticed a great
change. Instead Of being jolly and fun
loving as formerly. he became moody and
morose. She tells of how he used TO
often sit in silence for hours at night. his
head hidden in his hands. He was 10
years old.
He stunned the society of the few
boys I'm the neighborhood. fearing they
would ieer at him because Of his fathers
downfall.
DOUBLE MURDER.
one day he was thrown with several
boys OF his own age Something was
said which caused hard words. One Of
the BOYS called young Pratt the son OF
a thief. Pratt knocked him down. The
boy sprang TO his feet, and. Jerking a
pistol from his pocket. placed II almost
against young Pratt's body and fired.
Pratt seized the pistol and shot his as
sailant through the heart. The boy drop
ped dead i'm his tracks. Pratt walked off
half dozen steps and fell dead. They
took him home 10 his mother in a few
hours.
The woman was nearly crazed. But she
went to work TO support herself and lit
tie ones. She had TO work in the fields
like a man. Starvation was always at
the door step.
A few weeks ago some friends became
interested in her case and her husbands
They gave her sum Of money sufficient
10 take her to far-distant State, where
she had relatives. She spent a portion Of
the money for tickets for herself ana
four little children.
The mother and her brood reached
Richmond early yesterday morning. They
had travelled all night. Without looking
for breakfast they hurried TO the Cover
nor's Mansion.
IN THE GOVERNORS LIBRARY.
Governor Tyler was in the library. just
starting down to breakfast, when he
heard the sound Of children's feet I'm the
hail. The mother and four little ones
came in through door unannounced.
The woman at once threw herself on
her knees and began an incoherent story
of her sorrows. The Governor tried in
vain 10 stop her and TO quiet her.
Finally Mrs. Tyler came In. She sue
ceeded in making the woman sit down
and talk more coherently. She had some
food brought up from the breakfast-room
for the mother and children.
Governor Tyler promised the woman 10
look into her husbands case. He obtain
ed the papers and went over them care
fully. Then he sent for Hon. ID. S Pol
lock, member Of the House from Pulaski.
The latter gave strong reasons for the
pardoning Of Pratt The Governor had
the pardon made out. Pratts condition
al pardon had been recommended by the
board.
Upon the occasion OF the womans visit |
TO the Mansion tho Governor gave her n
pass to the penitentiary to see her hus-
band She spent some hours with him.
FREED AT LAST.
The woman came TO the Governors Of |
flee Yesterday afternoon. Governor Ty |
lers voice grows husky with emotion rs |
he speaks OF her JOY when he told her |
her husband was a free man.
A few minutes later woman was |
seen. accompanied by four little children,
through the Square In the direc-
ton of the pententiary. In her bosom
she carried tho Governors pardon for her
husband In few minutes II was In the
hands OF the prison officials. And then
the husband had his wife and his niue
ones In his arms. The family iett the
prison together
r,l.,. ,.ar.. toyafher aboard SOUTH Il