The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-12

Frank Funk, kandiyOhi County,
Serving Life Sentence for Muir
der, May Feel the Mercy of the
ency-MinneapOIis CoIOred WOm-
nm Sent Up by Mistake PardOned.
The state board of pardons held an au-
dience with hundred or more Minenapo-
lis cii2ens yesterday afternoon. who
came over in two special interurban ears
to back up the application for commu-
tation Of sentence made by ex-Alderman
George Durham through his attorneys
Mr. Durham was sentenced by the Min
neapolis district court last fall to seven
years in the state prison for soliciting a
hfibe frcm the contracting firm of Hal
Yerson, Richards & Co.
The delegation filed into the governor s
private office, where the board was hold
ing its session, completely Filing the of
flee and anteroom. The first plea was
made for Mr. Durham by T.. E Blinn.
alderman from the Third ward, who as
serted that for forty years Mr.. Durham
had lived in MINNEAPOLIS. and previous
to his conviction his reputation had not
been impugned. Mrs. Durham was an
invalid, and her two sons were taking
care of her. but owing TO the peculiar
nature OF Mr.. Durnam's business. the
boys were unable to successfully carry it,
on. He urged the pardon for humanita-.
rfan reasons, as the prisoners family
needed his support. and both he and his
wife felt deeply the disgrace of his con-
finement.
Attorney Moves. who defended Mr.. Dur
nam during the trial. spoke briefly in
behalf of his former client, saying that
ii George Durham was confined for the
full term of his sentence lie could not
be punished any more than he had been
The board in executive session took up
the application and decided to take the
matter under advisement for ten days.
Humphrey Barton appeared for Frank
Funk, of Kandiyohi county, who is Serv
ing a life sentence for killing his wife.
Mr.. Barton made statement of the case.
followed by Judge Start, who read notes
which lie had taken from the testimony,
and papers accompanying the application
for Communication of sentence. Funk COM
mitted the crime in 1887, after protract-
ed spree, and was supposed to have been
demented. as he made an attempt on his
own life, and the next day in jail he fail
ed to remember anything that had trans
pired the day before, and when told that
he had killed his wife made an impressive
demonstration. His people live in Penn
sylvania, and the application Tor pardon
bore the Endorsements of Senator Quay.
Gov. Hastings, and many other prominent
Pennsylvania people. The board laid the
matter over until today, pending further
investigation.
The sentence of Joseph Sterr, of Nor
rison county, sent up for five years for
carnal knowledge Of a child, was COM
muted to two years, upon the recon-
menda ton of the prosecuting attorney
and trial judge.
The case of Fred Whitaker, of Ramsey
county. was denied without prejudice.
The case of James Long who was sent
up for life from Traverse county for muir
der, was continued Longs physical
condition is very precarious and as he
canont live much longer the prison peo--
pie have no objections to getting rid Of
him. 49, 80.
Clara Adams. II Minneapolis colored
woman, serving a. reformatory sentence.
was given a full pardon She was sent
up last fall for grand larceny. She was
charged with stealing money from
man. 1t was established to the satisfac-
ton of the board that it was a case of
mistaken identity; and that the Adams
woman was innocent.
The sentence of G. R: Rose was com
muted from fifteen to nine years. He
was sent up for carnal knowledge of a
child
The following applications were denied:
James -Peppin, ]. e. Day, D. w. Kenne-
dy. David Peterson, Albert Hillman, Har-
ry Williams, John c. Haumesser, Robert
Bean and Andrew Meyers.