The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-25
ASKGOVERNOR' HELP
Ed Turner and G. B. Clark
Held in Mexican Prison.
NO CHANCE FOR DEFENSE
They Appeal to Governor
Stanley to Intercede.

Governor Stanley was last night handed
two petitions, both being the prayers OF
American citizens who claim that they
are being mistreated and unjustly held
in a Mexican prison. One is the petition
OF Ed. Turner, a former Missouri Pa
ciic engineer, whose wife and children
reside in this city. Turner'S late letter
to his wife, in which his petition to the
governor is enclosed, proves untrue the
recent report that he had already been
condemned 10 be shot at Orizaba, Mex
leo. for causing a wreck on the Mexican
Central last March. He is still confined
in a dungeon with the worst criminals
that Mexico affords, and claims that he
can get no hearing upon his case.
The other petitioner is an engineer
named Clark, who is confined in cell
with Turner, and whose grievance is
equally as great as Turner'S. 1t is under
stood that Clarks family reside in st.
Louis, Mo.
The prisoners have petitloned Governor
Stanley TO intercede for them and use
his influence with the United States au-
thorities 20 get each of them trial, and
II not a trial, their freedom. 1t seems
that they have been denied both by the
Mexican. authorities, and are simply
wearing their lives out in the filthy and
dingy prison.
The petitions were sent In a private let
ter to Mrs. Turner, because any letter
addressed TO the authorities of this coun-
4-rr Int I'D Nv faa
tiles at Orizaba and held by them. When
Mrs. Turner received the petitions she
turned them over to Mr.. ]. F. Kirker,
who last evening presented them to Gov
ernor Stanley, who had just arrived from
Topeka It was not learned what dispo-
sition the governor will make Of them,
but Mr.. Kirher thinks that in the cause
of humanity and justice the governor will
act promptly. Mr.. Kirker said Ed. Tur-
ner had become a knight of Pythias.
but he was compelled to let his member
ship drop through his misfortune. For
this reason Mr.. Kirker is very earnest in
assisting Turner in this matter.
The petitions each ask the assistance
OF Governor Stanley and give a plain
trainman's statement OF the railroad ac-
cidents in which each was involved. Mr..
Turner's statement is as follows
''Carcel Publica, orizaba, Mexico, Au-
gust Is, 1899.
State Of Kansas.
Honorable Sir-I take the liberty of
bringing before you my case. and at the
same time asking you as a special favor
10 intercede In my behalf with the gov
ernor of Jalapa, state of Vera Cruz,
Mexico, to give me either a trial or my
liberty. / am an American citizen and a
locomotive engineer, and was employed
as such by the Mexican and Vera Cruz
railway. When, on the night OF March
g. 1899, I was coming down the Orizaba
mountains with light engine. No. s.,
and when about fifty yards from a blind
siding called Encinard, I discovered a
dark object ahead which discovered to
be another light engine. No. 26. 1t seem
ed to me that II was either standing still
or moving very slowly. 1 was running
about fifteen miles an hour, and the dis
lance being SO short, It was impossible
for me to stop my engine before struck
engine No. 26, the result being that the
fireman on No. rs was killed. Engine
No. % was run by Engineer A. Mckay.
who had neglected to light his red lights
or to protect himself or his engine by
putting out a red light known to engin-
GERS as a flag This was a breach OF
the compauy's rules. as the rules state
that all light engines running after sun
down until sunrise shall display one white
light in front OF engine and two red
lights behind. Had Engineer Mckay
compiled with said rules the accident
would not have occurred. The company
also employs a man as switch tender at
Encinard, whose duty II is to attend 10
the switches and give signals OF danger
TO all approaching trains. This he neg
lected to do, and he did not come out OF
his house until after the accident.
II was thrown from my engine. knock
ing my left shoulder out Of joint, from
the results OF which I may be more or
less a cripple the rest of my life. as I
did not get the proper treatment. was
arrested and taken to the government
hospital and afterwards to prison. where
/ still remain. and although five months
have elapsed since the accident I have
not been given a trial or any opportunity
to defend myself.
''I have n wife and three children at 3l3
Wichita street, Wichita, Kan. whom 1
am unable TO support on account of be-
ing kept I'm prison at OriZaha. and no
money 10 help me. as I have had 10 buy
a little food or starve. I do not consider
that was at all to blame for the acct
dent. yet I am detained with the other
engineer. not knowing when I will be
given my freedom. This is a dreadful
place for n white man to be in. They
give Us very little to eat, and we sleep
on the floor with the lowest class OF Mex
leans. who are murderers and robbers.
i have written to the American consul
at Vera Cruz. also the City OF Mexico.
but failed q receive any answer. They
may not have received my letters. for Il
Is possible that the officials might have
destroyed the letters, seeing them ad-
dressed 20 the American consul.
The governors address Is 'Senor Teo-
doro A. Dehesa- Jalaaa. Fstada Vera
Cruz. Mexico. Trusting Won will inter
cede I'm my behalf. AMI hop'nr n hear
something I'm the near future 7 have the
honor to remain one ~ yo,rr sr1ia-.s
EDWARD TURNER.
''Csrcel Publ,co. Orizaba. Nexi,,"
Clark's letter 20 the governor shows
that ne had an awful experience with an
engine which he could not control as n
sped down a mountain side. lie jumped
from the engine while Il was running
thirty miles an hour. and his fireman
was killed by remaining with the engine
until II jumped the track. Ciark's oeti-
ton and statement Is as follows:
gust Is. 1896.
asfrN.n Il IL -