New-York tribune., 1900-06-24
A CONVICT'S CAREER.
ESCAPED FROM INDIANA, PRISON AND
BEGAN A NEW LIFE IN PHILA-
DELPHIA WHY PARDON
WAS NOT ISSUED

Indianapolis, June % (SpeciaD.-A record which
was made up in the office of Governor Mount yes
terday, coupled with statement of facts made by
his private secretary, contains story of more
than ordinary interest and one which is by no
means common in criminal annals.
Eight years Edward A. Cautey
plOyed by the Longcline Insane Hospital in the
capacity of stenographer and was regarded as
a young man Of more than ordinary intelligence
IN connection with his place certain moneys came
into his hands and suspicion excited against
him. and investigation proved him to be
embezzler and forger He tried and sentenced
to the Michigan City Prison for three years but so
won on the prison management by his polite man
ners that he made "trusty." and
permitted 10 go outside the walls at will One day
he succumbed TO the temptation and escaped, and
nothing heard of him for about three years.
then learned that he had gone Chicago
after leaving the prison. and had worked in e
Factory In that city. but subsequently went East.
Where all trace of him had been lost.
Just before the close of Governor Matthews's
term an application submitted to the Ex-
ecutive for Cautleys pardon It was accompanied
by letters from a number of prominent business
men OF an Eastern city, who testified his faith
fulness and honesty. and with these recommenda-
tions came history OF his life by Cautley him
self He said that he had gone from Chicago to
Philadelphia. where he had secured employment
as a stenographer in a railroad office, and had
been advanced from place 70 place till he then
the owner of considerabe property. and promi-
nently identified with the ctty's interests He
said that he had married under an assumed name
and one child had blessed the union. He appealed
to the Governor 10 pardon him, and thus relieve
him from the constant fear of being arrested and
returned 10 prison, and said that he had secured
the testimonials to his character. and could for
ward hundreds of others If they should be required
He pleaded with the Governor not to betray his
secret. and pointed the modification that II
would occasion him were it known that he was
convict
The Governor answered his letter and congratu-
lated him upon the excellent record that he had
made, but regretted that he could not comply with
his request for pardon. He said 1t was a rule OF
the office not to consider application for a par
don by one who had escaped from the prison, and
that Cautley could expect clemency only after re-
turning and submitting himself the law. While
this rule that would not admit of any ex-
ceptions said the Governor, he would respect the
wish of the applicant in consideration of his
changed life, and would not make public the name
under which he was then living, would any
effort be made by the Executive office to appre-
hend him. Cautley replied TO the Governors let
ter admitted the Justice of the rule which denied
pardon TO escaped criminals but did not manifest
any desire 10 return and surrender himself and
take the chances of pardon. for the Governor
had refrained from saying what he would do II
Cautley should return to prison.
When Governor Mount succeeded to the office in
1887. the retiring Executive gave him a history of
the case, and added his recommendation TO that
dtioned however that Cautley should first come
TO Indiana and surrender himself at the prison.
For nearly four years the has stood In this
way. the State Executive refusing to consider the
granting of a pardon so long as Cautley occupied
the position of an escaped convict. and Cautley re-
naming away because he could secure no promise
of pardon If he should surrender. Governor
Mount, like Governor Matthews. however. respect
ed the confidence that Cautley had reposed In him,
and. although both Executives knew the name
llrdP VbiC iCh he was liNu and tha MIA Of b{S
residence, neither cared to take any steps have
him arrested. In fact both of them believed that
the Imprisonment of Cautley had taught him a
lesson, and that of it had come conditions
which best both for him and society and
neither had any desire to see him again in prison.
though they could afford set a precedent by
pardoning him while he still at large.
Some weeks ago Cautey's wife fell sick, and 1t
was decided to bring her to a Western health re-
sort and he came along with her. At about the
time his aged mother stricken with
paralysis, and the son longed to her before she
died. He had been in communicat ton with mem
self at his old home where he would be certain to
be recognized and, possibly, arrested. He again
Department but with the same result. He was
told that the Governor was satisfied that he had
prison, and that society better off with him
rule Of the Office woud not admit Of any oex excep eIe
tions, and he could not be pardoned tn he sur
rendered himself. No promise held out for a
pardon If he did. and Cautley was ma urally per-
picked at the situation He satisfied that he
could live on; his days in his Eastern home. and
would take the trouble TO arrest him. but
that not what ne wanted. He wanted 20 be
free visit his old home and friends, and so long
the pardon withheld he not free to do
this.
The dangerous Illness OF his old mother Induced
him to act On Monday he appeared at the Mich
igan City Prison and formally surrendered himself
the warden That official communicated the
from the prison. after having remained In n cell
for some twenty-four hours. Under the conditions
OF the parole he Is placed probation for six
months and at the end Of that time IL he deports
himself well. pardon will be granted. As soon
the parole was granted Cautley hastened to
the bedside OF his mother and had the satisfaction
of seeing her before she died. OF course the Gov
of six months for ne is satisfied that
Of the parole will not be violated and this would
have heen done five years ago could Cautley have
brought himself TO the point Of surrendering TO the
prison officials.
1t is said at the Governors Office that Cautley is
man Of considerable wealth, and is engaged In
n lucrative business. He married several years
ago, and, though under assumed name IL was
not without the knowledge of his wife who
Informed OF the fact that he had been in prison
and had escaped II ia said that his wife is the
daughter OF a wealthy manufacturer and that
cautley employed by the latter when he
the daughter. The letters which the
and business, but II is not clear from them that
they were ever informed of Cautley's past life.
They refer TO him under his assumed name. speak
OF their long acquaintance with him and testify to
his high character and honorable life IL Is pos
sihle that the letters obtained without d.
vuiging the to be made OF them in so far as IL
related to a pardon. One of the letters Is from
Russell II. COnWeu the lecturer