The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1900-04-27
MADAM DOWD
WILL BE SET FREE
The State Board of Pardons Rec
ommends it on Certain Con-
ditions Set Forth in the
Recommendation.
Freedom Means Health,
Imprisonment, Death,
Say Several Physicians in Their
Affidayits : Vigorous Protest
by Seventeen Worthy citi-
zens-.She is Stillin Jail
Awaiting the Gov
ernor's Action.

Following is the text Of the opinion
nv the state Board Of Pardons in the
case OF Elizabeth Dowd, serving time
in the county jail upon conviction OF
running house of ill.fame:
"Ellzabeth Dowd was Indicted,
tried and convicted at the January
term 1900, of the circuit court OF Har-
rison county, for keepinga house OF
ill-famc, and sentenced to eleven
months imprisonment in the county
iail and the payment OF a fine of thirty
dollars. She was tried before Judge
Edwin Maxwell, acting as special
Judge. Shortly after her conviction,
the court still being in session, a
number OF persons petitioned Judge
Maxwell to remit the imprisonment.
1t does not appear who the parties
are, or upon what ground they asked
the change of the Judgment OF the
court. 1t is said that they are Dowd's
sympathizers, and possibly frequent
ers OF her house, but this is only
statement. However Judge Maxwell
declined to change the Judgment. The
guilt Of the woman is not denied nor
is the correctness Of Judge Maxwell's
judgment challenged.
Through her attorney, Mr.. U. ;.
Kendall, she asks that her pardon be
recommended upon the following
grounds:
"First. That she is in such delicate
condition as to render further contine-
ment very injurious to her health.
second. That she is suffering from
weak lungs, and unless she have out
door exercise, she will die during her
term.
Third. That the Jail Of Harrison
county has been condemned by com
mittec appointed by the circuit court
of Harrison county.
'.She files in support of her applica-
ton letter dated February oath,
1900. from DIR. NJ. j. BARTLETT, Jail
physician, TO Governor G. W. Atliin-
son, an affidavit of said Bartlett,
made April I'd, 1900, a letter from DR..
Col to the Governor dated February
oath, 1900, the affidavit Of said Col
made 3lSt OF March, 1900 the affidavit
of DR.. Nelson Peck made 3lst OF
March, 1900, and certified copy Of
the report of DIR. ID. p. Morgan, Col.
Henry Raymond and Chas. A. Short,
committee appointed by said court on
January 1lth, 1900, to inspect the Jail
and make proper report.
According to the view OF DR.. Bart
lett, Dowd is suffering from nervous
prostration, is pregnant, has very
weak lungs and her health will be
seriously injured by confinement. He
recommends immediate release.
Sin DR.. Coils opinion she should be
liberated at once, her health has been
already injured by imprisonment and
her continued incarceration will I'M
undoubtedly work serious results in
every particular. DR.. Col makes his
letter Of the 18th of February, part
of his affidavit OF March 3lSt In the
letter he gives more detailed and cir
cumstantia accoant of her condition.
He says she is losing strength and
flesh in gradual and marked degree.
Further that if her condition contin-
ueS, it will undoubtedly result fatally,
and that perhaps at no greatly distant
date. The Or. expresses the belief