Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-17
FOUR PRISONERS
ARE PAROONED.
Action Of the State Board Of Par
dOus at TSday's Meeting,
WILLIAMS CASE GOES OVER
Made Special order for saturday,
March 10 Names OF Lucky ones
Three Applications Denied.

At today's meeting Of the State board
Of pardons, Acting Governor James 7.
Hammond presiding, the application for
pardon Of Thomas Williams. a life pra-
oner. was one Of the cases scheduled
for hearing. and doubtless would have
been heard, as all parties Interested
we're on hand ana ready 70 proceed, but
for the late h0ur at which the matter
was reached.
1t was stated that the reading Of the
yoluminous papers IN the case would
consume at least half a day TO say
nothing " the arguments OF Attorney
$. r. Armstrong and Judge Powers. who
desire 10 be heard for and against the
granting OF pardon.
Finally. upon motion Of Chief Justice
Bartch, the case was made the order Tor
a special meeting Of the board. called
for Saturday, March 10th. three weeks
from today.
The crime for which Williams was
convicted was the killing Of Joseph II.
Hutchlngs In the spring OF issi The
shooting took place on trail about go
yards south OF the old Copperopolis
ofllce--now the Ajax--near Mammoth.
Juab county.
1t Is cOntended by the prisoners at
torney Mr.. $. T. Armstrong, that Will
llams was unable to make a proper de-
Tense because Of the absence Of Witness
es. Williams was confined In prison
and personally was unable TO see that
his witnesses were present. Attorney
Armstrong further contends that Will
Hams lawyer did not exercise diligence
in the ease and that a continuance was
refused for that reason. Had all the
facts been developed al the trial. which
are now shown by aflidavits and let
tiers, Williams, II IL claimed, would not
have been convicted.
The family Of the dead man strenu.
ously object 10 a pardon being granted
Williams, claiming the murder was
cowardly. cold-blooded and deliberate
FOUR ARE PARDoNED.
The applications OF seven prisoners
confined In the State prison were heard
In open meeting and afterwards con-
sidered In executive session. or the
seven, four were pardoned and three
denied executive clemency.
r. J. Mills and Nephi Farnworth, con-
yicted at Manti Of grand larceny and
sentenced TO one year each on Decem-
Der g. 1899. We're pardoned on the
grounds Of previous good character,
recommendations OF officials trying
cases. their surrender 70 the officials
aud pleading guilty to the charge, and
good conduct while In prison.
Charles w. Ferguson, convicted Of
burglary at Randolph, Rich county,
on September I. 1897, and sentenced TO
four years; pardon granted. IL was
shown the prisoner had never before
been convicted Of any offense. and bis
application WAS endorsed by the judge
and prosecuting attorney and he also
was said 10 have behaved himself well
while In prison.
De Witt c. Nichols, the young one
armed man convicted Of burglarizng
the store OF Rideout & Grape at Sandy
on September 20, 1899 TO one years I'M
prisonment, was also pardoned.
County Attorney Putnam had doubts
as TO the young fellows guilt and re-
commended his pardon, as also did six
Of the jurors trying the case. Attorney
ID. o. Wiley made an excellent fight
for the prisoner at the trial, and also
made an able talk In his behalf before
the board today.
Orlando r. Mead, convicted OF burg
larry, at Castle Dale, June u. 1898 and
sentenced to eight years; application
denied.
William Miskimins, convicted OF
burglark at Randolph, Rich county, on
September T. 1887 and sentenced to
eight years imprisonment; application
for Communication Of sentence 10 four
years denied.
James r, Rhode, convicted Of adult
terry at Brigham City on February 20,
1899 and sentenced TO eighteen months;
application denied. The prisoner made
an excellent showing before the board,
and In his petition told pltiful story Of
how he would lose all his property II he
was longer confined In prison. Those
who heard the case as presented TO the
board today expressed surprise that
Rhode was not pardoned.