The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-10-19
QUALITY OF
MERCY IS NOT
STRAINED"
Admire Makes Plea for Par
don of Emmett Dalton.
GIVE BOY A CHANCE"
Recalls Fact That He Tried to
Prevent CoffeyviIIe Raid.

Klngfsher, o. T. Oct. 18.-Hon. Jacob
/ V. Admire. in his paper. the Kingfsher
/ Free Press. gives what seems to him to
I be a jusudable view of the question of
the proposed pardoning Of Emmett DaI-
ton:
/ when the Coneyville bank robbery was
1 undertaken about nine years ago, En-
mott Dalton was a boy only about 10 years
old He accompanied the party, partici-
pated ia the robbery, was seriously
wounded. taken prisoner. tried. pelad gull
~, to murder in the sec0nu degree and
was sentenced to the peuitentiary for
life. te was induced to plead guilty by
the promise that his sentence would not
exceed twenty years. But. this promise
was not authorized and the life sentence
was pronounced. 1t is claimed and under
stood that Emmett Dalton was a very re-
luctant participant in this affair. and that
he was not guilty Of actual participation
in the battle which resulted i'm the death
Of four citizens Of Coneyyille, as well as
three of the rObber gang. Secretary VII
liam Crimes was United States marshal
of the territory at the time of this oc-
currence, and he has knowledge Of the
fact that Emmett tried to prevent the
raid upon COIeyviue by giving notice
OF its contemplation, but his notice was
received too Iate. When Emmett tried
10 dissuade his older brothers from the
intended raid they ridicuied him, charged
him with cowardice and so worked on
his pride that he accompanied the gang
on the fatal raid. He has been an exem-
piary prisoner and enjoys the confidence
and sympathy Of all the prison officers
who have been over him. His mother has
resided ail these years on farm within
four miles of this town She is now about
10 years Old. and is making a last fight
for the freedom of her boy. She does
not ask for an unconditional pardon, but
asks Tor her sons parole under the laws
of Kansas, so that he may have one more
chance 10 make amends for the great
crime for which he was convicted. If
Emmett Dalton had been q mature man
when this crime was committed. or if it
had been shown that he was a leading
spirit in its planning or preparation, or
if it were true that he was at that time
or since a hardened criminal. the Free
Press would feel no sympathy for him
and would not utter a single word in his
favor. But these things have not been
shown, and are not true. it is doubt
ful. even, II he fired a shot during the
Cofeyvile battel: and that. being a fool
ism probably q wild boy. was led into this
trouble by his Oldre brothers. is undoubt-
q long and Intimate personal acquaintance
with his aged Notwithstanding her to be
q good. worthy woman. having seen her
patiently carrying her great grief for so
many years-realizing the unfaItering, un-
diving and everlasting love of a mother
Tor her chid-aB these considerations
have great weight in creating a feeling in
our mind that the inestimable boon the
poor woman prays for could be granted
fo flnta tsrf,a
mands of justice. Give the boy a chance,
which he has never had. to be come an
honest and useful mani Is this asking
too much2 Is IL asking more than any
father would ask for his own child? is
It asking more than this poor. old woman.
bowed down and heart-br0l1en with grief
and shame, and for her child. Emmett
Dalton than any man would accord to
his own mother or TO his own son?
The quality of mercy IS not strand.
it droppeth as the gentle dew from
heaven
UDon the place beneath; it is twice
blest;
It biesses him that gives and him that
takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it be
The throned monarch better than his
crown:
His sceptre shows the force Of temporal
power,
The attributes 10 awe and majesty.
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear Of
kings,
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
Tt is enthroned in the heart Of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth show hkest
Gods
When mercy seasons justice.
I'VE doubt whether there IS man, (
woman or child I'm NinEfsher. where she
is so well and favorably known, who
would not rejoice u know that Mrs. Dali
tou's appeal for the conditional pardon