The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-12
PARDON FOR BELCHER
THE GOVERNOR LIBERATEs HIM
 WHO DEFENDED HOME.
Belcher's Deed, as Stated to the Gov. ernor, Appeared Justifable and Order for His Liberty Was
 Issued Promptly.

"Belcher killed a man who taunted him with his. the killed mans, intimacy. with Belcher's wife. pardon is ordered.-W D. Jelks, Governor of Alabama" Behind this simple endorsement made yesterday upon a petition for executive clemency, lies a story of the most in. tense human interest. In the summer of 1899 Charles Belcher of Autauga County. shot to death John Knight of Autauga County, at the little railroad station, Bozeman. about twenty-five miles north of Montgomery. Notwithstanding he swore that he had been dishonored by John Knight, who had masked as his warmest friend, Belcher was convicted of murder and sentenced to ten years fall term of the Circuit Court of Autauga County and on November 2s. 1899, was convicted and sentenced.
 In 1899 Charles Belcher was an honest employed by the Marbury Lumber Con- pany at Bozeman. John Knight was also employed at the saw mill Belcher and Knight were fast friends. Belcher had a ly wife. The evidence showed that Bel cher provided well for his family and that his happiness was supreme until he discovered that Mrs. Belcher was infat- uated with his friend Knight.
 A religious revival was in progress at Bozeman and the lumber mill closed to give its employees an opportunity to at- tend the little church. Belcher went to itS u SIurL youHS Wllc anu tO prepare himself to attend the religious services with her.
 He found Knight there. The young mill man was stunned. He was sick at heart open air with anguish tugging at his heart strings. His life was ruined. His friends say he meant to leave that part of the country rather than commit mur, betrayed his friendship.
 Belcher wandered about the lumber town until late in the day. Then he met Knight at the railroad station, His pent up rage had reached the boiling point and he upbraided Knight for his infidel- tty. The records in the case on file in the Governors office show that instead of of- fering the semblance of an explanation had alienated the affection of Mrs. Belch- CT from her husband. 1t is said that he applied epithets to Beicher and his wife and openly taunted the young mill man drive him from his own home whenever he chose.
 Knight was shot down by Belcher be- fore the words had died upon his lips. who had gathered at the railroad station and borne away. He died within a few hours. Belcher was arrested
 There were witnesses to the shooting but none of them was near enough to the eombatants to hear the coversation between them. Belcher swore to the main facts but he was the only import ant witness for himself. He was con- victed of murder and sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary.
 This was three years ago. Belcher has been a quiet, hard working convict. He has served the State as faithfully as he served the Marbury Lumber Company in the years agone. He Is now leased to the Hand Lumber Company at Dolive where His friends waited their time. Then they pressed the matter upon the Governor.
 Recently the records were examined by the Advisory Pardoning Board. Discus sion was not necessary. Numerous citi- zens of Autauga County certified to the good character of Belcher. The trial the case recommended a pardon for Belcher. The Pardoning Board unani- mously endorsed the application for elem ency.
 Governor Jelks read the papers fin the case yesterday. When he examined ~tate mind that the story told by Belcher was the true one, he did not hesitate
 This pardon is recommended by the presiding judge and the Solicitor who tried the case" wrote the Governor. Tt Is recommended by numerous other citi- Pardoning Board. Belcher killed a man who taunted him with his. the killed mans, intimacy with Belcher's wife A pardon is ordered
 Today the pardon will be sent to Charles Belcher at Dolive and he will don the clothes of a citizen of Alabama He will turn his back upon convict life with anew. He was warmly endorsed by D. H. Marbury, his former employer, and he may return to the saw mill town where sorrow first stalked into his life.