Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-12
WESLEY ELK|NS' PLEA
Boy Murderer Writes Letter Civ.
ing Reasons Why He Should
Be Paroled.
Says He Will, Ii Released. En-
deayor to Become a Good
Citizen.
Farmer Near Manson Dies While
Driving to His Home.-Des
Moines Suicide.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times Republican,.
| DUBUQUE. Feb. 12.-The following is
a letter written by Wesley Elkins, the
Clayton county boy murderer who is
endeavoring to secure pardon from
| Gov. Cummins.
"Anamosa, Ia, Jan. 6, 1902.-To Cit
| liens of Clayton County: When /
was committed to the Anamosa state
penitentiary January II, 1890, at elev-
en- years of age I was made to under
stand that If / was ever again per-
mitted to breathe the free air of free
dom it would only be by proving my
self a worthy boy and man and only
after l had shown by years of exem-
plary conduct that the evil tendencies
manifested in the boy had been per-
manently eradicated in the man, could
with any reasonable hope expect the
people of Clayton county to respond
to my appeal for freedom. As soon as
came to realize the enormity of my
offense / realized my situation and 1
set myself to the task of acquiring tha
best education my condition would
admit of. for in education lies the
power which enables one to clearly
discriminate between right and wrong
and quickenS us to that state OF de-
Yelopment in our moral nature when
we know. to feel that right is intrin-
sically better than wrong. Given the
opportunities of the library and guided
and assisted by friends who took an
interest in my development, / earnest
ly endeavored by every available
means to fit myself for the employ
ments and comprehensive of men.
II have now served twelve years and
will be glad to have anyone thor
oughly investigate my prison record
and conduct. l invite the most careful
inquiry into the whole of my prison
life from the time that l entered, jan
uary IA, 1900. when but boy of IL,
until the present, personally, or thru
those who know what my record has
been, the wardens of the prison.
am certain that no one who will inves-
tigate with care my whole record in
prison will be inclined to refuse me
another chance in the world to redeem
the past.
ION the merit of my twelve years of
prison record and on the strength of
the inwrought change in my DISPOSE
ton make this appeal and hope that
the citizens of Clayton county will al
low that charity, which has been the
ideal of Christian civilization from its
beginning, to temper justice with
mercy
THAT I could not comprehend the
magnitude of my crime at eleven years
OF age, believe must be patent to every
enlightened observer. No natural par
ents would be willing to take child of
their own at IL years of age and clothe
1t with mans responsibility. No mat
ter what the child had done, it's tender
years would surely negative the theory
of it's full recognition of its accounta-
bility and the justice of infiicting the
extreme penalty of the law.
Il recognize the justice of a severe
penalty, but surely twelve years of suf-
fering under the sharp rules of prison
life would seem to have abundantly sat
isf1ed the demands of public justice. No
one realizes more fully than myself the
of my crime and no one has
ever more bitterly repented his crime
than have. But few men will be able
to realize the amount of suffering of a
boy confined over half of his life among
men. behind prison bars, shut out from
boys and the pursuits common to boys.
Mine has been a bitter teaching. II
have been practically alone in my sym
pathies and hopes. 1 have known but
few happy moments. but have tried to
be firm and accomplishing know
what my future will be, but have tried
by hard study to fit myself for some
thing better than convict's life
Il earnestly request the people of |
Clayton county to thoroughly investi-
gate my conduct, my present mental |
and moral condition, before taking any
action adverse to my release If you
will do this, l feel sure you will be in
favor of granting me an opportunity to |
prove my ability to perform Alright the
duties of free citizen. II released / |
shall with "all my heart and mind and |
soul and strength" earnestly endeavor |
to live in obedience to the laws of the
land. and in harmony with the law of |
God. and with the rightful claims of my
fellow men.
Il do not ask for an absolute pardon,
ask for parole or suspension of SEN
tence under such restrictive measures
as the legislature or governor may i'm
pose. invite the closest watch upon
my actions and If it appears that am
any of the conditions of my
parole, recommit me to the prison to
serve out my sentence. All ask is an
other opportunity in more congenial
sphere for full development along the
best lines. ] now realize my RESPONSE
bility to society and myself, and 1 am
firmly determined to devote my best
in performing all duties faith
fully and we'll
u. WESLEY ELKINS."
SUICIDE AT DIES MONIES.