Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-25
CLEAR AFTER FIFTY YEARS
Pardon Comes from King Edward VII to a
Nebraska Citizen.
TRUE STORY OF AN ENGLISH BOYS LIFE
Devoted to the Army He Deserts,
Comes to America, Rises to Prom
inence and Finally sues For
and Obtains Pardon.

he assumed more than half q century
ago, the conditions OF which he found too
onerous to fulfill. He was put into the
English army on coming Of age, whether he
liked II or not, and he didn't like IL after
a short trial. He served a year with credit,
though, and then took French leave Of the
army, coming to America with his bride.
After fifty odd years of good American
citizenship, during which time he has had
high honor among his fellow men, being
once a member Of the Nebraska legislature,
he discovered that his desertion still stood
against him. Through the Offices Of Major
Church Howe, United States consul at
shenneld, he approached the throne with
q petition and secured over many obstacles
a free pardon from his majesty, King Ed
ward VII.
story of an English Home.
More than fifty years ago, to be more ex-
act, in the year 1S49 there lived in Derby
shire, England. a typical Engllshman of
middle age. who, with his good wife, titled
the soil and watched the hocks on the acres
which had been titled by his father and
grandfather before him.
Al this period two sons who had reached
the age Of IS and 20 years respectively we're
the pride of both father and mother, who
looked forward with great expectations to
their future, for they we're good and dutiful
sons, and as fine specimens, physically, of
the English lad" as could be found in all
Derbyshire. Being a God-fearing couple,
as well and loyal to her majesty, the queen,
they decided, with the approval Of both the
village squire and the curate, to give the
Oldest son to the church and the younger
TO her majesty's army.
After this decision the eldest son was
aa-N a. aaE-1I a-a H. H. t4r,o r.,AEvoA
holy orders and become a parson in the
Church Of England, while the younger son
was sent to service, e~nlisting for a term Of
seven years in the Thirtieth Foot of her
matesty's regulars, stationed at Walmer,
and received his personal number 1851,
Second company, Major Hoy in command,
with Sergeant Glen as color bearer. After
q few months of service the young man re-
allied that army life was not to his liking
and that there was nothing In It for him
He became discontinued and disheartened
and asked for a furlough in which to visit
the "old folks at home" and a sweetheart
whose parents titled an adjoining farm.
While relating the story of his few months
of army life, %recitlng the hardships and de-
privations, he is said to have complained of
the quantity and quality of his ~rations, and
that he was not receiving the Spiritual
sustenance" he so much desired, and for
which his soul craved. in fact, so much
touched we're his parents by this unexpected
manifestation Of religious sentiment that
they declared with much sorrow and regret
that a great mistake had been made, that
this boy Should have worn the clerical garb
while the elder son should have been sent
70 the army, but 1t was now too late.
Decided to Come to America.
Dependent and unhappy he returned to
camp and took up his routine duty as a SOL
der. One day a comrade told him OF Amer
lea and the advantages this new country Of
fered, and expressed a determination to
emigrate thereto at the end Of his term of
enlistment in the near future. The young
soldier listened attentively to his comrades
story and within the hour had settled what
his future course should be-he would also
emigrate to America. he would not stand
upon the order Of going. he would go at
once. He took his sweetheart into his con-
hdence and asked her advice. She approved
of his plans and promised to cast her lot
with his. Having served her majesty twelve
months, in which time he had done his duty
faithfully and won the confidence Of his SUI
perior officers, he asked for a second fur
Tough Of ten days. which was granted. He
returned to his old nome and within a week
quietly married the young lady Of his choice
and with her was aboard a bark on his way
to the United States. Arriving at New
York after a long and uneventful voyage
this young soldier, No. 1851 of her majesty's
army with his young bride located on q
farm in the middle west, where they re-
malned several years and prospered. In
the meantime he renowned his allegiance to
her majesty the queen and became a citizen
Of the United States. Twenty years later,
YuAth th1tw IlttIo e.-AI. 49,. $500. - -
Nebraska, securing a fine tract Of land in
one OF the best counties OF that state, where
they have since resided. enjoying the con-
fdence and respect of their neighbors and
fellow citizens. Several times was this SOL
der Of her majesty's army called upon to
hold positions OF honor and trust by the
people OF his county, and he has also rep
resented his district in the legislature Of
Nebraska.
His Past Comes Back.
Last July he learned that the last of his
ancestors had crossed the river" and that
there was left in old Derbyshire property
interests in which he should rightfully
share, but to do so would require his re-
turn TO England to prosecute his claim.
Then for the first time in more than fifty
years he fully realized that although a cit
lien OF the United States he was still No.
S46l OF the Second company, Thirtieth Foot,
OF her majesty's regulars. with six years
to serve. and while his reception would
undoubtedly be cordial. his detention might
be for a longer time than he would care to
leave his Nebraska home. Concluding that
unless a pardon from his majesty the
king could be obtained he must abandon
the trip TO the home Of his childhood. he
sought the counsel and advice OF a promi-
nent Nebraska attorney ian ex-distriet
judge, who was an old friend, and to him
eonnded his past history. The attorney be-
csme interested and promised to communi-
cate at once and place the facts before
Major Church Howe. United States consul