The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-06-21
RECALLS
CRIMINAL
HISTORY
Unexpectedly Harsh Sentences
Were Given Two Men
JURY FOUND THEM GUILTY
Governor Cuts Six Years from
the Heavy Penalty

Enid, o. T, June 2O.-The Eagle recalls
Z bit Of criminal history in the following;
Every now and then and individual
who has been found guilty by a jury re-
ceives such heavy sentence for a slight
offense that the matter does not meet the
approval Of the people in general, espe-
cially where the offense IS committed
Just such a sentence was passed upon
two young railroad men at North Enid
about four years ago. The writer was
not acquainted with the circumstances
OF the case, but viii try TO relate it as
1t was told today.
About four years ago when Mr.. Wo-
gan, a railroad contractor. was located
near North Enid, two young men from
Tennessee, each aged about p years,
were working for him. Their names were
1IcCIOud and Mitchell. A negro was also
working with the railroad force.
One night when the worker scOngre-
gated at North Enid McCloud and Mitch
ell got TO drinking pretty heavy and
would occasionally set 'em up to the
negro. who never spent but a little of
his money. After the two had spent their
last cent, as was the usual custom with
ranroaders before going back to their
camp, they asked the colored man TO
treat, but he refused, though he had
about s. in his pocket. Being well &C
quainted with the negro the two men
thought they would roll him, as they
call it. and forcibly took his money and
bought more liquor with it. The negro
didn't, at the time, appear 10 be mad,
for this sort of work was being INDUCED
in frequently by railroaders, but he step
ped up to the bar and drank with the
men until all the money was gone.
The three returned to the camp and
nothing happened for about a week, when
the negro went TO town one day, got
drunk and swore out a warrant for the
arrest Of McCIoud and Mitchell, charging
them with highway robbery.
They were brought to Enid and tried by
q jury before Judge McAtee.
The jury returned verdict Of guilty.
but supposed the men would receive in
the neighlorhood of thirty days on the
rock pile. but were badly surprised when
the court placed a sentence of ten years
each at hard labor on the men.
Attorney Robinson, their counsel pre-
scented q petition, asking for their par
don. but the paper was piEeonholed and
Mr.. Robinson soon after died and was
buried here at Enid by the other members
OF the bar.
Through the efforts of Samuel Sproat
of This city and W. p Kimmer, who was
one of the jurymen in the case, a petit
ton was gotten up asking that the two
mems sentence be commuted. The petit
ton was signed by about fifty of Garfield
couutys leading citizens among the
number being eight Of Ends lesding at
torneys. MIR. Sproat pesented the petition
20 Governor Ferguson and Attorney Rob
inson. and through his efforts the point
prayed for in the petition was granted.
Yesterday the papers for the two prison
ers TO sign returned from the penitentary
and Governor Ferguson cut six years of
each mans time TO serve and they Will
be free the first OF next January. Mr..
Spoat spent his own money in getting
the sentences committed.
This is the first time Governor Fergu-
son has commuted a sentence, with the
exception of one other case where a
small boy was the party. concerned.