The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-13
co BACK TO CRIME
Pardon Board Find This True
of Forgers.

Forgery appears to be chronic
form of criminal tendency" remarked
Attorney General Douglas yesterday as
the state board of pardonS was running
through the calendar toward the close
of the afternoon. Then turning to the
other members he said: Haven't you
noticed that in nearly every case that
We have pardoned a forger or short
ened his term to allow him a parole he
has gone back to his old tricks and got
himself into prison again."
Yes" replied Chief Justice Start,
forgery is a pernicious habit and hard
to overcome"
''Why, Warden Wolfer tells me-" said
Gov. Van SAINT, that he has some fell
lows over there that are serving their
third term for forgery. They don't
seem to learn much from experience"
The board went through the entire
calendar before adjournment and fin
ished all cases in which any person de-
sired to appear.
The case of Adelbert Lawton, SEN
fenced from Winona county, Jan. %,
1897, for the term of fifteen years and
four months for manslaughter in the
first degree, was heard at some length
and some unusual feature were pre-
scented. LaWton, who is now only
thirtytwo years of age, was involved
with several other men in holding up a
farmer on a country road, near Pleas
ant Hill and while Lawton was holding
the horses by the head his revolver was
discharged and one Of the other men,
named Cook, was shot and fatally
wounded. The injured man died some
days later and Lawton was convicted
of murder and sentenced as stated.
An attorney, who appeared in Lawton's
behalf, advanced the theory that the
young mans weapon was accidently
discharged and the board agreed with
him that it was improbable that Law
ton intended to shoot the man who was
killed.
After hearing the case Gov Van SAINT
remarked: '"This is the first time since
I have been governor that have had a
chance to do anything for my own
county, and 1 want to vote for a pardon
in this case" The other members ap-
peared to desire further time for con-
sideration and the case was taken I'M
der adviSement.
The case of Norman w. King. former
detective in Minneapolis, was continued
at the request of Kings attorneys.
George H. Davis, sentenced from
Stearns county May II, 1903, to serve
five years for assault in the second de-
gree was pardoned. 1t was shown to
the board that Davis mind had given
way and his pardon was granted on
SOuOlllOn ludI his IrlenQS snail take
him back to his home in Indiana.
The sentence of Thomas Rea, who
was committed from Stearns county to
serve five years for assault, was com
muted from five to three and one-half
years to permit of his parole.
The application of Herbert c. Gale
hugh, sentenced from Hennepin county
for life for the killing of negro waiter
In a hotel, was denied Gallehugh was
defended at the time Of his trial on
the ground that the negro had insulted
his wife
Samuel Lenox, sent from Meeker
county June 10, 1908, to serve one year
for bigamy, was pardoned. The board
was convinced that Lenox was inno-
cent of intent to commit crime.
The board denied the applications Of
Rander Abrahamson. from st. Louis
County, Sept. 26. 1900, to serve ten
years for arson; Otto Van Maager, SEN
fenced from Ramsey county Dec. 2,
1902, to state prison on the reformatory
plan for forgery; David Levylord, sem
fenced from Hennepin county for
grand larceny to the state reformatory.