The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-25
GRIFFIN RELEASED AND GOES ID WORK Case Against Him Was Mol
 Pressed by Court GRlGGS WILL DROP CASE The Superintendent of the Alabama Great Southern Says That He Will
 Not Prosecute Griffin.
 Position Secured.

J. B. Griffin no longer languishes be- hind prison bars. but Is happily domiciled with his young wife and two-year-old baby boy at a boarding house on Fourth avenue. He says that he will go to work at once for the Bell Telephone company in this city.
 Griffin is the young man who was ar rested last Monday for breaking into caboose in the yards of the Alabama Great Southern railway and taking some food. which he declared he wanted for his wife and baby, who were starving On Wednesday he was bound over to the criminal court by Judge Feagin who, while greatly sympathizing with the young man, stated that under the law he could not do otherwise than bind him over. It will be remembered that the evidence against Griffin was convincing and that he admitted his guilt, but pleaded for mercy on the ground that he had taken the food because he had no money, could not find work and his wife and baby were starving before his eyes
 Public Sympathy.
 When the young mans story became known to the public chord of sympathy was set to vribrating in many charit- able hearts and Judge Feagin received offers from various individuals. several being ladies, to make Grifin's bond, which had been fixed at s15O For the young mans own good Judge Feagin refused all offers until he could get matters in proper shape for Griffin's liberation. Until he could have a conference with Fl. P Hefin, county solicitor, and dis cover what the latter's attitude would be in regard to Griffins case, Judge Feagin feared to release Griffin from the city jail as he would be liable to re-arrest on states warrant and would run the risk of being bound over by a justice of the peace The attitude of the railroad peo- pie had to be ascertained and the judge wanted to know if they would drop the case.
 A. Griggs, superintendent of the Ala bama Great Southern, readily agreed to withdraw the charges against Griffin when his attention was called to the situation.
 Will Drops Case.
 Tell Judge Feagin," said MT. Griggs, that I will have Conductor Hale drop the case against this young man and that as far as we are concerned no fur ther steps will be taken in the matter"
 Soon after this MT. Heflin called at Judge Feagin's office and, after hearing the views of the latter concerning the case, agreed with the judge that Griffin should be released It was further de- cided that Griffin should agree to live In Birmingham where his offense was com- mitted in order that he might by his future conduct have chance to effaee his crime from the memory of the peo- pie.
 At Judge Feagin's request a reporter of The Age-Herald went to the city jail and accompanied Griffin to the judges office. Judge Feagin told Griffin what had been decided on in regard to his case and asked him if he would live in Birming- ham and make man of himself. Griffin, who apparently was very grateful, said that he would.
 Judge Feagn's Advice.
 "It will be better for you to stay here where your offense was committed" said Judge Feagin. "The story of bad action travels far and the farther 1t travels the more exaggerated 1t becomes. So you re- main here and take care of your wife and baby and make a man of yourself. Be- cause the general public and myself be- lieved you told the truth when you said you committed crime to prevent your wife and baby from starving, there has been much sympathy manifested for you and your family by the good people of Birmingham. Now prove that you arc man and that you deserve this sym pathy."
 While Judge Feagin was talking Grif- fms wife and child entered the office and the glances that passed between the trio was evidence that the little family is an affectionate one. After thanking Judge Feagin and MT. Henin. Griffin left with his wife and baby. He took the little boy up Into his arms and showed great affection for the child as did the latter for him.
 Griffin stated to The Age-Herald re- porter that he had a night job with the Bell Telephone company and would go to work at once. Judge Feagin said yes- terday that two men had called on him in the morning and had said they would give Griffin work in case he had none.