The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-18
HAPPY OVER FREEDOM
YOUNG Ex-CONvICT CALLS AT CAP
 ITOL TO THANK GOVERNOR.
John o. Perritt, Who Killed . Man at HighnOte While Arresting Him Spent Day in Mont
 UOmePy.

John c. Perritt, a young man of Ge- neva County, spent yesterday in Mont gomery and he was without doubt the happiest person in the Capital City of Alabama.
 There was much to contribute to Per- ritt's state of mind. He had just been released from the prison of the State at Speigners by order of Governor Jelks, he had on a neat suit of civilian clothes, the first he had worn since last October; he was going home to see his widowed and aged mother: the sun was shining and he was free to act as his own agent.
 The young ex-convict was pardoned Friday by Governor Jelks. His was the case in which Mrs. W. O. Butler. a prominent woman of Chipley. Fla. ap- peared before the State Board of Par dons and argued for clemency. His was the case in which a desperado met his death while fighting the young and brave City Marshal of Highnote, Ge- neva County. who went to arest him. Perritt, who Is 30 years old and weighs about 110 pounds, was the mar shal. He pleaded guilty to manslaugh- ter, in the hope of securing an early pardon, and was sentenced to two years in the penitentiary.
 It was shown to the Governor that Perritt was a young man of fine char acter and that he was the mainstay of his widowed mother. After consider ing the matter several weeks the Gov ernor gave the order Friday that opened the prison doors to Perrit.
 Accompanied to Montgomery yester- day morning by Warden s. D. Fields of the Speigners prison. Perritt hast ened to the Capitol to thank Governor Jelks for his kindness. He expressed great regret that the Governor was not there, saying that he had stopped in Montgomery for the purpose of assur- ing the Chief Executive of his grati- tude.
 q have been accorded the best sort of treatment at Speigners," said Per- ritt, "and I left there with the kindest feeling for the officials. It makes a fellow feel good to get away and do as he pleases, though, and I'm going home to mother now" This was the thought uppermost In his mind. I'm going home to mother" he repeated. "She hasn't got anybody but my little brother and me and this trouble of mine has borne down on her. But l couldn't help it," pleadingly. Tt was my duty to arrest that man and he had me down and was trying to kill me when I struck him with my club. |" His face blanched and his voice was lowered to a whisper. T didTt intend to kill him but he died"
 mere was u lOHB ooACIiih pdhoC' Evidently Perritt Is that sort of man who may never forget the face of the dead in a grave by his hand.
 "Tll not go back to Highnote." he continues. I'm going to Chipley to look after my mother Then, refiec- lively, I've just subscribed for The Advertiser and I want you to do me favor. Please say in the paper that it is beyond the power of speech for me to express my gratitude to Mrs. Butler and the other good friends who helped me to freedom. Their kindness has overpowered me. There Is no way in which they can be repaid hut I'll bs ever grateful and I expect to show 1t by proving to them that man may be an ex-convict and still be a man."
 Perritt left for Gracevile, Fla. yes- terday afternoon from which point he will go through the country to Chipley. He will be with his mother today.