Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-06-23

in the Oregon state prison for murder
Green confessed to have participated
in the killing of John Linn, in Lane
county, June 10, 1898. 1t was one of
the most cold-blooded and atrocious
murders that was ever committed in
the state and the principal in the
crime, Claud Branton, was convicted
and executed Green confessed, turned
states evidence and it was largely on
his testimony that Branton was con-
victed.
Many people have all the time be-
| lieved that there has been something
underneath and that Green was not
guilty, as his confession would indicate.
The trial judge and the district attor-
ney have always maintained that Green
was very fortunate to escape with his
neck whole, and this has kept Cover.
nor Geer, during his administration, and
Governor Chamberlain since, from con-
sidering an act of executive clemency.
A story has been repeatedly told dur
ing the whole time, but has never been
showed up in any official way, which if
true would have gained Green a new
trial, if not a pardon.
Green, soon after the murder, told
his uncle and others of the crime and
asked their advice. They told him to
surrender to the sheriff. He rode to
Eugene on a bicycle and gave himself
into the custody of the sheriff. The
sheriff released him and sent him |
home. He was subsequently arrested |
While he was still enjoying his free
dom Branton tried to persuade him to |
run away, but he refused, saying that |
he had nothing to run away for.
AT that time, Green who was a very !;
handsome and pleasant young fellow, |
was engaged to be married to a very
pretty Lane county girl, Miss Carrie /.
Steed. A young attorney was also in
love with the same girl. 1t said that /
Green, being the best and finest looking
of the two, was giving the lawyer a
close run for his money and had wont
out. 1t is said that the lawyer was
anxious to get Green out of the way
for keeps. The lawyer told Green that
he had only one chance to escape hang
ing, and that was to plead guilty. He
refused, saying that he was innocent
The lawyer then. appealed to the girl
and to Green's aged mother and con
vinced them that the boy would be
hanged if he did not confess and turn
states evidence. Tt is said that he
finally consented to do this at the i'm.
portunities of his mother and his fiancee
saying: eff 1 must, must; but I am
not guilty"
The sequel to this is said to be that
the young lawyer married the girl with
n few weeks after the conviction of
Green.
There is biblical story that Delilah
'an her taparing fingers through Samp-
sons hair and made goo-goo eyes at
mo ishaOitAoh BAaHt Whiio Snt WAS Dc-
raging him into the hands of the Phil
stines. 1t is not asserted that the
Steed girl was knowing partner to
his alleged perfdy, but that she was
,nly used as total.
In other words, CORTLAND Green is
loing time for life for the love of
maid.
The district attorney who tried this
'ase is said to be like the Bourbons and
hat he viii never relent. The trial
udge also is bitter in his opposition to
Executive clemency. Until these Off.
ials change their minds there seems to r
'e little show for pardon. This
Gems to be one of the "can't be
elped" eases.
Several days ago the Capital Journal
rinted something about this case. The =
rticle brought forth communication
n the subject from Frank G. Ferguson,
ormerly of the Salem firm of ManningI
) Ferguson, now Of California. Mr.. G
'erguson's e letter follows: IL
Compton. CAL. June IS, 1906.
'ditor Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Z
Oregon: $500. II.
1 notice in your issue of the 14th
'st. an article regarding the imprison-
ient of CORTLAND Green, from Lane =
Ounty, about eight years ago. Twas not n
here at the time of this case. but have
cen, reliably informed that his eonfes "
on was procured through the influence Ii,
nd by the advice of his attorney. who
ibsequently married HE "faneee. - "a
nd 1t has become common talk that -
he prospect of getting rid of him as -
val was very much desired on that an
eGoult. do nni Iarsn..all.r lr...u. -.