The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-08-11
THE SUN
Ole QUALITY Of MERCY
>f the Proceedings of the Board of Pardons
I'm Session Last Week .:

bia County in 1895 OF murder and sentenced t.
DEATH was considered. After conviction Cain hal
escaped from Jail and lived In the state OF South
Carolina for nearly twelve years, leading sober
lawabidng life married and raised family and
accumulated considerable property. The evidence
submitted to the board raised grave doubts that
the murder was premeditated, and humorous citi-
zens Of Columbia County and Of South Caroline,
invoking the clemency of the board, he was grant
ed communication of the sentence to FIVE years ut
hard labor In tho penitentinry, to date from An
gust End, 1906 IWW
James Hill, convicted in Volusa County, IN
$685. of murder with a recommendation to the mer-
cy OF the court, and sentenced 10 life imprtson
ment. Hill was only boy when he committed
the murder and has served twelve years and been
Of good behavior During his confinement he has
suffered great impairment Of eyesight and lost a
part of ono foot He was granted conditional
pardon.
John Bryant, convicted in Leon County In 1899
of murder with recommendation for mercy, It
appearing that he had served more than six years
and been OF good behavior, and that he was only
boy when the crime was committed, and that his
brother, who was subsequently tried and acquit-
ted was the chief actor In the commission Of tho
crime he was granted conditional pardon.
Richard Hamilton, convicted In Marion County
in 1900 of the crime of rape and sentenced for
life, was granted n conditional pardon, he having
served six years with good behavior and the evi
dence presented to the board raising grave
doubt OF his guilt.
G. A. Yant, convicted in Leon County in 1900 Of
the crime Of rape and sentenced for life was also
granted conditional pardon, Many of the OFF,
Gals connected with the convict camps, including
State Supervisor Newton A. Bitch, and many
other citizens invoking the clemency of the board,
and 1t appearing that his health is much impaired
by his Imprisonment and his right arm broken.
Hamilton Griffin, convicted In Monroe County
IN 1903 for assault with intent to commit murder,
and sentenced to serve five years was granted q
conditional pardon. He mad served three years Of
his sentence with good behavior and was mere
boy when the crime was committed. Many citi.
zens petitioned for his pardon.
Nearly two days was devoted to the considera.
ton OF the case Of George Caldwell and Nelson'
Larkins, under sentence OF death for the murder
OF Hon. w. Eppes in September 1904, for which
Isham Edwards and they were convicted In Jan.
uary 1905, at special term OF court at Tallahas-
see. Caldwell and Larkns were convicted upon
the evidence OF Isham Edwards, who was hung fori
the murder Before his execution Edwards madcD
statement generating Caldwell and Larkins
Notwithstanding this deeth warrant was issued
setting June 9Th for their execution. petition
signed by citizens Of Leon and Duval counties
asking for a respite Of sixty days for additional
time for the examination Of evidence was pref
sented to the Governor who withdrew the DEATH
warrants two days before the date of the execu
ton. ''t-w
At this session OF the board afndavits purportl
ing to account for the whereabouts of the priso
ners the night OF the murder were presented FOUL
members OF the board, including the Governor be-
eve that while these aidavts did not fully estabn
lish the innocence Of Caldwell and Larkins. theyb
did raise very grave doubts of their guilt Covert
nor Broward announced to the board, after full
investigation Of the evidence that he had de
cided that there was such doubt to the guilt oil
the mon, that he could not cOnscientously issue ~
death warrant and that he would not do So even ia
the board allowed sentence to stand. until moro
conclusive proof of guilt WIS presented to him
The board considered that It was imposing hard
ship on Leon County 70 require It to pay the exL
penses OF he prisoners keeping them In the DuI
val County jail indefinitely, and voted to commuteI
the sentence to life Imprisonment Four member
OF the five voted for communication OF the sentence
In discussing the matter Of the communication oil ,
the death penalty in this case and the freuuentD
criticisms OF the board, Hon. ]. Emmett Wolfe
who is secretary OF tho State Board OF Pardons
said:
AS civilization advances sentiment in favor J
OF aboshing the death sentence Is growing mi n
the State OF Kansas there are fifty men under senI
tence OF death, and no governor be found whol
will issue warrants for their execution The numI
Der OF murders committed Almost daily In FloridaR