The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-24
WAS THE WRONG
WAN PARD0NED z.
Two Men Named William Peasc
Were in the Penitentiary
for Larceny.
RELEASED UNDER CONTRACT
When the Pardoned Man Goes
to Fulfill the Contract He is
Taken for Itnposter.
RELEASED UNDER CONTRACT
Especial TO The Times-Dlspatch.)

Especial to The -Dlspatch.)
NORFOLK, VA, February Civilian
Pease, colored, was released from the
penitcntiary few days ago, and has
gone TO New York under the misappre-
henslon that he is another man. There
arc three negroes by that name and two
of them were in the penitentary for lar
ceny, one for five years and the other
for two years.
Mr.. John Hill. Of the Fourth Ward.
was Interested In the five-year man and
determined to make an effort to procure
q pardon for him and to have him re-
leased from the penitentiary. Mr.. Hill
procured the consent of Judge Allan r.
Hanckel and the assistance of Common
wealth Attorney John G. Tilton. by tho
recommendations he made to them of the
character Of the negro and Ivy the
promises he made in behalf of the de-
pertinent of the five-year convict. lie
presented the recommendations OF these
officers to the board OF pardons at the
-penitentiary, In Richmond, and asked for
the release of William Pease, colored,
under n sentence for larceny.
Tho members OF the board of pardons
examined the case of William Pease, the
two-year convict, and finding that he had
a good record In the prison; that he had
hut n few months to serve; that he was
a peaceable and well-behaved prisoner
determined to release him. provided Mr..
Hill would guarantee employment to him
for a certain time after release, 30 that
he would not be charge on the COM
nunity Mr.. Hill gave that guarantee
and William Pease was released.
.snt In Norfolk and went tn the
residence OF Mr.. Hill and declared that
he was William Pease. released from the
rcnitentiary. and that he was there ac-
cording 10 the contract to accept the em-
ployment specified in the agreement on
which his release had been granted. Mr..
Hill did not know the man. He asked
questions and not being satisfied. he took
Pease with him to the police station and
delivered him there az an imposter.
Meantime the negro was as much as
tonished as was Mr.. Hill. He did not
know why Mr.. Hill had procured his re-
lease. but he knew that he had not
committed any fraud or forgery. He told
Chief of Police Boush that he was ready
to do anything the chief directed. He
would go back to the pen!tentiary rather
than come I'm manner that wouI>. give
him any trouble hereafter. He said that
he had received SIS on his discharge. he
had bought pair of shoes and other
things with the intention, OF going to
New York. II Mr.. Fill had no employ
ment for him. and that he was ready to go
to New York whore he had friends and
where he could find work again in the
photograph gallery where he had worked
for three years before. He offered TO re-
turn the balance OF the money he had
si0-to the chief II 1t was not right for
him TO Keep the money. He said he would
soon be released from the penitentiary
on the expiration of his term and that
he would prefer to get his liberty in 4
way that would be unquestionahe.
Chief Boush examined the papers and
the records OF the men and found that
the five-year Pcase was rightfully con-
v,cted and that he bore an unenviable
reputation. on the contrary the man
who had the pardon was convicted on
doubtful testimony and bore good char
acter. together with the pardon. He pre-
sumed that the right man was released
and he had no reason for OBTAINING him.
He told him to go. William Pease went
to New York
William Pease Is still in tho peniten-
tiary and there is still another William
Pease in Norfolk.
The William Pease who appeared at
the police station was so candid and ap-
parently honest and his time of two
years was so nearly expired, that there
has been no harm done. Even if the
wrong man has been released, the right
man. has his Iif,arty