Cañon City record., 1907-06-27

dered by the colored jubilee singers
under the direction of Chaplain Blake,
and was followed with a selection by
a colored cuartette, both numbers
winning a merited applause.
Warden Cleghorn introduced the
distinguished guest by saying that
Governor Buchtel would deliver a lee
ture and then make a short talk to
the boys
| The governor stated that he had
wanted to make the prison a visit
ever since he was elected to office,
but what with the Legislature, Denver
university and a lecturing tour on his
hands, he had been unable to come
until now.
Hereafter" he asserted, Il expect
to come more frequently and when /
get through with this talk no doubt
all of you will want to see me come
every twenty-four hours"
The governor then proceeded to
entertain his audience with readings
from Eugene Field. James Whitcomb
Riley. and Mr.. Dooley." by which he
moved those about him at times to
tears and at others to roars Of laugh
ter.
/ His readings diverted the minds OF
the unfortunate men in stripes from
their unenviabie condition and took
them out into the pure air OF freedom
and brought them In contact with
characters whose unconventional
goodness touched a latent germ OF
charity and good fellowship in their
lown hearts. The governor spoke
feeiingiy and sympatheticaIly to the
men before him and said that he
could not tell how his heart went out
to them in their distress and misery.
He said that he was the one man in
all the world that stood between them
and liberty. He said that he was
going to be generous with pardons to
those who had earned their right to
freedom by their loyalty to prison
rules and by repentance OF their
wrong doing. He said that on this
occasion he had decided to give a
pardon to a man whom he was con-
vinced was truly repentant. and who
had made amends so far as he was
able for his crime. He admonished
the prisoners to be honest and not
try TO deceive him in their applica-
tons for pardon. BE sincere in all
you do" said the governor and II
will be better for you. Love order
for orders sake and do not try to
throw dust in my eyes by represent
ing yourselves to be better than you
are. Tell the truth Mt all times, for
only in this way can you hope for re-
ward"
At this juncture he asked Mrs. Will
liams to hand to Warden Cleghorn a
paper she held In her hand. A ST.
lence fell on the expectant assemblage
as the warden unfolded ii and read
that "a full, free and unconditional
pardon" was granted to Christian
Kuelbs. No. 1885. The recipient I'm
mediately sprang to his feet and ran
forward and grasped the governors
hand in gratitude and with tears in
his eyes said This Is the day / have
been looking forward to for fifteen
years. The other prisoners cheered
vigorously and were Enthusiastically
glad OF the good fortune that had
come to their companion in misery.
The governor asked all present to
bow their heads while he prayed for
the fallen and petitioned the throne
OF grace for a blessing on the man
who had not for fifteen years seen
the sunlight outside the penitentiary
walls.
Kuelbs was received at the prison
from Arapahoe county July %, 1882,
under sentence of death for killing a
man in a saloon row In Denver in
which he was barkeeper. As there
was some doubt rs to whether the
killing was premeditated. Gov. Routt
shortly afterwards commuted his
punishment to life Imprisonment He
was model prisoner In all respects
and his excellent conduct and behav-
ior entitled him to a credit Of twenty
eight years.
i In a recent application for pardon
Kuelbs made a solemn covenant that
he would never again touch liquor of
Sny kind or would enter saloon,
bsA would make every endeavor with
, In hs power to lead an honest. sober.
! induArious aAd useful life.
TAeNpSsrnos md that tAe pAraons
. - y 1ng 70 0ive haA notAfng to
- .NtA tksas seAsiaersA ~ tAs heard
Aspar1unA s1Aa nnAaa oe thnse en-
\ 0eloa to oens11aeNAoon." - eAld. will
ssns = - dltset frea ~ warden.