The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-05-16
THE WHOLE STATE OF MISSOURI PLEADS
WITH ROOSEVELT FOR C0NVICTS FREEDOM
A Jean Vatican in Real Life Has Aroused
the Sympathy Of High and Low.

washington, -. ~. - 1ASSioeA1S
Roosevelt in note to the Depart
ment of Justice expressed the opln.
ion that John William January, OF
Missouri, should have his sentence
commuted at once or be pardoned
outright He wrote as follows:
Department of Justice:
''In view Of the statements OF the
judges, bank presidents and so forth,
who know him, I think Anderson S
nine years of life as an honest citl-
zen, hard working and OF good re-
puteA warrant us in committing his
sentence at once or in pardoning him
outright.
which do you think ought to be
done? Are there sufficient reasons
for not doing either?
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
The whole State of Missouri has
risen up in appeal to President
Roosevelt for pardon for this west
ern Jean Vatican, who has just ocen
recaptured in Kansas City after an
upright and prosperous life OF nine
wears, during which he had proved
himself one of the best citizens OF the
place. Missouri is asking the Presl-
dent to give the man square DEAL.
and there does not seem to be much
doubt that Missouri's request Will be
granted.
John William January, thirteen or
fourteen years ago, when he was Just
twenty-one years old, broke into the
postofice at Hennessey, Okla, lot
the purpose of robbery. He got no
booty worth anything, but was
caught, tried in the Federal Court at
Guthrie, and sentenced TO serve hVe
years in the penitentlary.
In prison January was mooel OF
good behavior. He was working lot
the good conduct commutatlon, ana
had come to within eight months OF
the time when he would be hoef-
ated, when he saw chance to escape
and took it. He worked his way
north, and after a time got work on
a railroad with a construction gang.
He saved his money, and finally had
enough to get to Kansas City. There,
Dnder the name Of Charles w. An
derson, he got job on street rail-
way. He was steady and sooer'
worked hard and saved his money.
Kansas City is a red-hot city polltl-
calIy. and the fact that he never
couid be induced to vote, even on
questions in which the street rallroao
men were deeply interested, caused
some to marvel, but Anderson, aware
of his civil disability through his prl'
SON sentence, held steadfastly aloof.
At length he saved enough money
to buy out a small restaurant near
the car barns of the street railroad
His principal customers were his for
mer workmates. He STUCK 10 nlS
restaurant as he had to his rallroao
work. and as before he prospereo
He had lived so long undetected tha'
he began to believe he was safe, SC
he married and had one child, hVe
year-old girl.
He made enough money to buy
hetter business in more thriving 10
cality. He sold his first place TOR
GOOD price, and was looking Tor
new one when he was causet. l
happened that man VINO had Seei
in the penitentiary at Leavenwortl
with him met him on the street AM
; recognized him. The ex-convlct 1ol
lowed Anderson and made hlmsel
known Anderson realized at onc'
that ne was in the mans hands, AM
lost if he chose to betray him. In
man proposed that they go Gown
town and have some fun. =,
NO" answered Anderson.
have quit all that. I am married an'
have a family. I don't want to nav