The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-10
STAYS ALL NIGHT
Willie Sell 10th to Leave His
Prison Home.
Gets Permission to Sleep There
After Receiving Pardon.
HIS FRIENDS THERE.
Women Who Worked for His
Freedom Congratulate Him.
Secretary drummer, Somewhat
Embarrassed, Delivers Pardon.
HIS FRIENDS THERE.

| Lansing, Kan, April 1O--Willie
Sell received his pardon from Cover
nor Hoch Tuesday evening, but by
/ permission of Warden Haskell, he
slept in his old cot in the prison hos
pita1 Tuesday night.
| Il don't know what to do. 1 don't
know where to co. said Sell when the
| pardon was handed to him. Can
stay here tonight, MI. Warden?''
| Warden Haskell gave his consent,
and it was not until this morning that
Willie" Sell left the grim old Kan
sas penitentiary for good 1t was the
| second time he had been outside the
walls for Fl years
It was nearly o'clock when the
governors private secretary. 5. C
drummer, arrived at the penftentiary
with the pardon in his pocket He
went into the warden's office with
Warden Haskell A guard was sent to
bring Sell As he passed through the
doorway he removed his uniform cap,
then. walking to the center of the
room, folded his arms and faced the
warden As he looked up at the ward
en- he smiled, but he didn't nod or
speak, for he was prisoner, and pris-
oners are not allowed to greet any per-
son or even speak
''Willte-Mr. Sell, mean-this is
Mr. drummer of Topeka" said the
warden in a voice that was rather
husky And the warden waved one
hand toward a big man who stood
near Mr. drummer, you know, is
Governor Hoch's secretary. He has
something here for you, believe"
Mr.. Sell. I'm glad to know you"
said Mr. drummer. extending his
hand. The prisoner looked at the
warden, then hesitated. He was still
the prisoner and awaited the nod of
the warden
TITS all right. wilIie-it's
you know. it's all right-that's all.
Shake hands with drummer" said the
warden.
The prisoner laughed. stepped for
ward and grasped Mr. Crummer's
hand
I'm glad you've come" he said.
s.n langhing. Il guess I know what what
for you for long time
yes, Mr.. Sell. 1 have your pardon
an unconditional pardon. Sell, you're
free Now, Iet me shake your hand
again.
For the first time. Sell appeared to
be confused.
Once more the two grasped hands.
then Sell turned and shook hands with
the warden. A silence-a rather awk- |
ward silence. followed. Mr.. drummer
was the first to speak.
And here's something else. Willie |
calls you Willie, don't
they2 The governor has sent you a |
personal letter. Take it over by the |
window and read it."
Sell went to the window, but he |
didn't read the governors letter He
had scarcely started before Fred c. |
Slater, an attorney who had accom- |
panied the warden and Mr. drummer |
from Topeka. entered the room. fol- |
lowed by four women Sell saw them [
He crumpfed up the governors letter, |
thrust il in his pocket and rushed to- |
ward the visitors.
why. Mrs. Boyce." he exclaimed |
to little woman WHO stood in the |
hlhy in h1F-
free, I've got my pardon. It's here in /
my pocket
The woman, smiling and tears in her /
eyes. put one arm up and patted Sell
My boy, I'm so glad was all she
said.
Mr.. Warden. Mr.. drummer. this is
hard for my pardom.@ Then the eTa priso
oner introduced the other women /
Mrs. c. w Goodin of Ottawa, Kan:
Mrs. G. L. Baxter and Mrs. W. D.
Murray of Kansas City Kan The
three women had accompanied Mrs.
Boyce to the penitentiary TO see Sell
receive his pardon Mrs Murray was
a school teacher in Erie, Neosho
county, Kansas when Sell was tried |
and convicted of numbering his father,
mother. sister and brother. Mrs.
Goodin was there also TO offer Sell a
position in her husbands bank in OF
tawa-
"And you all know Mr.. Slater"
added Sell. as he shook hands with the
attorney. Hes worked and worked
and worked for my pardon
Sell had been doing all the talking
The others. the women with tears in
their eyes and frequently using their
handkerchiefs, had stood by watching
his pleased boylike actions Suddenly
Sell stopped again. took the governors
pardon and letter from his pocket and
began looking at them
You understand said Mr. Crum-
mer as il he wished 10 break the
silence. you have an unconditional
pardon. You can go anywhere, do
anything. only believe you had better
let me read the governors letter for
you. 1 believe he makes a few sug-
gestions." Mr. drummer then read
the letter.
YOU Want to thank everybody who
has worked for my pardon" he said.
And please thank the governor for
was good Of him
Now. what are you going to do2"
asked Mr. drummer
Il don't know 1 don't know where
TO go tonight"
It was at this point that he asked
Warden Hasken's permission to sleep
IN the prison
In the hallway outside of the war
den's Office aboue eighty guards who
had gathered, waiting chance to bid
Sell goOdby. Sell stood in the doorway
and graSped the hand of each. calling
them by their first names. He told
each guard that he was glad. also that
ne was sorry because he was to leave
til the others had gone said: A.
1--WE brought your trunk. Willie
It's out at the gate Shall bring it
IN now