The Penn's Grove record., 1907-05-10
THE WHOLE STATE OF MISSOURI PLEADS
WITH ROOSEVELT FOR CONVICTS FREEDOM
A Jean Vatican in Real Life Has Aroused
the Sympathy Of High and Low.

Washington, D. c. - President
Roosevelt in a note to the Depart
ment of Justice expressed the opin-
lon that John William January, of
Missouri, should have his sentence
committed 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, 1 think Anderson's
nine years of life as an honest citi-
zen. hard working and of good re-
pute, 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 a pardon for this West
ern Jean Vatican, who has just been
recaptured in Kansas City after an
upright and prosperous life Of nine
years, during which he had proved
himself of the best citizens of the
place. Missouri is asking the Presi-
dent to give the man a 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
postoffice at Hennessey, Okla, for
the purpose of robbery. He got no
booty worth anything, but was
caught, tried in the Federal Court at
Guthrie, and sentenced to serve five
years in the penitentiary.
In prison January was a model of
good behavior. He was working for
had come to within eight months of
the time when he would be liber-
ated, when he saw a 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,
under the name of Charles W. An
derson, he got a job on a street rail-
way. He was steady and sober,
worked hard and saved his money.
Kansas City is a red-hot city politi-
cally, and the fact that he never
could be induced to vote, even on
questions in which the street railroad
men were deeply interested, caused
some to marvel, but Anderson, aware
of his civil disability through his pri-
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 to his
restaurant as he had to his railroad
work, and as before he prospered.
He had lived so long undetected that
he began to believe he was safe, so
he married and had M child, a FIVE
year-old girl.
He made enough money to buy a
better business in a more thriving To-
cality. He sold his first place for a
good price, and vas looking for a
new one when he was caught. 1t
happened that a man who had been
in the penitentiary at Leavenworth
with him met him on the street and
recognized him. The ex-convict fol-
lowed Anderson and made himself
known. Anderson realized at once
that he was in the mans hands, and
lost if he chose to betray him. The
man proposed that they go down
town and have some fun"
NO." answered Anderson. 81
have quit all that. I an married and
have a family. / don't want to have