Omaha daily bee., 1907-05-01
FAVlRS PARDON
Executive Asks Department Of Just cs tc
Investigate January Case,
ESCAPED FROM PRISON NINE YEARS AGO
In Meantime He Became Respectable
Citizen of Kansas City and
Thousands Ask for His
Release.


Roosevelt. in note to the Departt tent Of
Justice today, expressed the opinion that
John William January of Missouri should
have his sentence commutcd at once or be
pardoned outright.
January was convicted some years ago
of robbing a postoftice in Oklahoma and
served the greater portion of a five years
sentence at Leavenworth. He then es-
capped, and, after nine years OF liberty was
rearrested in Kansas City and returned to
prison. Many petitions have reached the
president asking for his pardon He had
lived In Kansas City under the name of
Charles w. Anderson during the time he
was at liberty.
President Roosevelrs action followed a
visit of Senator Warner Of Missouri to the
White House early in the day, accompanied
by ]. NJ. Kennedy, private secretary t.
Representative Ellis of Kansas City. Sen
ator Warner presented to the president a
typewriter statement containing "a synop-
sis of petitions signed by $500 persons rep
resenting bankers, business men, doctors,
lawyers and judges Of his state. He also
told the president there was petition cir
cuating in Missouri already signed by 81, 100
persons asking for January's pardon After
the matter had been explained to him the
"
on the statement:
Department Of Justice: In view of the
statements OF the judges. bank presidents
and so forth, WEo know him. | think An
dersons years OF lite as an honest citizen,
hard working and of good repute, warrant
US in committing his sentence at once, or in
pErdonlng him outright. Which do you
think ought to be done? Are there sutii-
cient reasons for not doing either? (Signed)
T. R.
The Department of Justice, upon re-
ceipt of President Roosevelt's memoran-
dun, sent letters to the trial Judge and
the district attorney who tried Anderson
asking for a report of the case and a
recommendation ,as to whether he should
receive executive clemency. When these
reports are received the department will
make a report to the president. Until
that is done no action will be taken.
Wife Breaks the News.
LEAVENWORTH, Kan, April SO-A
dramatic scene was enacted here this aft
ernoon in the office Of the deputy warden
Of the federal pen!tenuary when Mrs
Charles w. Anderson" her 5-year-old
daughter and Robert January Of Chillieothe
Mo-, a brother of the prisoner, came to pay
visit to William January, alias Ander.
son, the escaped convict recently captured
/ in Kansas City. The wife carried the GLAD
tidings from Washington OF President
Roosevelts note favoring the pardon of tn,
prisoner, in response to the appeals of 49,
3 900 petitioners. Robert January came to re
new family tie that had been broken TO
years.
Mrs Anderson, for this is the name unde
which she was married, with her child ant
Robert January had started from Kansa
City early in the morning TO cheer tn
prisoner She appeared at the warden
office on her usual stated visit with n
knowledge Of the good news in store.
newspaper man met the little party AM
read the Associated Press dispatch from
WASHINGTON. Instantly light and color II
up the face of the woman. but she was to
overcome to give vent to her feeling f
words. Il cannot express my feelings O
gratitude" she finally said then hurrie
TO the office Of Warden w. r. McClaughr
to gain permission fer an interview wit
January.
Before permitting the wife and brothe
to visit the prisoner, Warden McClaughr
warned Mrs. Anderson not TO build up he
husbands hopes too high. He told he
that the presidents order was only a pre-
liminary step and that while he believe
the press dispatch containing II was tru,
ne nhA NOT YET betH pillClally uOllueu Ct IN
action
Mrs Anderson, the little girl and Rober
January were escorted into the deput
= warden's Once and soon William Januar
was called IN. Although the brothers ha
not met in yenrs and ouly the newspaps
notor,ety Of the case had brought the Chi
licothe man here to seek his brother toda
/ they recognized each other instantly
, fearful, happy greeting ensued, while n
wife and child stood by
Then the wife, nervous and excited as
result n the news from washington al
4 preached. After they had embraced an
January had kissed both wife and chill
: the woman began cautiously TO tell the pri
J oner Of the Associated Press dispatch.
January had previously been appraised
the great activity IN his behalf but ne WI
not prerared n hear so quickly such impOr
= ant results Immediately his eyes brigh
(; ened he stood erect and his whole mann
y changed He saw I=1self again in siel
4 OF liberty. in the midst OF his family ar
. surrounded by friends who held him in r
y speot. Again he gave way 10 tears. b
D this time tears Of 10y, and the little grol
y OF relatives Joined with him giving wa
y freely 10 their intense feeling Of Happiness
y The prison officials considerably wtthdre
" and a lengthv Joyous family conhab q
. sued.
y All goods sold at FIuhermann's Jewell
lo store guaranteed as to price and quality