The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-10-25
HAS ABUSED
PARDON POWER
DEMOCRATS OF Carroll COUNTY
ARE UP M ARMS AGAINST
PATTERSON.
.TURNEDOUT "BOOTLEGGER" king
Governors clemeney Ts Notorious
Criminals More Than They
Can stand.

. HoNllNGDON, Tennss Oct. "a
= The race for the gubernatorial nom
n nation between Senator e. w. Ca
= mack and Governor Patterson win b
+ watched with much interest by th
}. democrats throughout this section
/ and already speculation is rife a. +
: whether the two will meet in join
discussion.
, 1t Is predicted that such a canvas
would draw record-breaking crowds
} and the supporters of both gentlemen
are anxious for 1t. The Carmack fol
lowers appear to be more confident o.
the outcome of joint debate than dc
the supporters of Governor Patterson
| although they claim the governor can
hold his own with the best of them
1t seems to be foregone conclusion
i that Carroll county is overwhelmingly
In favor of Carmack for governor, and
a prominent democrat, who is in a
position to judge, stated that he would
carry the county by at least three to
/
one votes.
Governor Patterson's abuse of the
pardoning power has made him many
enemies. Carroll county has had
full dose of his leniency toward GRIM
inals, and some Of the strongest ad-
herents of law and order are sick at
heart.
For instance, the pardon of Will Nc
Cauley, negro "bootlegger." Nc
Cauley had served one sentence in the
county work-house for "bootIegging"
whisky, and also term in the federal
prison at Memphis on the same
charge. No sooner was he released at
Memphis than he returned Hunting
don and again began plying his voca-
ton. He was indicted and convicted
and sentenced to another term in the
county workhouse. He only served
part of his sentence, when he was
pardoned by Governor Patterson. Nc
Cauley was known throughout this
section, as the king of Bootleggers,"
and carried on the business so ex-
.ensively that he was able to erect
himself nice home and nicely fur
fish the same. He ordered his whis-
~ By the barrel and did landoffice
llsiness for year or more before he
vas apprehended He was indicted
a several occa sions, but always man
ged to beat the cases singular in
ident In connection with the pardon
ng of McCauley is that it was secured
through the influence of prominent
epublican politician, whose name can
Q furnished, If necessary.
The legislature was in session at /
he time the pardon was granted, and
appears to be the general consensus
{ opinion that some kind of deal
as put through and McCauleys par
on thrown in for boot" No sooner a
ad McCauley been released from jail
ian he again engaged in the illegal 7
lie OF whisky, and was doing . good :
u Il 4
lsiness when some prominent citi-
ms of the town gave him little
iendly advice, which he took and left
r parts unknown a,few days ago.
William Widdis, who shot and in T
antly killed two canstables In the
scharge of their duty, and who was
rving life sentence for the crime,
rs also pardoned by Governor Pat
rson. The two Ross boys, consta- n,
es of their district, went to the IL
me of Widdis to attach pen of cot n.
n for debt, and Widdis concealed j,
mself nearby and killed both OFF, u,
rs. So strong was public sentiment 4,
ainst the murderer that mob at ho
npted to take him from the jail and :.
ng him. He was tried and sentenced ~
hang for the crime. The case was j,
pealed and the decision Of the lower wv
lrt reversed and remanded for ~,
W trial He was again found guilty y.
d sentenced to the penitentiary for
die
rhis decision was allowed to stand,
Widdis' lawyers realized that he ast
S escaping lightly co,
Several attempts were made to have bul
d pardoned, but all were futile UNI w.
Governor Patterson was Inaugural It's
when the matter was again taken NJ,
with success. A number of other tar
'dons have been granted Carroll N.
MY criminals for smaller offenses, the
1t is no wonder that the people roa
e become disguised. vot