The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-14
WILSON PARDONS
 CONVICTED MEN
Powers and Howard Walk
 Forth from Prison Free
POLITICAL GAME PLAYED
Governor Wilson Says He Did What He Thought Was His Duty, But Many Declare It Was For
 Shrewd Purpose.

Frankfort, Ky, June 13.-( Especial J. Governor Wilson pardoned Caleb Powers of Knox county ard Jim Howard of Clay county this morang at S:50 clock. How ard was serving a lie sentence in lde penitentiary nere for firing shot thac killed Gov. William Goebel in the state house yard on the morning of January 30, 1900. Powers was III jail at George town awaiting his fifth trial for com plicity in the murder of Governor Goebe.
 The pardons to both men were uncon- dtional. Powers was indicted last year in the Franklin circuit court for secur- ing perjured testimony. Governor Will son also pardoned him for this allcs ed offense.
 Capt. Jackson Morris assistant secre- tary of state, and a life long friend of Powers delivered his pardon to him at Georgetown, and Dr. Ben L. Bruner, sec retary of state, delivered that of How ard into his hands at the penitentiary here.
 An arrangement had been made by Dr. Bruner and Captain Morris to deliver the pardons to the prisoners simultaneously at S:3O o'clock, and at that hour Private Secretary Mckenzie Todd notified the newspaper correspondents.
 Dr. Bruner presented himself to Acting Warden Hawkins at the penitentiary, ex- plaining that he had a pardon for How ard. The noted prisoner was sent for and met Bruner in the cell office.
 q have piece of paper here that may be of interest to you,' said Bruner, after he had been introduced to Howard. How ard opened the paper and read of his pardon and saw the name of Governor Willson signed to it.
 Howard Delighted.
 A smile lit up his face and he quickly grasped the hand of Bruner, stating that he was everlastingly under obligations to Governor Wilson and to him for bringing it to him, and that all told, it was the happiest day in his life.
 Immediately after receiving the pardon Howard began to make arrangements to leave the prison. On the outside John G. White who arrested Howard and brought him to this city and surrendered him to the authorities eight years ago; H. T. Garrett of Winchester and Repre- sentative Henry Denham of Monroe coun- 
 sion to enter, and the meeting between Howard and the men who had stood by him throughout his trials, collected funds with which they could be carried on and aided, counselled and encouraged hlm during his dark hours of diversity. was affecting.
 Howard threw his arms around White and said: "I knew the day would come when an innocent man like me would be given liberty"
 They were anxious to hurry him away from the prison, and the suit ot clothes that is furnish ed by the state to prisoners on their release was re- fused. It was agreed by the prison of ficials that if Howard desired, he could walk through the streets to clothing store in his suit of stripes that he had worn two years, two months and 10 days.
 The discharge papers were given him as he walked from the cell house to the prison gate to be restored once more to liberty
 The crowd outside of the prison had been considerably augmented by this time and there was a good deal of handshaking and congratulations. Meets the Governor. In going up High street to Broadway the crowd passed the governors man sion. Governor Wilson and Mrs. Will son were seated on the porch of the mansion and when they saw Howard approaching both left their seats and went down to shake hands with him. Howard thanked the governor profuyely for the pardon and Wilson in reply said: "I hope the remainder of your life will be happy and. prosperous" Mrs. Wilson's face beamed with joy, for she had been an ardent advocate of both the causes of Powers and Howard and whatever influence she had with 1 tn Gnvernor 1t Is certain sha nsaI if