The Mena weekly star., 1908-12-17
RELIGIOUS CRANK
 MAY BE PARDONED
Arkansas Penitentiary Board Takes an Interest in Elijah Skaggs and May As Governor to
 Pardon Him.

Little Rock, Dec. 9.--Elijah Skaggs, the self-styled prophet, the King of the Gentiles, is about to return to his own as leader of his flock. Supreme aid has not come to him but Commissioner Guy B. Tucker will supply the missing power and endeayer to secure freedom for the convict. There will be special meeting of the penitentiary board tomor- row; at which Commissioners Tucker will introdhce resolu- tion .entreating x. o. Pindall to pardon Skaggs. This resolution is certain to receive favorable action, as the majority of the board is of the opinion that Skaggs is of uusound mind. The only condition that will be placed apon Skaggs in restoring to him lis freedom, is that he leave the state, never to return, aud If he Asaiu takes the notion he must Ae hauged to save the world, let the steps to secure legal execu- ton be taken in another state. With the personal entreaty of Seefetary of State Ludwig and Commissioner Tucker behind the movement for pardon for Skaggs, he will be at liberty in a short time after Govefnor Pin dali returns from Washington.
 Skaggs Is how working with a squad of convicts in a railroad camp near Carlisle, and being strong of limb, and of willing Hisposition, he Is one of the best workmen in the camp. He has not ceased his religions teaching, though he is not taken seriously hv any of his associates. Skaggs has hardened physically since being taken to the railroad camp, on account ot the hard work he he has been subject to.
 Followers of Skaggs are still abopt the city, and as soon as be Is released they will escort him to another state, supplying him with all the funds necessary and leading the triumphant process sion.
 Skaggs was sent to the peni- tentiary from Sebastian county 10 serve 2l years for criminal as- sault. He appeared with a band of his followers in Fort Smith some months ago, and soon after wards Mrs. 1reue Taylor, one of his chief lieutenants, walked into the office of Mayor Pagan Bour- land and announced that she had been assaulted by Skaggs while they were walking in the country near tue city. She also exhibited her torn dress as evidence. Skagss was arrested aud pleaded to be hanged, saying he and the woman had eonspired to get him hsnged 50 he could rise on the third day and save the world. He claimed the assault was a spirit ual one instead of physical. He erihed the prisoners in the gail to hang him and they made bad 5ob, Skaggs sustaining broken Jaw in his fall. He was convicted and sentenced to q years in the penitentiary. An appeal was taken to the supreme court and the attorney general confessed error. The confession of error was isnofed by the supreme court and the judgment of the lower court sustained. The attorney general tried for a new hearing and it was denied, Skaggs then being forced to go to the peniten- tiary.
 His followers have been loyal turing his short incarceration, and written to him frequently, besides several staying near the convict camp in which he has oeen working. All sorts of gifts would have been lavished upon hlm by his followers had it beeu