The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1908-06-19
Gov. Wilson Says Both are
Absolutely Innocent
Noted Prisoners Released Satnr
day Morning and Were Shower
ed With Congratulations

With firm steady strokes of his pen
Gov. Wilson at 3:15 o'clock last Satur
day morning gave freedom TO the two
most noted prisoners in the world Calel
Powers and James b. Howard, accused
of completely in the murder of Will
liam Goebel more than eight years
ago.
The appending of his signature &c
the pardons concluded the most ardu'
GUS task ever undertaken by Chiel
Executive of the Commonwealth and
ended the final chapter of one of the
most bitter and relentless politica
prosecutions in the history of any
country.
The official announcement OF the pal
don of the two prisoners was not made
until $3.50 O'Clock when Private Secre-
tary Todd called the newspaper CORE
spondent at the Capital into the ex'
ecutive office and conveyed 10 then
the Governors message.
FLASHED OVER THE WORLD.
In a few seconds the telegraph wires
were flashing the glad news all ovel
the country while messengers were or
their way to the Scott County Jail al
Georgetown, where Powers slep
calmly with no intimation of the glat
tidings in store for him and to the
State Penitentiary where Howard haC
taken up his early morning labors IN
the shoe shop.
Assistant Secretary of State Jackson
Morris was dispatched TO Georgt
town Jail with the Powers pardon
tucked away in an inside pocket
while Secretary of State Ben l.
Bruner took the Howard pardon ant
made bee line to the penitentiary.
Accompanied by Deputy Warder
Hawkins. DR.. Bruner went directly tC
the stock department of the shoe, shoI
and handed the precious paper to III,
twice convicted man.
THANK GOD" HE CRIED.
Thank God" cried Howard as hi
unfolded the document and saw the bi
official seal of State in the lower left
hand corner.
Tears filled his eyes, and he was too
moved for further utterance. His fel
low prisoners crowded around him, ant
almost wrenched his arm from thu
socket. Boys, good bye, and goot
luck" he said, as he was led away IL
the direction of his cell.
He was assisted in packing up few
personal belongings and with far'
well handshake with the deputy wardel
and some of the prisoners, he passed
out of the penitentlary gate in prison
garb.
81 must thank Gov. Wilson" he ex
claimed and hurried in company Will
Secretary of State Bruner across thi
street to the executive mansion wher,
Gov. Wilson and Mrs. Wilson and Mrs
William Ekin, Mrs. Wilson's sister
were leaving the front porch. advanc
ing TO meet him.
TEAR-STAINED FACE
With tear-stained face the prisoner
clasped the hand of the Chief Execu
tive and murmered his thanks. while
the Governor wrung his hand heartily
and wished him success and prospect
ty for the future.
Mr.. Wilson and Mrs. Elkin greeted
him cordially and pressed his hand
wishing him success in the new visit;
of life that opened before him. Witt
additional expressions of his thanks
Howard then accompanied by hi
friends proceeded to a local clothing
store where he was fitted out with &
neat serge suit and straw hat.
STARTS FOR LOUISVILLE.
This accomplished he and the party
made for the railroad station to catcf
the Chesapeake and Ohio train TO
Louisville which was almost due from
the East.
At the station hundreds of Erankfor
= people had collected, for the news Of
the pardons had spread rapidly and hi
was given a demonstration that he vii
long remember.
Republican and Democrats Of tn
Capital city, women and chfldrel
pressed forward to clasp his hand. TX
all he responded Thank you. you arr
kind"
His manner was very reserved. bu
his eyes shown with pleasure and thu