Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-08-28
NOT EASY TO OBTAIN
Governor Backward in Giving Free
dom TO convicts-other
Notes.
Notes.

q nor. has caused some TO believe that
nearly any prisoner who asks execu-
tive clemency is granted it. But such
Is not the case by any means, and only
a small percent OF those asking re-
lief from prison terms are successful
in their efforts. A review of the par
don record since Pardon Attorney
Waugh went into office, April 1, last,
shows that out of forty-six applicants,
only thirteen were successful in gain
ing executive clemency. No absolute
pardons have been granted, while but
few have been granted conditional
pardons. In a few instances, jail SEN
fences have been suspended, and per-
| sons have been relieved as sureties on
bonds, while in a few instances sem
fences in the pe%nitentiary have been
eommuted TO a shorter term.
Since April 1 the following have
been granted executive clemency, the
recommendation of the pardon attor-
ney having been approved in all in
| stances by the governor:
Joseph Arnold, Berkeley county; as
| sault.
Arthur Lawrence, Monongalia; Jail
sentence.
Ken S. Canterbury, Wyoming; muir
der.
Charles Weasenforth, Grant; seduc-
ton.
Frank Crockett. Mcdowell; murder.
Susan Smith, Summers; relief from
surety.
James Samson, Raleigh; arson.
| /. L. Fisk, Tyler; larceny.
A. L. Calhoun, Mcdowell; relief as
surety.
Freeman Beabout, Marshall; selling
liquor.
William McAfee. Ohio; h~ousebreak-
ing.
Raphael Gentilo. Mineral; murder.
Albert ~Covington, Fayette; murder.
Many Refused.
Charles Honcock, Mcdowell; rob-
berry.
Kirk Piersol, Wood; larceny.
Solomin Efew, Upshur; murder.
The following have been refused ex-
ecutive clemeney:
j. Wesley Beatty, Preston; murder.
Sam Valentine, Mercer; murder.
Lloyd Duff, Wetzel; selling liquor.
Bird Trimble, Barbour; cutting and
%stabbing.
r. l.. Props, Kanawha; breaking
and entering.
John Bayles, Cabell; murder.
Raymond Sites, Kanawha; murder.
Charles Ryner, Harrison; burglary.
Sadie Maynard, Harrison; prostitu-
ton.
Bob White, Mcdowell; breaking
and entering.
Pasquala Mastrodascio Raleigh; for
gerry.
James Frazier. Harrison; gaming
house.
DR.. w. L. H. Moore, Braxton; false
prescription.
Edward Clark, Mcdowell; murder.
Mason Green, Pocahontas; larceny.
Marshall Darlington. Ohio; burglary.
Clarence Mccoy, Tyler; unlawful
wounding.
Edward Smith, Kanawha; larceny.
Bill Ellis, Logan; murder.
Thomas King, Mcdowell; burglary.
William Gilbreath. Mcdowell; burg
larry.
James Elkins, Kanawha; murder.
Charles LAWN, Wood; assault.
John Gearhart. Wayne; murder.
Londa Cannady, Raleigh; forgery.
Stonewall Clemens, Mercer; unlaw-
full w%ounding.
Joseph E. Hostetter, Hancock: as
sault.
William T. seabright, Marshall;
murder.
Marion Adkins, Clay; larceny.
The last conditional pardon granted
was that of Albert Covington, serving
a life sentence from Fayette county,
for the murder of James Duse. Both
were colored, and the crime was com
mitted during a quarrel over a shirt.
Evidence Not Renewable.
That clemency shown by a former
governor is not renewable by the
present governor, unless new facts are
presented, is a ruling agreed upon by
the governor and pardon attorney. The
question arose over the case of ].
Wesley Beatty, serving a life sentence
for the murder of David Nine in Pres
ton county. Nine had Beatty's son ar
rested for stealing cider. Beatty took
| his shotpun and seeking Nine killed
him. He was sentenced to hang in
December, 1900, but was respited by
Governor Atkinson. Governor White
committed the sentence to life impris-
onment. Beatty now asked that his
term be shortened to twenty years,
but this was refused.