Weekly journal-miner., 1910-08-03
CFrom Tuesdays Daily)

In the shadow of the gallows, and with a mien of hSrrOr that shows the strain of the long days of anx- iously awaiting his doom, Frank Spence, condemned to expiate the crime of murder on next Friday, will awake from his slumbers this morn ing, and again breathe the air of be- ing a saved mortal, his sentence of death being commuted. Hereafter he will pass the remainder of his days on this earth in the Territorial penitentiary. Through the. clemeney of Governor Sloan, mandate to that effect was issued yesterday, and af- ter all legal avenues had been ex- nausted, the man twice condemned to death, will be saved.
 The order that gives this man a communication of the death sentence to imprisonment for life, was ofic- tally announced yesterday by Gov ernor Sloan, at his home in thi. city, and the official document will reach the city this morning from the cap itol at Phoenix, directing Sheriff Smith to act accordingly.
 Supporting this executive course, Governor Sloan stated yesterday that he is moved to save the mans life from very strong petitions received from spenee's former home in Mis- souri, added to which were many strong personal letters from promin- ent residents of that and other states, and in Arizona. A long pe- tition from this city, to which was attached the names of many leading citizens, also bore evidence of the act that had been authorized by him.
 Another potent and convincing ar gument in Spenee's behalf, which probably carried great weight in the consideration extended by the gov ernor to the doomed man, was the presentation of several afidavits with reference to the relations exist ing between Spence and Sullivan, prior to the murder, that were never permitted to be introduced in evi- denee at the trial in the District Court, when Spence was adjudged guilty of the crime, and for which he was sentenced to death. This was f ha al of the executive that called for the committing of the sentence, and which suppressed evidence was given by responsible residents of this com munity.
 All arrangements had been made by Sheriff Smith and deputies to pro- eeed with the carrying out of the judgment of the courts. The scaffold was to be erected this morning, and the execution was to be conducted with the most secrecy possible, and benind a screened tier of iron bars. The rope was purchased several days ago, and was to be given it's final test of strength in a few days. The enclosure behind the first tier of steel bars leading from the main room to the entrance to the cells was to be the place, and the attendance of spectators limited to the smallest number possible under the law.
 During the past few weeks, and particularly so in the past few days, Spence has weakened daily in antiei- patton of meeting his doom thls week. He paced the floor with in- clined head, and his physically shat tered frame, with his prostrated mental faculties, reflected the awful doom that confronted him, and which was increasing as the hours were tieked away.
 The crime of which Spence was convicted was for the killing of Ed gar Sullivan, on October 22, 1908, at the latter's ranch, about five miles to the west of the city. Spence had sold Sullivan the land, and the latter was in possession. Some weeks after this transaction, Spence made a visit to the place, and, as he con tended, on a business arrangement, affecting the disposition of the crops planted by him before the deal was eOnsummated. Trouble arose between the two men, and while Sullivan had his back to Spence, according to the evidence introduced, the latter shot and killed him. The bullet that struck Sullivan entered from the rear of his head and passed out in front. After committing the deed, Spence walked to this city and surrendered 10 the sheriff.