The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1910-05-21

| implored him to grant them a pardon
because they were innocent" they
said.
Finally the governor stepped to a
cell door and called the inhabitant of
the stone dungeon to the bars.
do you think you deserved to be
sent here" asked Governor Flower in
his most kind-hearted way.
II do" promptly replied the con-
Wet. They got me right, and l am
! glad they sent me here. 1t has opened
my eyes"
Governor Flower told the warden to
open the cell door and produce the
man. His case was promptly inquired
into. He had served four years of a
ten-year sentence, and his conduct
had been excellent.
$50 refreshing to find one guilty
man." said Governor Flower as he
shook hands with the convict. II am
so glad to have met you. You may
expect to hear from me SOON"
The next day the governors secre-
tary telephoned from Albany that the
convict who owned up to his guilt had
been granted an absolute pardon.
Wise States His Case.
Even Wise seems to realize how
often the cry Of innocent man" Is
raised in Sing Sing prison. Some
| time ago Wise was asked by Maurice
8. Wormser. known as lawyer and
a philanthropist-he died but a short
time ago-who had interested himself
in the quiet little man, to write out a
short synopsis Of his case. And Wise
wrote thus:
"The claim of innocence from men
In prison is such familiar nuisance
that even though you have invited
this infection 1t seems almost to de-
mand an apology.
II was convicted on March 10. 1899,
of murder In the first degree and was
sentenced to be executed on August 8,
1900. This sentence was committed
| by Governor Roosevelt to one Of life
imprisonment.
"It was charged by the prosecution,
represented by the Hon. John F. Nc
Intyre, that myself and one Sweeney
had assaulted and robbed cab driver
named Beasley, who died some four
teen hours later from the injuries
thus received.
II am a native Of Boston, and for
some time prior to being involved in
this unfortunate affair was employed
as manager of large bowling and
billiard academy In that city.
"A short time prior to the killing
of Beasley It had been planned to
have a number of matches at pool
played by well-known professionals,
with the object of creating and stimu-
lating an interest in a championship
tournament that was to follow very
shortly after.
II had journeyed from Boston to
New York and while was trying to
locate some Of the men whose services
were desired, l met John Sweeney,
whom I had known for some time.
After he had accompanied me to sew
eral places he suggested visit to a
music hall. known as the Brighton,
on Eighth avenue, to which we went.
AFTER some little time at the place,
and while was engaged in conversing
with the bartender, one Hugh Quigley,
our attention was attracted by an
angry dispute between Sweeney and
another man, later known as Beasley.
Separated Anoered Men.
"The manner and talk of the latter
were very contemptuous and insult
| ing, and had plainly angered Sweeney
whose attitude was so threatening
that Quigley called out in warning:
No, no. mol Not IN here whereupon
I stepped around swinging screen
which separated me from Sweeney
and his prospective adversary and
| catching Sweeney by the arm. drew
! him away, while some one else put
the other disputant out into Eighth
avenue.
'Tollowing this. Quigley, Sweeney
ana had drink. after which myself
and Sweeney left the place, proceed
| ing eastward. VIZ Twenty-ninth street
ana he'd gone 3 short distance wheE
8Weeney porceived Bese]ey walking b
the same direction q onroelveo. On
the other side Of ire strset. ana about
nifty fest IN advance.
AT sight Of Beaslsy swseney's a