The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1910-03-23
MRS. FANNIE CARSON
PARD0NED BY
GOV. ANSEL


pardons. She was convicted in Spart-
anburg county in 1895, on the charge
OF killing her husband.
Fifteen years of prison life have left
their marks upon once a comely wo-
man. She Is frail and her face bears
OF long imprisonment.
Yesterday at the penitentiary, when
newspaper man handed her the par
don by Gov. Ansel, there came new
light into her sad eyes and in a trem-
bling voice she said, 81 am SO glad
Yes. thing Gov Ansel and everybody
that has aided in securing my liberty
am going back to Spartanburg and
my old daddy will be at the station to
meet me. Lhave never lost hope while
behind these prison walls for | knew
that my father was working for my
release.
She became very pensive and care
fully read the tidings that meant so
much to her. When she realized the
full meaning of the message, she talk
ed moro freely.
She Is 40 years Of age and came to
tho penitentiary when 25. ~ have
never been outside Of these prison
walls for Is years." said Fannie Car
son. "and l don't know just how / am
going to feel. l don't expect that
will know Spartanburg Oh, am so
glad. There is something left in life
for me. l will get to see my children
When left them they were both little
tots: now both are married and have
a grandson. ! have been we'll treated
since coming to the penitentiary and
have no complaint to make, except that
i havebeen confined within four walls.
Capt. Griffith and Capt. Roberts have
been very kind to me-
The officers say that she made
model prisoner. For eight years she
worked In the hosiery mill. For the
paat seven years she has been matron
for tho woman's department of the
Benitentiary. There are three other
white women prisoners. Yesterday one
or tho negro women life prisoners came
to the room Of Mrs. Carson and with
tears running down her face said, 81
am glad that you are going away, but
we Is going to miss you, Miss Fannie"
On the table In Mrs. Carson's room
are found two pictures One of a lit
tie girl and the other a woman. The
pictures are those of her daughter
when the mother left home and as she
Is today. The mother will leave Co
lumbia this afternoon at ITO to enter
homo again for the first time In Is
years.
IL am SO happy" said Mrs. Carson,
that / will not sleep any tonight.
When the pardon board recommended
my pardon, would lie awake at nights
and think Of the great big world on
the outside and wonder If Gov. Ansel
would act favorably on the report.
would think of my old father, who has
worked 80 long for my liberty and my
children, who wants me to come home
to them; know they will be glad to
zee mo and there Is new life ahead
for me. / am thankful and happy.
when ] first came to the prison I
always had hope Of some day going
forth free woman. / don't know
what convict would do If they all
did not have that same hope. would
have died long ago. had it not been
for that thuoght. 1t has kept me alive
and given me new life every day for
the long struggle which | have been
through for the past 15 years"
The officers at the prison say that
she has made a model prisoner and
all were glad that she has been par
doned.
The crime for which Mrs. Carson
was convicted was one of the most
horrible In the history of the state
and attracted great deal of attention
at tho time.
Tho husband Of Mrs. Carson was
farmer. who resided in the upper sec
tion of Spartanburg county. He was
unkind to her and a drinking man.
She became infatuated with neigh
Dor by the name Of Green, and they
planned to get rid of Carson At the
trial in Spartanburg county in 1895,
when Judge Earle presided, 1t was
brought out that Green had great
influence over Mrs. Carson. The two
commenced to plan way to kill her