The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-31
SLAYER OF |SAACS
GRANTED PARDON
MaSilnilian 1Iirsch Will Be Re
leased To-Day From
Pclitentiary.
IMMENSE PETITION FILED
Governor Thinks Killing Was
by Ctancc-Only Two
Jews i'll Prison.

Acting upon a gigantic petition.
based upon extenuating circumstances.
Governor Mann announced yesterday
that he would issue a pardon to Maxi
milan llirsch, who is serving a term
of nine years In the State Penitentary
for the murder of his brother-in law,
Louis Isaacs. Hirsch Will be released
to-day, and VIII spend New Years
at his homo in Rockingham county.
Seldom indeed does a petition for
executive clemency bear so many Sig
natures, or represent men of higher
standing, than has been the case in
this Instance No fewer than 1,i9O
names appear upon the application for
pardon. They include all twelve of tho
members OF the trial jury, Rocking
hams delegation in the Legislature,
most of the county officers, Mayors and
Councilman of the towns in the county,
postmastcrs, merchants, railway Off
Gals, professional men and others.
Not Intentional Murder.
The Governor said yesterday that
he was convinced that there was no
intention in this case to commit a
murder. Louis lsaacs, the dead man,
1t is said, was informed by a nurse
that his baby had been called "a
damned brat" by Macmillan Hirsch.
The men quarrcled as soon as they
met Hirsch, who was the smaller man.
backing across the street. Tho men
struggled until a pile of trash was
reached. when Hirsch picked up a
piece of wood and struck Isaacs over
the head, fracturing his skull.
Physicians who examined the body
say that at that point the skull was
but one-tenth of an inch thick, Just
half the size of a normal skull. and
that the same blow inflicted on an
other person would not have produced
serious results. A chance blow in a
fight is the Characterization of the of
Tense.
In his statement regarding the par
don the Governor notes the fact that
i1irsch is one of the only two men IN
the state Penitentiary who are Jews
He regards this as tribute to tho
race.
Governors statement.
His remarks in connection with the
pardon arc as follows:
The petitions which have been pre-
sented to me In the case of Macmillan
Efirsch, accompanied as they arc by the
letters of many thoughtful and conser-
Vatiye men. must be taken not only to
represent the wishes of tho community
in reference to the exercise of cxecu-
| tive clemency, but also tho opinion
| of the people of Harrisonburg and
Rockingham county as to the extent
| of the punishment.
While the Judge and attorney for
the Commonwealth do not favor eXecu-
| tive clemency, II is asked for hy every
member of the Jury which tried the
case: by the Senator who has Just re-
| signed; the member of the House of
| Delegates: by most of the officers of
| Harrisonburg and Rockingham coun-
! ~. three cx-members of the House of
Delegates, seven ministers of the gos-
| pei, thirty-two bank officials. seven
| teen physicians. twenty attorneys at
law sin dentists, four publishers. three
| veterinary surgeons, twelve railway
| officials. three express agents. one hum
| dred and seventeen merchants, nine
| teen builders and contractors. four-
teen dealers in live stock. twenty-five
agents and managers. seven postal
| employees. six hotel proprietors, three
/ civil engineers, eight liverymen and
the names of 1,0S6 other citizens
whose occupations are not given, ag-
I gregating 1880
with this petition before me, ]
have carefully examined into the case
and determined to grant conditional
pardon, as requested by SO many of
! the representative men of the section
in which the offense was committed
II desire to say In conclusion, that
in the investigation of this case as
certained that there are only two Jews
in the penitentiary. which is a tribute
! To this large class of our people as
/ law abiding and useful citizens