Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1910-05-21

implored him to grant them a pardon
because they were innocent" they
said.
Finally the governor stepped to
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.
'1 do promptly replied the con-
Wet. They got me right, and 1 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 Il 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
s. Wormser, known as lawyer and
a philanthropist-he died but 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:
Lot -
in prison is such a familiar nuisance
that even though you have invited
this infection it seems almost to de-
mand an apology.
! Il was convicted on March 49, 1899,
of murder in the first degree and was
sentenced to be executed on August 6,
1900. This sentence was committed
by Governor Roosevelt to one of life
Imprisonment.
1T was charged by the prosecution,
| represented by the Hon. John F. Nc
Intyre, that myself and one Sweeney
had assaulted and robbed a cab driver
J named Beasley, who died some four
teen hours later from the injuries
| thus received.
| Il am a native of Boston, and for
some time prior to being involved in
this unfortunate affair 1 was employed
as manager of a 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.
Il had journeyed from Boston tc
| New York and while / was trying tc
| locate some of the men whose services
were desired, 1 met John Sweeney
1 whom l had known for some time
After he had accompanied me to sew
| eral places he suggested visit to e
music hall, known as the Brighton
on Eighth avenue, to which we went
After some little time at the place
and while 1 was engaged in conversins
| with the bartender, one Hugh Quigley
| our attention was attracted by al
angry dispute between Sweeney and
another man, later known as Beasley
Separated Ansered Men.
THE manner and talk of the lattel
were very contemptuous and insult
ing. and had plainly angered Sweeney
/ whose attitude was so threatening
that Quigley called out in warning
No, no, no, Not in here whereupol
| 1 stepped around a swinging screeI
| which separated me from Sweene,
and his prospective adversary and
catching Sweeney. by the arm, drew
him away while some one else pu
the other disputant out into Eight
avenue
Following this. Quigley, Sweene.
and 1 had drink, after which mysel
and Sweeney left the place, proceed
ing eastward, via Twenty-ninth street
and had gone short distance whel
Sweeney perceived Beasley walking il
the same direction as ourselves, OF
the other side of the street, and abou
fifty feet in advance.
AT sight of Beas1ey Sweeney's an