The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-30
O'NEAL ISSUES
 THIRTY PAROLES Thanksgiving Gifts Re
 ceived by Convicts CONVERTED IN PRISON Among Paroles Issued Was That Granted Driscoll, One Time Yeggman, Who Afterward
 Became a Preacher
CONVERTED IN PRISON

Montgomery, November 29.--(SpeciaD. Himself thankful for much, and showing to the world his large hearted generosity and good will to all men, Governor Elm met O'Neal today issued a batch of 3t paroles as Thanksgiving gifts to convicts of this state. Included in the batch are | the names of some of the most daring l criminals that the state has ever known but with the passage of time and the whitening of their locks their lives have been reformed to such an extent thai they were deemed worthy of executive clemency.
 A connected and pathetic story, for the most part, is recited in the batch of pa roles given out in the Thanksgiving batch Time and time again the records call attention to the fact that that grim dis ease, tuberculosis. has stalked in the midst of the state bastiles, and moved down some of the convicts therein who were once hale, hearty and fearless. Many of the records show that needy families appeared before his excellency in interest of their loved ones. Mothers with suck ling babes plead for clemency; devoted wives who have been made the playthings O1 cnance. ana W6dZ6Ieu WiO showed the pinch of poverty and suffer ing.
 One of the most remarkable of the pa roles issued was that which granted 70 Albert Driscoll, one time yeggman, a parole.
 Driscoll appeared in person before the states chief executive, and was granted clemency at the end of the interview. In 1904 Driscoll was convicted in the court oi Montgomery on charge of burglary of a theatre safe, and was given 20 years for the offense Since being convicted, how ever, Driscoll has become a convict preacher, and has done such good as to merit regard at the hands of the gover- nor.
 Another of the interesting paroles was that which granted clemency to Frank Edwards of Jefferson county, who in January of 1900 was sent up for p years on a charge of robbery. He was one Of the most famous yeggmen the state has ever known. His parole was recom- mended by Trial Judge S. E. Greene and others.
 pr. William l.. Noel of Marshall county, who was convicted of first degree man. slaughter in 1909 was paroled in the batch. He was sent up for seven years and his parole was recommended in view of his advanced age.
 Other paroles follow:
 Tom Bledsoe. Marengo county, murder; convicted in 1908, 10 years. This man mas served three years
 John A. Campbell. Calhoun county, as sault to murder; convicted October 2S. 1909, three years. This prisoners sen- tence, allowing for good behavior. expires March, 1912. The pardoning board recom- mends parole, stating that the punishment has been sufficient.
 or{o mn second degree; convicted fall of 19o7 % years He killed a man of desperate char acter. He has been in prison for about fonr years. The man he killed had shot his father.
 Sonnie Coker. Monroe county, rape; con victed July, 1905, death: commuted to 9o wears in the penitentiary. The trial judge and solicitor recommend parole.
 Spencer Shell. Dale county, aiding an escape; convicted April, 1910, two years. This man has served three-fourths of his sentence and is in the hospital.
 Him I,angford, Hale county, grand larceny and assault to murder; con victed April, 1910, five years each m two cases. This applicant Is about l6 years old. Let parole issue on agree ment of his parents to put him in the Industrial School for White Boys at Birmingham; keep him there until he is 21.
 Ali Wright, Cleburne county. murder second degree; convicted September, 1908. 15 years. The judge, solicitor and board of pardons recommend elem ency in this case. l hereby parole him, conditional on further good conduct.
 Tiny Dumas. Wilcox county, murder second degree; convicted spring, l9OS, 20 years. It appears that this mans co-defendant pleaded guilty and re- ceived a sentence of six months
 Joe Mcbride, Colbert county. man. slaughter; convicted fall, 1908, two years. The board of pardons recon mends clemency in this case.
 Frank Bell, Madison county. murder second degree; convicted June, 1904, 20 years. The trial judge and seven mem- bers of the jury recommend parole.
 Stellas Kolfas, Jefferson county, man slaughter convicted October, 1909, eight years The applicant was ignorant of the English language, unable to de- fend himself properly at trial. Oscar Henry, Etowah county, rob bery; convicted September. 1910, years From the statement of the trial judge and solicitor this seems to have been miscarriage of justice. Charles Hodnet, Randolph county murder; convicted spring of 1908, iO years. This applicant has served nearly five years and has less than one year allowing for good conduct. John Black stock, Jefferson county robbery; convicted November, 1905, 1C