Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-03-31
Went Back to Prison.

The recent death Of John II. Devine
In Dannemora prison has brought 70
mind.the remarkable incidents con-
nected with that convict. Though ne
had been in prison for almost 40 years
for the murder Of Carrot III. Nostrapd
IN Syosset In the winter OF 1871, there
are many living who still believe he
was innocent. Devine Is the man
who was pardoned by Gov. Hughes,
but after short stay with friend
went TO Danemora an old man snd
asked to be permitted TO take up his
old cell and old duties. This was done.
The murder of Nostrand followed a
game of cards. He was man of means,
and lived in All old colonial mansion,
but every night 1t was his custom to
walk to a motel in Syosset aud play
cards with frieods. One stormy ght
Devine and John Kelly, who lived
near met Fostrand in the hotel and
suggested game Of cards. he readily
agreed, but the game soon hroae up,
Nostrand refusing 10 pay his losses
end saying he had been cheated. The
trouble was set led and Nosiraud start
ed for home alone. The next morning
his body was 1cund near tie botel He
had been hit on the head with an ak
and killed instantly.
Devine aud Kelly were arrested, and
through a hard-fought trial protested
their innocence. Both, however, were
sent to prison for life. Through the
years that seemed almost endless to
his family and friends, Devine, who
came from reputable family, occu-
pied the one cell and carefully attend
ed to the few duties assigned to him.
He was most tractable prisoner, but
silent, except to say unwaveringly
he was an innocent man. Those words
were the last Oh his lips when he died
Kelly was paroled long time ago
but, despite everything they could do,
his friends could not for years obtain
similar clemency for Devine. They
started in on the day he was sentenced
aud never gave up. Edward Bennett, a
close friend Of Devine when they were
boys, and who remained so when De-
vine was senten ced when only 20
years old, led the fight for the mans
release. Governor after governor was
appealed to, aud with each succeeding
governor came a renewed hope of par
don.
When Roosevelt was elected it was
thought he surely would take per-
sonal Interest in the case, and again
Bennett raised money for lawyers to
go to Albany. But it WAS without
avail, and again all who were interest
ed in the remarkable case said some
sinister influence that never showed in
the light was at work against the
prisoner. Finally came Gov. Hughes,
who, after carefully looking into all
details and delaying the case, pardon.
ed Devue.
The broken convict, who went to
DannemOra II bright man of 20 and
emerged broken wreck Of So went at
once to the home of his boyhood friend,
Bennett where he. was welcomed and
cheered. But the cid man became I'M
easy, despite the fact he knew Ben
nett positively believed him innocent.
He got the idea his former friends,
now old men ard women, Stunned
him, and he scarcely ventured out, ex-
cept at night AT last he made his
way back to Dannemora, telling no.
body of his intention, and pleaded TO
be kept there until his death. The
kindly warden, who like the old man,
consulted no law, but took him in.