Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-07-23
NO. SO.

These letters pertain to the parole
granted to Frank w. Bentley, young
white man sent to the penitentiary
from Richland county for the crime Of
forgery. The petition for pardon was
presented to me by Barrett Jones, Esq,
Of Batesburg, 8. c. I refused to par
don Bentley, but on the showing made.
on May IA, 1912, paroled him on the
condition that he leave the state. Bent
| ley's crime was the forging Of two
checks by which he obtained $40 from
Mr.. Ben David Of Columbia and $25
from Mr.. ]. Flanagan, formerly Of Co
lumbia. Both Mr. Flanagan and Mr..
David, as we'll as Solicitor Zimmerman
the prosecuting attorney, requested ex-
ecutive clemency. Mr.. John Neil, a
member Of the company whose sigma
i ture was forged, also requested me to
release him.
Bentley was formerly Of Dubuque,
Iowa, where his mother and sister,
Nettie, now live. The sister had At
torney George T. Lyon interested In
the matter Of securing young Bentley's
release, and Mr.. Lyon stated In a let
ter to me that he was getting no COM
pensation for his services, but was in
terested in the matter because Of his
friendship for the Bentley family; that
the Bentleys were good people and
that Bentley had borne an excellent
reputation at his old home.
Mr.. Lyon sent me q draft for $25
for the purpose Of furnishing transpor-
tation for Bentley from Columbia to
Dubuque, and to carry out the condi-
tions Of the parole. I have In my Of
fee a receipt from Bentley for the
amount Of the draft, and Mr.. w. F.
Blackburn, stenographer In my office,
went to the depot, purchased ticket
from Columbia to Dubuque. at cost
Of $24.55, and gave the ticket and the
remaining 45 cents to Bentley. and
showed him the train to take for his
home, which he boarded.
All the correspon iense in regard to
this matter is on file In the governors
Office, open to the inspection Of any
one who wishes to see It. ! submit two
letters received from Attorney Lyon
and the affidavit Of Mr.. Blackburn.
Lyon & Lyon.
d. E. Lyon Geo. T. Lyon,
City Attorney.
Attorneys at Law.
Suite 1, 2. 3. 4. 8. First National Bank
Building.
Dubuque, Iowa, August IA. 1911.
Alex. Rowland, Columbia, 8. c.
Dear Sir: Your favor Of August II
at hand and / note with pleasure the
proposed action Of the governor and
sincerely hope he finds merit In the
young mans petition this time.
+ am inclosing herewith a New York
draft for $25 to cover railroad fare,
this I believe win cover fare from Coz
lumbia to Dubuque, but should you re-
quire more so advise me- will guar
antee to use my best endeayors to keep
Bentley from returning to your state,
that of course, Is the best can do.
feel safe in saying. however, that he
will be satisfied to stay around home
hereafter.
Miss Bentley is at present on her
vacation she left feeling very sad over
contents of your last letter to me. II
II Is possible would greatly appreci-
ate favorable action during her alb
sence as 1t would do wonders for her.
Her absence explains this writing as
I do not care to dictate to another.
Call upon me for anything further
you may desire and please advise me
early of the governors action.
Yours very truly,
(signed) Geo. T. Lyon.
Copy.
Lyon & Lyon.
d. E.-Lyon. Geo T. Lyon.
City Attorney.
Suite 1, 2, 8, 4, s First National Bank
Building
Dubuque, Iowa, May 8, 1912,
Hon. Coleman L. Blease. Columbia,
s. C.
Dear Sir: wish to again call your
attention to the petition for pardon OF
Frank w. Bentley, which has been
pending before you for a long time
and which you have not finally dis
posed of as far as know, and also
call your attention to the fact that
sent you in August last, at your re-
quest, draft for $25 to cover his ex-
penses from Columbia to his home
here, which you still have In your
possession.
This boy has now served about four
years for the commission OF, as, we
believe, a slight offense which was
committed under extenuating circum-
stances, and II seems to me has been
more than punished for the act The
man whose name was forged has no
i'll feeling towards him and would Ike
to see him released. / hope you can
find justification In granting him q
pardon in the very near future.
Hoping to hear from you at an
early date with a favorable reply,
am, Yours very truly,
(signed) Geo. T. Lyon.
GLIB.