Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-29
PARDON GRANTED "SPIKER" MURPHY
After Serving Twenty Years in Rhode Island State Prison He Is Free Sentenced For Life But Governor Released Him-Wll Go to Chicago.

Governor Pothier Friday sent to the Rhode Island senate pardons for Allen W. Dorsey and Dennis alias "Spiker" Murphy, formerly of Norwich, both serving life sentences for murder The pardons were confirmed by the senate at o'clock Friday night They ceased 10 De prisoners at the moment the sen ate gave it's approval to the pardons
 Both Dorsey and Murphy have been behind the bars for over 20 years. and the crimes of which they were convict ed, while the topic of conversation for a long period at the time they occur red, have not been brought to public attention in several years.
 Murphy Sentenced in 'Se.
 The murder for which Dennis, alias "Spiker" Murphy was incarcerated oc- cured in the summer of 18S8,when the community was shocked by the death of Waterman Irons, d merchant S2 years old, who was in good mental and physical condition for many of his advanced age, says the Providence Journal. On the afternoon of August 24, 1888, two young men entered his leather shop on High, now Westmin- ster, street, in a small building oppo- site Dean street, and asked to examine I the little back room to get the leather, and there the two intruders attacked him, one clutching him by the throat, while the other attempted to take the wallet from his pocket.
 SIr Irons made such a fight that he was thrown to the floor, one of the as- sailants falling upon him. In the fall one of Mr. Irons ribs was fractured and it punctured his intestines, the contents of which, flooding the abdom- inal cavity, caused peritonitis, from which he died the following day.
 Murphy's alleged companion in the killing of MT. Irons was Pete Hack ct an aIl-round criminal who formerly frequented Providence. Murphy was speedily captured, but his companion Hackett. made his escape. Although the authorities sought for him far and wide they were never able to find a trace of him.
 Spiker Murphy was only about 1e years old when he came to this city and fell into bad company, which cul- minated in his implication in the mur- der case, which was one of the most sensational and brutal in the city's criminal records. He was sentenced tC spend the remainder of his life in pris- on on July 2, 1889.
 Murphy after his imprisonment gave the prison authorities considerable trouble. and was considered an incor- rigible by the late Warden Vial. IT the early sos, when Gentleman George Ellwood made an attempt tC break jail, Murphy was his companion
 Murphy Covers.
 The latter had been selected by Ell of Nn phy had been given as being a despe- rado Murphy, however, was nothing but 19 year old country youth, wht had never been implicated in any crime previous to his arrest for the Irons murder.
 Ellwood had made the most desper- ate attempt to escape ever recorded l at the Rhode Island state prison. Jus as the two prisoners reached the dool leading from the prison yard to th' | jail wing, they were met by Deputy 1 Warden Rowe. Ellwood rushed for ward to grapple with the deputy, bu l Murphy fled from the scene and hiC 1 beneath some steps in the prison yard 1 EllWood was shot by Deputy Rowe anC ] died from his wounds. The deput! was so seriously injured in the strug l gle that his death followed a Shor tune laIeT.
 l It was the general belief among tn 1 prison officials at the time that hat | Murphy proven the desperate man h was accredited as being and backe' ! Ellwood up in his fight the result woul' 1 have been different.
 | A number of attempts have beel made to secure pardOns for both Mur l phy and Dorsey, and the petitions O 1 their friends have been received annu ] ally by the chief executive.
 Murphy and Dorsey became free me- 1 at 1215 Saturday afternoon. and wer l whisked away in an automobile t i Woonsoc<et to meet Governor PothieI
 who sent their pardons to the senat i Friday.
 Dorsey was quiet, but Murphy, powerful man. standing over feet | height and weighing PIP pounds agains
 the 118 pounds at which he tipped tn scales when he was imprisoned whei
 a lad of 19. was too pleased for reti l cence.
 Murphy Grateful.
 "Tell everybody, and especially tel
 those who have secured my freedom l that I am grateful. My gratitude t them all is too deep for me to tell vol