The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-05-20
CLEMENCY EXTENDED
BY GOVERNOR BLEASE
ACTION IN SEVERAL CASES FOR
THE REASONS STATED.
Three Negroes and One White Man
Get Freedom on ConditiOns-0ne
PardOned For Witness.
Special to The Herald and News.

Special to The Herald and News.
Columbia, May 18.-Governor Blease
last week extended clemency in the
following cases, for the reasons stat
ed:
Frank Stevenson, a young negro
boy, convicted in 1912 of petit lar
ceny, was pardoned to restore citi-
zenship in order that he might testi-
fy in case pending before Magistrate
H F. Buechel, in Richland county.
The fine in the former case had been
paid, and the pardon was urgently
requested by the magistrate in order
that Stevenson might be used as
witness
Ben Blakely, colored, convicted at
the October, 1910, term of court for
Laurens county, before Special Judge
J. H. Marion, of manslaughter, and
sentenced to serve two years, was
paroled during good behavior. The
petition was recommended by Solici-
tor Cooper and the trial judge. The
petition showed the killing was not
intentional and was recommended by
Sheriff Owings, w G.. Winters, DR..
R. E. Hughes and others.
Canes Saxon, colored, convicted at
the March, 1907, term of court for
Barnwell, of murder, with recommen~
dation to mercy, and sentenced ito
thirty years Imprisonment, was parol-
ed during good behavior. Attorney
General Thos. H. Peoples stated that
he had carefully examined the peti-
ton, and found the names of some of
the most prominent white people in
the community signed to same; that
he knew the negro, and felt that he
had been punished sufficiently. The
petition set out the manner of the
killing, and a strong showing was
made upon the, facts. A separate pc
tition, in addition to the strong PEI
tition from the community, was pre-
sented from the superintendent of the
penitentiary and other penitentiary Of
fcials.
W. K Cole, white, convicted at the
May, 1913, term of court for Green
vile, of forgery and breach of trust
(two cases), and sentenced to one
year and three months, respectively,
was paroled during good behavior.
Petition was signed by the sheriff, de-
putty sheriff, probate judge, County
Commissioner Bramlett, clerk of
court, DR.. J. P. Carlisle, Magistrate
Samuel Stradley, Master J. w Gray,
Magistrate ]. L. Ballenger, Mayor
Henry Briggs, Representative Scott,
and many others of the best people
in Greenville. Judge I. w. Bowman,
who tried the case, said: "These cases
were tried before me, and the defen-
dant was found guilty. I imposed the
lightest sentence allowed by law.
But inasmuch as the defendant seems
to be in desperate health, it, in my
opinion, would be cruel to imprison
him, so I sincerely request that your
excellency pardon or parole the said
unfortunate defendant"
James Mcclure, colored, convicted at
the March, 1912, term of court for
Marion, of receiving stolen goods,
and sentenced to three years, was
paroled during good behavior. A
strong petition, signed by w. D. Platt,
Hoyt Mcmillan, R. L. Mace, James
Norton, the Messrs. Higgins, Clerk of
Court Miles, and others, was present
ed, asking that defendant be pardon
ed, and the following communication
was received from Senator Henry
Mullins: 81 was present at the hear
ing Of the case of the State vs. Jim
Mcclure, and it is my opinion that
the sentence was excessive and that
the defendant has served sufficient
time and been fully punished for the
charge against him." The board of
pardons recommended parole after
two years service.