The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-15
HEALY GRATEFUL
Writes to IOlanS Thanking
Them for Their Help.
Charges "FOrmer Governor"
Leahy With Prejudice.

lola, Kan, Feb. 15.-Out of prison,
free to come and go as he pleases;
free to breathe the pure, fresh air; to
bask in the sunlight; to hear the carol
of happy voices and once more min
gle with the world, the first thought
of John Healy released after serving
some five years in prison for a crime
he did not commit, was of the people
of Iola-the first to befriend him and
help him in his fight for freedom. The
joy of regaining his liberty did not
and the last thing HeaIy did before
leaving the prison was to write let
ter of sincere appreciation of the eff
forts that had been made in his be-
half
Healy, strong and robust, six feet in
height and weighing 210 pounds, as
sures his benefactors that no malice
rankles in his breast. Though wrong
fully deprived of his liberty, as it is
sincerely believed that he was, Healy
will not sit idly by whining vengeful
words. He is seeking honest en-
ployment and when he secures it, he
is going to stay with it and become a
useful member of society.
Charges Against Leahy.
Following is Healys message to
1olans. In it he takes occasion to
score ''ex-Governor' David Leahy.
What the ex-governor had to do
but Healy's letter, conveying the
charge against Leahy, is given for
what 1t is worth:
Kansas State Prison, 2-11-13.
Your letter was sticking in my door
when arrived at my cell to spend my
last night in prison. Thank you kind
1y for the good advice you give me
and for your generous offer of help
toward getting me employment. 1 will
say in reply that my intention for the
future is to live a sober, upright life.
! haven't the ability to express the
gratitude 1 feel toward all the good
people who extended sympathy and
aid to me, friendless outcaSt.
1 wish to thank Mr.. Burton z. Cliff
ford-not for convicting me, but for
being man enough to acknowledge a
grave mistake and doing all in his
power to correct it as far as possible,
and 1 wish him to know that 1 hold
nothing against him whatever.
L also wish to express gratitude to-
ward the foreman of the jury, Mr.. J.
e. Henderson, who also did all in his
power for me.
Neither. shall I ever forget Rev.
Father F. A. McGuire-one of Gods
noblemen-for the time and money he
spent in seeking justice for me. 1 had
lost faith in the honest intent of every
body until you lola people proved to
me that was mistaken, and from now
on don't be afraid that 1 will ever
cause any of your people to feel that
you have labored in vain in my behalf.
Detective Helps Win Fight.
And now the strangest thing of all,
Mr.. John T. Glynn, a nationally
known detective, read of my case in
the papers, then called on me and be-
coming convinced of my innocence
gathered all the tangled strings of the
matter together and made Mr.. Dave
Leahy, former governor of Kansas,
admit that because of prejudice they
would not turn me out under any con-
sideration. 1 had wounded Governor
Ieahy's self esteem by questioning his
truthfulness. Mr.. Glynn's profession
al pride was then aroused and as he
wrote and told me, He was right at
the rat hole from that time on" It
was he who personally presented and
arranged all my evidence. To him 1
owe thanks for the speedy manner in
which justice was finally done me I'M
der this new administration. So long
live Mr.. John T. G1ynn, a detective
full of humanity and heart
L don't know what 1 am going to
do or where I am going yet. 1 must
have work in order to live If you
think you can help me to any honest
employment. please address me at
General Delivery, Kansas City, Kansas.
i am now IS years old, weigh 30
pounds, feet tall and am an able
bodied man. With gratitude for all.
A