The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-12
Pardon and New Chance
for Man in Virginia
Penitentiary.
SERVED ON FORCE
MANY YEARS AGO
Successful Man Did Not Forget
Old Comrade in Adversely.
Governor Paroles Prisoner,
Who, With His Benefactor,
Leaves for Honest Work
at Old Home.

Freed from his prison cell and given
a new chance in life through the In
tercession OF his old friend now chief
of the Chicago police force, James f.
Murphy and his deliverer left Rich
mond on an early train this morning
He was released last night from the
Virginia Penitentary on a conditional
pardon granted him by Governor Mann.
The story has all the romance of a
novel IT is the story OF two young
men. working side by side as patrol
men on the police force OF one OF Amer
ica's greatest cities. and becoming fast
friends. one OF them. victim to an
appetite apparently beyond his control.
lost his place, dropped lower and lower.
and twice earned the stripes Of the
feion. The other. by correct habits and
attention to business. rose in public
favor and in efficiency, and reached
the very top in his profession.
An Unusual Friend.
But this successful man was unique.
in that he was a friend in need--a
friend that stuck closer than q brother.
Returning from the Inauguration OF
President Wilson. silk hated. frock :
coated, successful. admired, n leading
member Of the Cook County Democrat tic
Club. the chief came through Rich :
mond. He had heard OF the disaster
of his former friend. Atuircd in all
his glory. he visited the State prison,
accompanied by an official Of the loca
force. and the prisoner was sert for.
He recognized his chun of twenty
three years ago in an instant. and al
most broke down
An hour later the Chicago chief was
at the Governors mansion. where he
saw the executive. The man in the
peniientiary. he explained. was not a
criminal by nature. but a victim TO
drink. which made him do things that
were without the pale Of the law. He
said. II the man were released he
would give him n new chance in life
n real job at which ne could make an
honest living and n man of himself
Further. the chief gave his personal
pledge G the Governor that il Murphy
did not reform. but got into trouble
again. he would himself bring him 70
Virginia TO serve the remainder OF his
term.
Pnrdon Agreed To.
The Governor said he would think
over it, lie did. and conducted an in
vesiigation. Correspondence followed
Then the Governor said he would grant
the pardon If the chief would come to
Richmond and take Murphy back with
MIN. The terms were gladly acceDted
So 1t was that John McWeeney, chief
OF the Chicago police force. left his
bailiwick for the second time in six
weeks. He wired here Thursday tina,
he was on the way: wired again yes
terday morning from Washington that
lie would be here last evening. The
pardon was fixed at once Richmond
police official was named as the parole
officer, as II was necessary 10 har- a
Nirginian, and Murphy must report 10
him.
Together the chief and mis- Richmond
friend went 10 the State Prison las,
night The pardon was presented TO
superintendent Wood, who sent for
Murphy at once. The convict had not
been notified OF the efforts making in
him behalf, and he came from his bunk
wondering II some charge had been
hicd against him.
Again he recognized his old frcn
at a glance. "John." ne cried. and
clasped the chiefs hands. thinking that
official happened TO be here again.
Jim" said the chief. II am going
to take you away from here and give
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