The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-12-20
BURGLAR GRAY PARDONED TO
 HELP U. s. MEN Interesting Parsonage Re gently Taken From Local Jail Is Free to Marry CABINET MEMBERS
 PLEAD FOR HIM Postal Inspector Says Il I'm portant Cases Depend on
 His Testimony

John E. O'DonnelI, alias Gray, alias Mccarthy, alias West Philadelphia Johnny was one of four inmates of the Connecticut state prison granted pardons at the session of the state board of pardons at WethersfeId yes terday.
 Letters from Attorney General Me Reynolds, Postmaster General Bur leson, and other high federal govern ment officials were among the fnstru- ments that effected the pardon or Gray, whose several months in the Fairfield county jail in this city, serv- g to make him an interesting person age in this vicinity.
 The pardon of Gray, as he was known here, means that within a short time he will be married. A pretty girl, employed as stenographer in New ork city, has been a. regular weekly visitor at the jail Sometimes accom- panied by her mother, often unezcort- ed, she paid Gray a visit from week to week, offering him encouragement and using such influence as she could bring to bear on officials whose efforts she believed might avail something in securing 1eniency for the prisoner
 Gray is indeed unique among the many prisoners who have spent time in the county jail here, Widely read in the classics, he quotes freely from standard Literature. He is deeDIv versed in Shakespeare and knows In- timately the philosophers. He fr fluent and weiIds a versatile pen or commanding appearance and able ad- dress, he made a profound impression when, few weeks ago. before Judge Reed in the Superior court he unads an able plea for 1enieIcy.
 He was sentenced to from one Co four years in prison fer burglary at Rfdgefield early in the fall, but owing to the crowded condition of the prison. was in jail until very recently.
 Gray IS one of Re ab1est of the tyne of criminals that the police cIaasffy as ''yegg' men. He is an expert safe blower, but his appearance bellies his criminal experience. Many a safe has blown apart under his supervision. But Gray, unlike many others less sbil1ful, is unlucky in his experience with the authorities. He TUBS afOuI of the police or secret service men very frequently and has served many sentences.
 But Gray's experience as a safe blower has stood him in good stead Recognizing his ability, secret service men have enlisted him in their cause. and through Gray they have tracked to earth and convicted many another post office robber, post offices having been Gray's especial delight.
 Gray has acted as private detective for al number of leading agencies. but
 
 done for the secret service. It was this fact that was most instrume eutaI in effecting his pardon.
 Yesterday, before the state board of pardons, Attorney John P. Gray Of this city, counsel for the prisouer. presented an eloquent plea for his client, and Hardy T. Gregory, a post office inspector ably seconded the ef- forts of the Bridgeport lawyer.
 Gregory. produced letters from Mo Reynolds, Bnr1eson and other not ables endorsing Gray's previous work. and seeking pardon that he may con tinue to be of service to them.
 No less than eleven cases of post office robberies are pending in the Federal courts, he said, in which Uncle Sam wants to use Gray as a most important witness Gray has de- clared he is done with crime for all time, and while he did not bring this out in his behalf, it is0 said that his romance with the prettg girl who has been a regular visitor at the jail has played an important part in his plans for the future.
 Gray told the board of pardons of the difficulties that beset the path of the reformed criminal He told Of the agents of detective bureaus having disclosed his identity to employers, time after time, when he was leading a life of industry and toll, always with the result that he would be dfscharg- ed
 Gregory, the post office inspector who appeared for the prisoner in the Fairfield county Superior court, here. said the government depended largely on Gray a witness in a trial that was scheduled for Jan. 6, at BirminE- ham, Ala, and he asked that the pris- oner be held in the state prison at Wethersfeld until Jan 20, when he will return here to take the witness to the south.
 This is only the first of a series Of eleven important cases, chiefly post office robberies, where the testimony of Gray will be of vital importance to the government.
 Jefferson Ellis, aged 69, colored, a civil war veteran, serving a life sen tence for murder, having caused the death of Louis F'afrchf1d of Clinton 34 years ago when in a fit of anger he struck him on the head with a hammer, was another of those par doned. The others were Julius Bruch- man, sentenced to from to years for assaulting his daughter, aged 9, on his barge at South Norwatk. last spring, and whose conviction was laid to perjured testimony of his wife who sought freedom to take up with an other man; and Frank Sfrrato, sen fenced last year to from to l 0 years for assault with intent to kill i'm Mantle.