The Penn's Grove record., 1913-07-18
INNOCENT MAN
GAINS FREEDOM
Came From Poland, Imprisoned
on False Testimony
In JAIL YEAR AND ONE-HALF
Pathos in Story of John D~revjarka
Sent to State Prison from Perth
Amboy-Convicted of a Crime
He Did Not Commit.
Especial Trenton Correspondence

Especial Trenton Correspondence
Trenton.-In the release of John
Drevjarka, formerly of this city, from
State prison by an order of the Board
of Pardons, the belief of a few friends
In his innocence has been finally vim
Dictated. The innocent man has been
restored to his freedom and his family
and will take up his life work again
and seek to live down whatever oppro-
brium may be attached to his term as
a criminal in a penal institution. The
story of Drevjarka's conviction and
Imprisonment has its pathetic side,
and there is enough material in con-
nection with the case for the plot of
a best seller" When Drevjarka was
arrested on a serious charge nearly
two years ago there were few who
had any faith in his broken p%rotesta-
lions of innocence. The evidence
against him seemed to be overwhelm-
ing. A jury quickly declared him guilty
and he was taken from the county
jail at New Brunswick to Trenton on
December 26, 1911, after having spent
the most unhappy Christmas in his
life.
Native of Poland.
Drevjarka, a native of Poland, had
come to this country leaving his wife
and five children at home until he had
made a home for them in this country.
He was As years of age, and thought
much of his wife and children. He
soon found employment in Perth Am
boy and set about to save every dol
lar to pay for the passage of his loved
ones to this country. Then, like a
thunderbolt, when he was almost ready
to send for them, it was alleged that
he had made an attack upon a young
girl. Protestations were vain, and he
was sent to prison.
When the doors of the State prison
closed on Drevjarka there was great
bitterness in his heart. He still pro-
tested that he was innocent of the
charge, yet the only n who seemed
to have any faith in him was George
L. Burton, of New Brunswick, a young
attorney, and later a member of the
Assembly. Burton accepted the state
ments of Drevjarka as the truth.
Suspicion of Perjury.
Unlocking over the testimony upon
which the accused vas convicted,
young Burton decided some of it had
the appearance of perjury. He en-
gagged a detective and the detective in
gratiated himself into the good will
of the household of the mother who
had made the charge against the in
man in State prison. He ulti-
mately obtained admissions from both
the mother and the daughter which
proved that Drevjarka was not guilty.
All this happened six months ago. 1t
had to be put in proper Shape and
to the Board of Pardons.
This was done, and by dint of hard
work ard a firm determination to eff
feet the release of hfs client Lawyer
Burton had the satisfaction Of getting
the pardon. Here is still another side
of the case. Drejarka out of
State prison with no feelings against
those who were really responsible for
his term in that institution. He intends
to remain in the land to which he
came who SO much hope, believing
that he will now enjoy that liberty
of which he thought so much while in
his native land. He a not express
his appreciation for the efforts of his
counsel, Assemzlyman Burton, who
is almost as happy as the man whose
release he effected through his per-
sistency.
No Extra Session.
Acting Governor Fielder stated at
Sea Girt that he had not thought SER
iously of calling a special session of
the Legislature to determine the true
status of affairs in the Jersey City
commission government muddle. He
said that the newspaper reports to the
effect that he had announced that
such a session would be held, or that
was even thinking of such a thing,
were ridiculous and published without
any authorization or expression from
him. He said that in his mind there
has appeared nc necessity for such a
course, the situation looking as though
the Wittpenn men are grasping a last
straw to hold the berths from which
they have to sever themselves since
tie election of a few weeks ago. He
discussed the mater from the view of
Incorporation Counsel Warren Dixon,
whose Interpretation of the Walsh
commission government act is that
there must to a total vote equal to
that of the vote cast for the combined
candidates for the General Assembly
at the last election. He said such an