Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-24
GOVERNOR ASKS TO SEE
MAN He HAD PARDONED
Crandaii Campbell, Who Surrendered
After Escape, Excites Curl
Osity Of Stuart.
HIS STORY HAS TRUE RING
Youth Claims He Struck Chance Ac-
quaintance While Drunk-Motller
Died While Boy Served on Roads
for Crime.

1T was the request of Governor
stuart that brought Crandnll Campbell.
discharged convict, nearby CARRIED in
me brownish gray suit of clothes
ing the penitcrtiary. into the executive
Offices at the state Capitol yesterday
afternoon.
Campbell had been released from
prison on conditional pardon grant
ed by the Governor, who had Interested
himseif In the case of Crandall Camp
bell without the solicitation of any
one friendly to the convict or con-
ccrned In the case. Campbell is tho
young fellow who surrendered himself
to Secretary Alexander Forward in the
Governors office last May. He told Mr..
Forward at the time that he had es-
capped some weeks before from con-
vict camp.
The secretary. after hearing his
story--a pathetic narrative in which
Campbell represented himself the VIC
Tim OF c!rcumstances--dcclin to take
nam Into custody, but directed him to
the penitentiary. Mr.. Forward took
the precaution first of communicating
with the Governor by telephone, ex-
planning that he assumed that the fugi-
tive desired to obtain some sort Of
concession in consideration OF volun-
tarily giving himself into custody.
GOT NO PROMISES
FROM GOVERNOR STUART
The Governor directed Mr.. Forward
to inform Campbell that he might ex-
pcct nothing; that he would have TO
take his medicine" When the fugitive
received this information, he replied that
he would satisfy the law and return
to the convict camp. asking only per-
mission to write to his mother, who
lived in Johnson City, Tenn. that she
might know his whereabouts. This
done, Campbell. went to the State PEN
itentiary and surrendered himself to
Superintendent Wood. The conduct Of
the young man apparently piqued the
curiosity of the Governor, who com
municated to Superintendent Wood his
desire TO see the man he had pardoncf.
The Governor was standing at his
secretary's desk yesterday afternoon
when Campbell walked In. Tie eXccu-
tive saw before him the figure Of
sturdy. muscular young fellow, with
very light brown hair. grayish blue
eyes that gazed steadily from n frank.
open countcnance upon which the trib-
ulations through which he passed since
committing his first crime had placed
n stamp OF melancholy
PARDoSED MAN AND
GOVERNOR TALK 1T OVER
You arc Governor STUART he said.
inquiringly. Tho Governor nodded.
.My name is Campbell. have come
to thank you for my pardon. They
told me you would like to see me-
Yes, wanted to see you. Camp
bell" said the Governor. do you
think I have done the right thing In
pardoning you?"
Yes sir"
You were convicted of striking the
man down. You were badly tangled
with John Barleycorn, were you?'
YES. sir 1t was this way: had
gone TO Bristol from my home In John
son City. | was In barroom and
was drinking some. The man ] had
the trouble with was in the place and
we had some words. He called me n
vile name. and was coming at me with
n knife In his hand when l struck him.
saw he aimed to draw, and remem-
bcred that had quart bottle of whis-
key in my pocket. AS he came at me
with the knife j hit him on the head
with the bottle. That is exactly how
it happened. but they didn't believe
me. The jury gave me five years on
the roads for that fight"
PROMISES TO LEAVE
JOHN DARLEYCORN ALONE
That's the truth Of it?" the Cover
nor queried.
Yes. sir. It's al! over now, but that's
just like it happened"
You are going to let Barlcycorn
alone now. Campbell. are your
Yes, SIR"
']Inve you heard from your m other"
Campbell was silent for q moment
and the melancholy expression on his
face deepened There crept into the
bluish-gray eyes a steely CLINT, and
his brow contracted.
She's dead. sir-died while I was
on the roads," he answered
Going back to Tennessee? the Gov
crnor asked, after brief pause.
Yes, sir"
what do you work at?'
81 am a plasterer, and always work.
ed with my brother jim. I'm going
back to my trade and work with jim
again"
AS Campbell. who was but nineteen
years old when he committed his first
offensc against the law, departed, Gov
crnor Stuart remarked:
II believe that fellow is telling
true story"