The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-11
Last Important Clemency Of the
Retiring Governor.
ITO Pen FOR HIS FRIEND
Sad Story of Ward b. Mower Of
WyandOtte County.
Sedgwick County Convict Killed
an Unfaithful Wife.

Governor Hodges today announced
the issuance of paroles to five men
serving time in the Kansas penitentiary
for murder. Commutations were issued
to two other murder convicts. Three
OF the men have served more than fif-
teen years.
1t is probable that the paroles today
will be the last important extensions Of
clemency by the present governor dur
ing his term in office Most OF the
men to receive consideration were ON
the list of 'friendless"-meu who were
compelled to plead their own cases
and were personally called before the
governor when he visited the state
prison this week. In the cases Of all
was granted, paroles will Immediately
be issued.
Case Of Unfaithful wife.
Thomas Green. a Sedgwick county
farmer. killed his unfaithful wife fif-
teen years ago. He was sent to pris-
on June Is. 1899. Evidence brought
before the governor showed that q
hired man who lived with the Green
family paid undue attention to Mrs.
Green. Several times the farm hand
and the farm owners wife went to
town In each others company. Not
only was the farm hand attentive to
Mrs. Green. but he also showed much
consideration for Green's two young
daughters. All Of this aroused an in
sane jealousy in Green's heart.
One day Mrs. Green went to Wich-
ita with the farm hand. On this oc-
casion Mrs. Green and the farm hand
made the trip by rail. When Mrs.
Green returned from the Wichita Wis
it, her husband met her at the edpot
with q shot gun. For the tragedy en-
acted on the depot platform. Green
was convicted Of first degree murder.
! After the trial, the hired man married
one of Green's daughters. 1t is stated
that they have separated.
To Penitentiary for . Friend.
Ward B. Mower goes back to Wyan-
dotte county a free man after little
murder in which he never partici-
pated, according to the views OF Gov
ernOr Hodges. Mower confessed to
the killing of a man named McCoig
in Kansas City, Kansas, nearly five
years ago.
Al Nance "a friend Of Mower, was
suspected of the crime. but was never
brought to trial. 1t is the belief Of
Congressman Joseph A. Taggart, then
county attorney. and many persons
who followed the course OF the trial,
that Mower confessed to the killing Of
McCoig to shield Nance who had once
ness.
Oldest Man i'm Prison.
Joseph Miller, wife murderer, goes
back to Ellsworth county after serv-
ing more than 16 years. In point Of
service, Miller is the oldest man in the
prison.
One morning, according to the story
of the crime, Miller drank three
glasses Of alcohol and water. He went
into the field to plow, returned to the
house and in q quarrel with his wife,
killed her. Miller was convicted and
sentenced to 80 years.
James Rander, alias the Denver
Kid, with Dick Williams, Is par0led.
He was convicted In Wabaunsee
county in November. 1sss,. for the
murder Of a small boy. Both men
were convicted Of first degree murder
and sentenced to life imprisonment
Both men are negroes. williams won
a parole several months ago. Rander
will leave the prison this week. OF
! his fifteen years prison life. ten and .
half years Of the time were spent in
, the penitentiary coal mines.
A Gang killing.
Leland Roberts received q Communication
which will permit him to leave the peni-
tentiary in February, 1916. He was sent
up from Graham county in 1907 for second
degree murder.
With two other young men-a negro and
| a white boy. a relative of former state
official-Roberts engaged in the killing Of
The body was buried and the three young
! men started to Kansas City when they
| were arrested. Roberts has always con-
tended that his confession OF the crime
waS to shield his accomplices and that he
waS promised sum Of money and . light
sentence. When he confessed to the muF-
der. however. he was given q life term in
prison.
Governor Stubbs commuted Roberts
! prison term to twenty years. The action
Of Governor Hodges in committing the SEN
tence to ten years. will permit the young
man to leave prison in fourteen months.
Howard Hale, who confessed killing
man in Miami county ten years ago. drew
l a twelve year communication. His term will
expire in 1916. Hale was sentenced to life
| imprisonment.
| John Walker, a negro. was sentenced
| to 81 years for the killing of another
negro in Montgomery county in 1901. He
was granted parole.
| EGGS TAKE 4 JUMP.