Iditarod pioneer., 1915-09-04
CONVICT BRONSON'S
 CHARGE UNFOUNDED

Angus Bronson, who was convicted ln this city in 1912 of participation in the dar- ing tram robbery between Flat City and Iditarod, has written from the United States penitentiary at McNeil island to Dan Calla- han of Fairbanks the following letter;
 "Dan Callahan Fairbanks, Alaska
 My Dear Sir: Desiring to bring certain details of my case to your attention, l ad- dress you at this time, trusting that same will merit your serious consideration. Briefly stated, then, the case is this: 1 was con victed in 1912 of having participated in the | hold-up of tram car north of Flat City, and the theft of $30,OO0 in gold dust and currency and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment. The principal witnesses against me were Chapman and another man, and it is now believed by many people who | have gone into the case since then that they testified against me to save themselves. But, be that as it may, have affidavits proving l. That it was physical impossibility for me to have taken any part in the crime. 9 That Chapman perjured himself in his testimony against me. 3. That Crossley schooled the witnesses to tell the same story against me. The originals of these attl davits together with transcripts of the tes timony of Chapman and the other man, and my formal application for executive elem ency, are now in the hands of the depart ment of justice. have placed copies of the affidavit and application in the hands ot the inspector of prisons, and he talks very l favoraby about the case. l have learned since filing my papers that no acton will be taken without the recommendation of either the judge or the prosecuting attorney. In this connection l have only to say that this is impossible, so far as it concerns the prosecutor; his attitude during the trial, and the fact that he used illegal methods | to prepare testimony against me, IS ample proof of that. Then again, Henry Roden, after accepting $50 for the defense, sold me out by accepting the position ot assistant l prosecutor during the trial, and worked against me with full knowledge of the defense in advance The foreman of the petit jury contributed to the S32O0 reward offered, and Bennett James, one of the com plainants, was also member of the grand jury which indicted me. You can see how much chance 1 have to secure favorable recommendation from the prosecutor. But l have filed with my papers, petition car rying nearly 400 names of people in Alaska, headed by four members of the legislature, which shows very clearly what the people think about it. The only chance that l have now is to secure favorable recom- mendation of the judge (Overheld), now in Los Angeles, Cal.
 Now, the one thing that will do more to help me than anything else at this time is for few of my friends to write MT. Overfeld and thus influence him to seri- | +bo nd then, if he thinks the case warrants it, to recommend executive clemency. If you will do this for me, and also send to me per sCnal recommendation setting forth what you know of me my character, etc, it will place me under lasting obligation to you. I am writing to Charles D. Jones of Nome and Dan Sutherland of Ruby also with the same request After allowing time for the communications asked for to reach Mir. | Overteld, 1 shall forward to him my own statement. and then it will be up to him. Il might add that the court records of this case will bear out every statement that 1 make, and if I can secure the recommen- dation of the judge, 1 am confident that will be liberated. In addition to my other troubles, 1 am now facing the probable ne cesslty of a surgical operation at an early date due to bladder trouble, and this makes me doubly anxious to secure action. If you care to you might have talk with Billy Casey, at the Northern hotel He was in Iditarod at the time of the holdup and also at the time of my trial, and he can throw some light on the case. Again, 1 might call your attention to the fact that with Maltby representing the defense, Crossley could hardly have failed to secure con viction, regardless of the nature of the case but 1 was up against the necessity of taking him or nobody, and l knew nothing of legal procedure Drop me line, and please write to Mir. Overfeld as soon as you can l see by the papers that you are still city l dad Glad of it. Give my best wishes to any who ask, and accept same for your self. Trusting that shall hear from you l sono, l am very truly yours
 ANGUS BRONSON" Bronson's Statement Declared False | Bronson's statement contained in the above letter, that Henry Roden, after ac- , cepting $50 for the defense sold me out by accepting the office of assistant prose cutor during the trial" is declared by E. M. Stanton to be unqualifedly false. He states that MT. Roden had absolutely no connection with the prosecution of Bron- son.
 The assertion by Bronson that he has filed petition containing the names of 400 persons in Alaska headed by four mem bers of the legislature" will be news to many residents of this district