Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-25
GOVERNOR PAnDONs
HARRISON W|CH-E-WAH
Indian Convicted Of Murder In New
port News Leaves PEN
itentiary.
HAD GOOD PRISON RECORD
Was Connected With "101 Ranch"
at jamestown Exposition, and Shot
Girl to Whom He Had Been Pay
ing Attention-Other Parions.

Governor Stuart yesterday afternoon
disposed of the last OF the pardon ap-
pHcations in the long list to which he
mas given careful consideration this
sprinS. Executive clemency was exer-
clsed IN several cases. while In others
,he Governor declined to interfere with
me execution of the sentences imposed
vs. the different courts
Harrison wich- e-wah, the half-breed
indian, who has been for nearly six
years the most picturesque figure
amonH the convicts employed on the
public roads, IN among the fortunate
men whose liberty Is restored.
Wich-ewah was convicted in tho
Corporation Court OF Newport News
~ July. 1903. OF the murder OF
ms sweetheart. New Yorn wo-
man, who vas then living In New
uort News. He was a crack pistol shot
and rider, performing with the Miller
Brothers lol Ranch during the Jaines-
town Exposition When the exposition
crossed and the lhl Ranch OUTFIT was
packing for jump TO New York.
ich-c-"ah. In mis- ring costume Of
cnaps. spurs. WOODEN shirt with it's roll
ing collar. and sirdled By his cartridge
belt and holsters into which his re-
foiH.rs we're thrust. paid parting call
on his girl lie war to sail with mis-
show Tn the morning from Norfolk.
W1CH-E-WiH SAWS
SHOOTING WAS ACCIDENTAL
When the report Of pistol attracted
passers-by into the girls home half
an hour after WITCH wah had entered
the house tho girl lay mortally wound
ed and Wich-ewah stood beside her
BODY smoking revolver in his hand.
he said no had taken the gun from it's
holster and was twirling II around his
forefnser. a familiar cowboy trick.
while convers'ng with the woman, and
II had accidentally exploded. killing
her.
There were no eye~itnesses to the
killing. The half-breed's story was dis
credited and the jury found him guilty
OF second degree murder, liking his
punishment at twelve years In prison.
"ich-e-wah had been adopted into
the tribe Of Potawatami Indians
whose reservation is in Kansas. He
bore good name on the reservation
and was popular with tho Indians
When the tribe learned Of his arrest
they provided fund for his defense
and sent lawyer from Kansas TO rem
resent him AT the trial. Several OF the
governments Indian agents In Kansas
ana Oklahoma also interested them
selves In the case.
PERSISTENT EFFORTS
TO SECURE PARDON
After Wich -e-wah's conviction efforts
were made to secure his release by
his friends. Every few months a Pc
tition 70. his pardon was presented TO
the Governor OF Virginia. This con-
'inued through six years. The convict
mad friends in the different counties
through which he moved with the road
SSnSs. His magnificent physique dig
n!hed carriage and pleasing address at
tacted tho attention OF county Officers
20 tho convict, and the story he told.
in which ne represented himself TO he
an innocent man. the victim OF circum-
stances, won sympathy for him. Promi-
ntnt men In different counties have
written to the Governors once in the
last FIVE years. expressing their conv!c-
t'On that Wich wah's story OF tho
tragedy In which he figured was true.
The government Indian agent in
kansas has several times sent petit
lions to the different Governors in be-
half OF Wich-e-wah. State and county
officers In Kansas and Oklahoma, and
Charles w. Rex, OF Richmond. who was
general manager OF the lol Ranch dur
!ng the jamestown Exposition, made eff
forts in his behalf. The trial Judge and
the Commonwealth's attorney al New
port News, however. repeatedly refused
TO indorse any petition for the pardon
OF the half-breed.
COMMOSWEALTH's ATTORNEY
FINALLY WON OVER
Soon after Governor Stuart'8 admin
istration began the convicts friends re-
neued THAR Tha Gnvar-