The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1915-07-06
BLAKEY GETS PAROLE
THE COURT HOUSE JANITOB is
NOW A FREE MAN.
Governor Harris Signed His Parole
Yesterday Morning. Will Return
to His Family in Americus.

Governor Harris Signed His Parole
Yesterday Morning. Will Return
to His Family in Americas.
Mr., w. B. Blakey, the janitor of
the court house who was sent to
Dawson last March from the state
prison farm on the request of the
county commissioners, received tel
egram yesterday from his attorneys
announcing that Governor Harris had
granted him a parole yesterday morn
ing.
Blakey was sent up from Americas
in 1912 for ten years for manslaugh-
ter, having killed a Greek Snowman
connected with a carnival company
playing in that town, and had
served 81 months of his sentence.
Blakey at the time of his trial con-
tended that the killing was in self
defense, as the Greek had mistaken
him for some one else who had dis
turbed him the night before, and was
ADVANCING Ou ulll Win d hhllC WlACh
he shot him to save his own life.
The prison commission unanimous
ly recommended Blakey's parole
during the term of Governor Slaton,
but the governor did not pass on it,
and left it as unfinished business for
Governor Harris to dispose of.
During Blakey's service here as the
janitor of the county court house he
has been treated with every courtesy
and consideration possible to show a
man in his position. He was furnish
ed comfortable quarters in the court
house and received his meals at the
home of Deputy Sheriff John Ed
Thomas, who treated him as though
he was not serving a sentence. In
return Blakey has proven himself
worthy of the confidence and cOnsid-
Grafton extended him by his exem-
plary conduct and fidelity to his du-
ties. He has kept the court house in
a clearly condition, winning the COM
mendation of the grand jury at the
May term of superior court.
Mr.. Blakey will leave for Americas
as soon as the papers in the case are
received from the governors office to
join his wife and five children, and
will devote the remainder of his life
to their support and comfort. He is
Mergenthaler linotype operator,
having worked for The News in 1912,
and will no doubt again take up his
former trade. He has asked The News
to publish the following card:
Blakey's Gard.
Editor Dawson News: l desire to
extend my sicerest thanks to the
good people of Dawson and
Terrell, especially the county Of
ficers, for the kind treatment they
have accorded me during my stay in
Dawson. Not few but all the peo-
pie have come in contact with have
been more than kind and considerable
of me, and l am especially grateful
to the prison commission and the
governor for granting me the liberty
for which | craved. During my stay
in Dawson l have tried to prove wor-
thy of the confidence placed in me by
the officers and the people. and trust
that l have disappointed none Of
them. l will always hold Dawson
and Terrell county in grateful re-
membrance, and hope to live to make
a good citizen worthy of their respect
and friendship. w. B. BLAKEY.
Blakey made many friends in Daw-
son and the county while here who
manifested much interest in his eff
forts for a pardon, and he has been
heartily congratulated since receiv-
ing it.