Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1916-03-03
was sentenced to death for being a spy

Senator Henderson Eey..u his efforts
in behalf of the prisoner by laying the
case before the secretary OF war. Mr.
Stanton made an investigation of the
case and decided that the sentence Of
the accused was deserved and must
be carried out.
Then Senator Henderson appealed to
the president.
Mr.. Lincoln during the war was re-
gar,led by those high in command as Il
stumbling block to military discipline.
So tender hearted was he that he
could not refrain from interfering in
the case of deserters from the Union
army and such persons on the Con-
federate side as were caught snug
Cling cont-ahand goods or information
into the south. Often, where the ac-
cusations were clearly proved, the pres
ident would defeat justice by par
don. 1t is related that Secretary Stan
ton, to whom was given great power
to thwart this interference on the part
Of the president, on presentation of an
order from Mr. Lincoln in behalf Of
some luckless individual would tear it
up, thus declining to respect it. But in
this case the president overruled the
secretary and ordered new trial for
the condemned man.
The hopes that were raised in ALL
mon Vaughan by this interference
were doomed to disappointment. The
officers of the court, refusing to per
NIT their feelings to influence them,
returned second verdict Of guilty.
Again the president was appealed to.
again he ordered another trial, and
again the same verdict was returned.
Naturally these three trials con
sumed a great deal of time, and when
the last verdict was returned the
spring of 1865 had opened, and the
end of the war was in sight. Senator
Henderson refused to be discouraged
There was one means Of saving George
vuughan's life that had not been util-
lied. President Lincoln possessed the
pardoning power in such cases, and
the senator resolved to make an eff
fort. in that direction.
Visiting the White House, he OBJ
ident and solicited pardon for the
condemned Confederate, urging the
fact that the war was practically over
and such an act Of clemency would
go far to bringing the Confederates of
Missouri back into the Union fold.
"See Stanton" said Mr.. Lincoln, land
tell him that this man must be re-
leased
II have seen him." replied the SEN
ator, land he will do nothing"
See him again" said the president,
and If he will do nothing come back
to me-"
Again Senator Henderson sought the
iron secretary, who set his square
jaws and refused to interfere with the
verdict Of the court martial. Had
Allmon Vaughan known of this final
effort to save his brother from an ig-
death and of the shadow
that was then hanging over the only
man who could save him he would
have lost all hope. "
1t was the 14th of April, 1866. Sen
ator Henderson called upon the pres
ident to report the issue of his final
effort with the secretary Of war. The
senator was shown to Mr.. Lincoln's |
private room, where he found him !
dressing for the theater.
"Mr. Stanton will do nothing" said
Henderson. There is no hope"
Mr.. Lincoln shook his head; then ,
without a word he seated himself at /
a desk and, taking up pen and paper.
began to write.
No other such scene fraught with life
and death occurred during those dark
days of war. Placed on canvas by an
artist it would be: The long, gaunt |
president. sitting at his desk about to
write pardon for one Of his coun-
try's enemies, his face wearing an ex-
preston of magnanimity. Near by
would stand the senator, silently won
dering what the writing would be and
hoping for victory. Overlooking the
president is the Shadow of Death, wear
ing mingled expression of disappoint-
ment and ion-disappointment |
at being cheated out Of one victim,
at the certainty Of secur-
ing far more important one in the |
man who was robbing him of the other
When Mr.. Lincoln had written few
lines he handed the paper to the SEN
ator. Henderson scanned it with a
look Of mingled pleasure and triumph.
1t was q pardon for George Vaughan
and an order for his release.
Having expressed his gratitude to
Mr. Lincoln the senator hurried to the |
telegraph to fash the good news to
Missouri. relieving the strain on the
Confederate and gladden.
the hearts Of his brother and others
who loved him.
But the president, shortly after this
act of mercy. descended to car
rage and was driven to the theater |