Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-02-29
GOVERNOR Still
HOLDS The PASS
FOR mrs. ROSS
Woman Prisoner Sent Home
by Warden Shook, Who
Ignored Request Made by
Governor Alexander.

What is olassed as deep seated per-
sonal and political prejudice exhibited
by Warden John Shook of the state
penitentiary. who has been in the lime
light because of the cont -oversy over
the conditions surrounding the women'S
ward NJ the states penal Institution,
has created not little amusement
among those familiar with the facts OF
the Ross case. Had the warden fol-
lowed out the request of the governor,
which he refused TO do, or ignored. he
would not now be out railroad fare
from Boise to Burley over the Oregon
Short Line. The net result is that the
governor is holding a pass over the
/ Oregon Short Line and is at loss to
know what to do with it. That railroad
very courteously supplied the pass for
Mrs Ross,
! Governor Alexander granted re-
prieve to Mrs. Ross, the Albion woman
sent to the penitentiary with her hus-
band. two sons and step-sop. plainly
stating his reasons for Coing so. He
| thought the ends of justice would be
best served by removing Mrs Ross
l from the gloom of the penal ins.itu-
ton and. for the sake of humanity. is
sued the reprieve In fact the gever-
nor exhibited personal interest in the
case and arranged to not only supply
her with clothing, but funds Others
became interested and volunteered to
make contributions. For this action
the governor was quite generally COM
imended over the state.
What Facts Are.
The reprieve was formally issued.
followin, the announcement OF its
granting, and at noon week ago to-
iday. or on the anniversary OF the birth
of Washington. Feb. 80. was delivered
H. Mr.. Walker. the representative OF
the warden duly deputized TO receive
lit. The governor had gone to CANYON
lcounty to deliver a Washington day adj
dress. His secretary notified MIR. Walk
er at that time that the governor wish
ed to have Mrs. Ross brought to the
governors office as he wanted to give
her some money and clothes, At the
same time the secretary called this
children's home and arranged with Or
Chalfant To-, the delivery of Mrs. Ross
baby to he- after she left the pen'ten-
tiary. Or. Chalfant was informed tha'
an attendant at the penitentiary woulC
accompany Mrs. Ross, they would stol
for the h by and then SO on to the gov
ernor's office. This arrangement Wa
made so as TO clear any doubt over le-
gal complications that might involv,
the child in the home. There was som,
conv ersation at the time on the part o
Mr. Walker as to how much worse of
Mrs. Ross would be at Albion withou
funds than being In the penitentiar,
, where she could be cared for He wa
assured that Mrs. Ross would be givei
sufficient funds 10 tide her over an,
that she would proba bl, find some en-
ploymeut. at which she could remain
with her family, as taking in washine
With Mr.. Walker it was understoo'
that Mrs. Ross. then. woild he broush
to the governors office in the after
noon.
Warden Grandstands.
Warden Saook. however. when h
, learned that the governor had certain
funds to give to Mrs. Ros immediately
arranged to disregard the request o
the chief executive Of the STATE an,
, liberated Mrs. Ross under authority @
= ltha reprieve had her child ta.cn on
the ch.lG,ens home and placed in he
charge and put her on an east boun
When the appointed hour Of 4 o'cloc'
came for Mrs. Ross TO arrive at tn
governors office she failed to appea
under the escort OF n prison attendant
Inquiry was then made at the peniten
tiary and il was learned that the ward
!. en- had absolutely disregarded the re
quest of the governor; that he had de
lnheratels arranged to liberate MIR:
Ross Immediately; that he saw tina
her child was returned: that he hel
her at the penitentiary until o'cloc
Of that day when he took her TO III
train. purchased her ticket and sen
her home.
In the meantime the pass which tn
Oregon Short Line had furnished fo
I. Mrs. Ross TO take her to her home wa
= being held at tho governors office, 10
gether with financial aid which Ia
=. heen arranged FOR.