Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-12-21
Good News
That Arrived
Too Late

convict, wasting away lingering illness who
~ had served seven of 2O-year highway
robbery in Monterey County All time he had been
model prisoner But he had been
life and the confinement and terrible noroonv ~ nris
routine Slapped his health
Sickness overcame him. and when at last the unfor-
tnac was carried to the nfirmary the physicians shook
their heads skepticay not care whether he
lived or died, for he had nothing live for
He will most certainly die if he stays here" the
verdict OF the doctors If he could only have his freedom
ana 20 back among his FRIENDS there might be chance
TO save him, for it's the prison life that's killing
The sick mans presented to the prison board
which before long recommended that he be freed
decision to the Governor agreed TO grant
pardon. But before taking final action Governor
is the custom communicated with the attorney
of Monterey for his opinion The district attorney very
busy so the letter remained unanswered on his desk
When the pardon papers brought to the Governor
10 be signed ne suddenly recalled that he had never
received The district attorneys recommendation and with
held his signature
In the meantime the convict grew steadily weaker
The sight Of his friends sense of freedom might
have brought instant turn for the better now
almost too late to him. days dragged by
Finally the attorney was reminded Of the letter
that hc had overlooked and his recomer-
dalton was mailed to the Executive Mansion.
The pardon papers brought out again for
Governors signature and about that moment letter
arrived from the warden OF San Quentin The G+ertaf
had taken his pen, ready to srn when the
letter caught his and he hastily read It, The pen
from his fingers.
IT'S too late" he said simply. The prisoner died
this morning"
About the same time Arnold Weber was III in New
Yorks Sing Sing Prison where serving three-year
term for larceny One day the good news came that he
to be pardoned.
Well ! don't get well I can at least die in peace
back home with wife by my side he breathed I just
couldn't bear the thought of having died in Jail"
But the pardon took long time Several more days
passed When last it by six
Arnold Weber dead.
Not so long ago policeman named Harry Ioh. Of
Rochester New York found a middle-aged man in rags
and tatters lying half a doorstep. was
midwnter and icy blasts whistled through the
streets The officer could not determine whether the
suffering from alcoholism the frgd weather Never
theless he sent the victim to the hospital where he
registered Albert Coleman and suffering from
Later the patient little told meager
facts about himself He had lost his position in Chicago
months before wandering
the country seeking work when he arrived Rochester
For two days the man fingered. then he died His
suferings had undermined constitution such an
extent that it had been too late TO save him
Albert Coleman buried Pottcrs Field A week
later advertisement appeared in the Chicago papers
asking his whereabouts while the Bureau of Missing
Persons endeavored 10 locate him relative had
died in Minnesota, leaving large farm and estate OF
100000 The man who had starved to death was the only
heir
Perhaps the most stories Of good news
that came too late concerned Miss Dora Spears of Hunt
ngton Virginia who engaged marry young
business named Samuel Rittenhour. There
devoted couple in town one day young Rttcnhour
called out Of town business. He would have to be
gone several weeks he explained TO his ancee but
promised faithfully to write her letter day during
his absence.
But by some strange prank Of fate his nissves went
asray Days passed with word from him. Then Dora
up mind that Samuel had fosaken her Despond
en with grief to her and locked the
pistol shot echoed throughout the house.
Dora Spears had killed herself.
That very day Rttenhour returned and he hurried
girls expecting to find her there to welcome him
He was at the door by the bereavcd father
where's Dora ?" asked the young man
Dora killed herself five hours ago the quiet reply
Later that day heard the story Of the missing
and how the hcart-broken girl had been driven to
day after the funeral Samuel Rittenhour lay dead
across the grave OF Dora Spears Police found bottle
containing deadly combination of bichoride Of mercury
and carboic acid beside him