Page:Special message of the governor of Iowa to the seventeenth General assembly, communicating report of pardons and remissions (IA specialmessageof00iowa).pdf/20

18 in the recommendation contained in the letters written by our fellow-citizens, E. S. Carl, Esq., Messrs. Dow, Gilman & Hancock, and Koehler & Lange, sheriff Leonard and others, in relation to the pardon of said Egglesht.” Pardon is granted in this case for the reasons set forth by the petitioners.

November 3. Crime, assault with intent to commit murder. Sentence, penitentiary for the term of three years. Convicted July 12, 1876, in the district-court of Boone county. Committed to the penitentiary, August 2, 1876. A petition, signed by about one hundred and fifty citizens of Boone county, solicited pardon on the ground of sufficient punishment. The trial judge concurred with the petitioners. Pardon in this case was granted solely to save Condon’s life, or prevent him from becoming an invalid. The penitentiary physician says, “October 14, 1877: I think it my duty to inform you, that the disease of Joseph Condon has lately so much and rapidly increased, that if not removed from here soon he will become permanently a miserable invalid, and in all probability will soon die.”

November 28. Crime, larceny. Committed to the penitentiary of the state on the 15th day of April, 1874, by reason of a judgment of the district-court of the county of Polk, dated the 13th day of April, 1874, for the term of eight years. The trial judge says, “I had some doubt as to Admire’s guilt.” Gen. Given says, “As district-attorney, I prosecuted the case. Admire was a stranger, was in very bad company, and was tried when the city was rife with crime. These facts had more to do with his conviction and sentence than any confidence in the evidence of guilt. I will add, that after a careful review of the testimony, I am led to believe, not only that he was not proven guilty, but, in fact, was not guilty, and therefore I hope he may be released.” My predecessor, who had given this case considerable attention, expressed doubts as to his guilt. After a careful examination of the testimony, I am satisfied that Admire was not guilty of the crime charged.

December 19. Sentenced at the August term of the Delaware district-court to imprisonment in the county jail for five months, and to pay a fine of $25, for cheating by false pretenses. Petition for pardon was signed by five county officers, Hon. J. M. Brayton, Col. J. H. Peters, attorney for prosecution, the mayor, recorder, and postmaster of Manchester, Col. S. G. Van Anda, Hon. Albert Boomer, and thirty other residents of Delaware county. The prisoner’s previous good character, his family’s needs, the condition of