Letter from Thomas J. Norton to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; April 2, 1871

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Letter from Thomas J. Norton to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; April 2, 1871

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Document Metadata

Each transcribed document contains links that connect it to other documents on the same topic in the collection.

People

Alcorn, James Lusk, 1816-1894 Baker, Conrad, 1817-1885 Hewson, Harry Francis, 1849-1891 Norton, Thomas J.Phillips, Z. A., u.-1873 Watts, John

Events

Crimes (alleged)Crimes (alleged)--Jail Escapes Crimes (alleged)--Larceny Crimes (alleged)--Theft Criminal Procedures Criminal Procedures--Arrest Criminal Procedures--Convicted Criminal Procedures--Imprisonment Criminal Procedures--Pardon Criminal Procedures--Pleading Criminal Procedures--Sentencing Criminal Procedures--Trial

Organizations

Mississippi--Executive Department Mississippi--State Penitentiary (Jackson)

Occupations

Judges Secretaries Teamsters

Places

Indiana Indiana--Monroe County. Bloomington Mississippi--Hinds County Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson

Social Identifiers

Fugitives from Justice Imprisoned People

Page 1

[seal]

Penitentiary
Jackson Miss
Apl 2^nd/71

To His Excellency J. L. Alcorn

Sir I feel an Ex-treme delicacy in addressing you from the Nature of My appeal and also Knowing how Many appeals have made to you, but Sir the Extremity I am in Shall be My apology

The object of writting this is to try ~~and~~^to^ get your influence in procuring a pardon from the Governor of the State of Indiana

The case is this In November 1865 I was arrested in Bloomington Ind JuCharged with Grand Larceny, Convicted and Sentenced for The term of four years to the Penitentiary. I had been there but a Short time when I was put to Driving a Team and after Serving inas Teamster for 8 or 10 months I made my Escape and Made my way to Mississippi and in November 67 was arrested in this City Charged with Horse stealing Tryed before & Sentenced four years to the Penitentiary by the H^on Jno Watts

In asking you for aid I have this to Say I have tryed to make myself useful and as much as was in my power worked for

Page 2

the Interest of the Institution for the truth of this I confidently Refer you to our worthy Superintendent Co^l,, Z. A. Philips

I do not plead innocence but I trust I am a Reformed Man one ~~that~~ that is able and Shall Strive to Lead an honest life in future. Such being My honest Determination I hope I do not ask too Much when I aske your aid in procuring from the Governor of Indiana My pardon I Refer you to the Officers of the Prison as to the course I have pursued

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt

Tho^s,, J. Norton

Page 3

PRECIS.
[gap]

No'.

Executive Office,
State of Mississippi,
County of Hinds

From Tho^s. J. Norton
Address Jackson
Dated Ap'l. 10. "71
Received —
Answered —

Convict in the Penitentiary convicted of crime in Indiana, asks Gvr's to obtain pardon for him from the Gov. of that state. Pleads good conduct not innocenct

JAMES L. ALCORN,
Governor.

H. F. HEWSON,
Private Secretary.