Letter from J. M. Baylis, D. M. Carter, and J. S. Eaton to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; August 26, 1875

Documents
Letter from J. M. Baylis, D. M. Carter, and J. S. Eaton to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; August 26, 1875

Document Network
Document Metadata

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

People

Ames, Adelbert, 1835-1933 Baylie, J. M.Carter, D. M.Chandler, G. C.Eaton, J. P.Edmonson, George S.Rhodes, Travis Ross, P.Ruberns, Felix Seal, D. B.Watts, John

Events

Crime Crime--Murder Criminal Procedure Criminal Procedure--Charges and specifications (Civil and Criminal)Criminal Procedure--Clemency Criminal Procedure--Indictments Criminal Procedure--Subpoena

Organizations

Courts and Judicial Systems Courts and Judicial Systems--Circuit Courts Courts and Judicial Systems--Grand jury Mississippi--Executive Department

Businesses

Publishers and Printers Publishers and Printers--Van Beek, Barnard & Tinsley, Stationers (Saint Louis, Mo.)

Occupations

Judges Law Enforcement Law Enforcement--Sheriffs Lawyers Lawyers. Public Prosecutors Secretaries Teamsters

Places

Alabama--Mobile County. Mobile Mississippi--Covington County Mississippi--Hancock County. Bay Saint Louis Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Mississippi--Perry County. Monroe

Social Identifiers

Fugitives from Justice Impoverished People People with Disabilities People with Disabilities--Blind Persons

Page 1

[seal]

Bay S^t Louis Hancock county Miss
Aug 267^th 1875

To his excellency
Gov A Ames
Jackson
Miss

D^r sir

you will pardon me for calling your attention again to the case of Geo S. Edmonson of covington co, who was fined one hundred dollars, at the last April term of the circuit court of that county, as defaulting witness for the state, in the case of the state vs. John Watts charged with the murder of Felix [gap]. I am just in receipt of letters from influential parties of covington county asking me if I know what you had done in the premises.

There seems to be considerable sympathy manifested for him on two or three accounts. 1^st_" they do not think he intended to evade the order of the court. 2^nd_" the destressed condition—of his family. He is largely connected in three or four counties and worthy of any clemency you may see proper to grant him. If it is not asking too much of your excellency clemency, I would be pleased to have you to extend it to him in this case, as it would meet the approval of all parties who are acquainted with the facts of the case.

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully

P. Ross

Page 2

Monroe Miss. July 10^th/75

To his Excellency
Gov. A. Ames

Dear Sir

I would respectfully ask your Excellencys clemency in my behalf in regard to a fine imposed on me by his honor Judge G. C. Chanler. The facts of the case are these. John Watts was indited by the Grandjurors of Covington County for the murder of Felix Ruberns I was subpeona as a witness for the State, and had fully intended to attend the court in accordance with the command of Said Subpeona, and had no intention to avail my duty or treat the court with disrespect. But being a drovier I had a lot of beef cattle on hand and being anxious to dispose of them Started to Mobile in ample time with the cattle to return to court, upon my arrival at Mobile I found the market stocked, and consequently imposi-ble to sell and was forced to remain there from day to day trying to affect a Sail untill it was too late to reach the court in time. Judgement was intered

Page 3

against me for one hundred dollars for failing to attend court, upon which an execution was issued and is about to be levied on what little affects I have. No blame is attached to Judge Chanler as he was ^not^ familiar with the facts and circumstances of the case, if he had of been acquainted with them I am sure he would not have imposed the fine. What I did was done with the best and purest of motive, with no intention to dodge or avade the callings of the court, believing as I have afforsaid that I had full and ample time to return to court, and did, But for the condition of the market. I am verry poor with a large and afflicted family a wife and seven children two of whom are blind a daughter thirteen years of age and a son eight, which necessarly makes them of great trouble and expense and it is with the greatest dificulty that I make them a support. I have little or no property whatever, a hundred dollars to me is worth more than thousands are to some others. I therefore ask your excellencys faverble considderation in remitting the fine thus imposed which is one hundred dollars and with greatful thanks I have the honor to be

Verry respectfully Geo. S. Edmonson

We the undersigned neighbors of Geo. S. Edmonson know him to be a gentleman of high integrity and a ^law^ abiding sitizen and know the facts above set forth by him to be true and correct in evry particular.

J. P. Eaton
J. M. Baylie
D. M. Carter

If a judgment was rendered against Mr. Edmonson as his forfeited subpoena, it was because we deemed his excuse for being absent ~~was deemed by us~~ insufficient. Without making any suggestion to the Govenor about his action on this petition, we simply endorse the three petitioners, whose names are signed to the above recommendation, as citizens of good character, whose statements are entitled to credit.

G. C. Chandler
D B Seal.

Page 4

Sent Aug. 3, 1875, to Shiff of Covington Co., also notified Geo. S. Edmondson, at Monroe, Perry Co. Miss.

Bay St. Louis Aug 15

Gov. A. Ames

The fine imposed on George S. Edmondson was at the April Term of the Circuit Court of Covington County. A. D. 1875, from which he prays to be released

D. B. Seal

Dist. Atty

Page 5

[eagle with shield]
Van Beck, Barnard & Tinsley, Stationers, St. Louis

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
Executive Office,
Jackson, Miss. July 29, 1875

D. B. Seals, Esq. Dist. Atty.
Bay St. Louis, Miss

Sir—I am directed by his Excellency, the Governor, to return the inclosed papers—in the case of Geo. S. Edmonson, fined $100⁰⁰—for correction, in that the papers do not state at what term said fine was imposed.

Respectfully

Travis Rhodes,
Private Sec'y.

Page 6

Bay S^t Louis Aug. 15,

Gov. A. Ames

Dr. Sir

I have endorsed on the back of George S. Edmondson's application for remission of one hundred dollar fine imposed by the Court of Covington Co. at the April Term 1875, as I am fa-miliar with the case and the time.

I have the honor to be

Very Respectfully

D. B. Seal
Dist Atty

Page 7

Geo. S. Edmondson.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. No. 61.
Covington County.

From Edmondson, & others
Address Monroe Perry Co., Miss.
Dated July 10, 1875.
Received _" 26, _"
Answered [gap]

SUBJECT:

Praying remission of fine of $100⁰⁰ imposed for non-attendance as witness in the case of Felix Rubern from Circuit Court, Covington County.

Remission made Aug. 3, 1875.

(2 inclosures)

ADELBERT AMES,
Governor.

Travis Rhodes
Private Secretary.