Letter from A. M. Olcott to Mississippi Governor John M. Stone; March 7, 1878

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Letter from A. M. Olcott to Mississippi Governor John M. Stone; March 7, 1878

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

People

Burt, R. L.Hebron, John Lawrence, Sr., 1832-1906 Olcott, A. M.Stone, John Marshall, 1830-1900

Events

Crimes (alleged)Crimes (alleged)--Theft Criminal Procedures Criminal Procedures--Arrest Criminal Procedures--Imprisonment Criminal Procedures--Pardon Criminal Procedures--Release Criminal Procedures--Trial Entertainment & Vices--Drug and Alcohol Consumption and Intoxication

Businesses

Convict Leasing Brokers--J. S. Hamilton & Company (Jackson, Miss.)

Occupations

Judges Medical Profession Medical Profession--Surgeons Secretaries

Places

Illinois--Madison County. Alton

Social Identifiers

African Americans African Americans--Historically Free and Newly Freed Imprisoned People Imprisoned People's Families Mental Illness Women

Vital Statistics

Death Disease and Illness Wounds and Injuries

Page 1

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Upper Alton, Ill. Mar 7 1878

Gov. Stones of Miss

Hon. Sir

Please permit me to state to you one fact in regard to Mr. Burt case when he was taken up & put in prison. He was yet at the place where he hired the horse to go to. He had not runoff with the horse, or showed any signs of wishing too. This I think should be observed and regarded in his favor. I trust it will be by you in your judgment of right for him. The harm or wrong he did was in not returning the horse home to its owner in the time he expected to when he hired it. I believe this is all the true facts in the case. It will be very difficult for you to learn true facts there of this matter—very few know of it—those that did side with those who testified falsely & unjustly, against him. Those who are his friends I wrote to (long after his imprisonment, but soon as I learned of it) to see if they could help him out by sending a petition for him to you for pardon, they answered they would do all they could for him but feared their neighbors would not like them forit ^if they did it^ also same time telling me to do it, or get some one else there to do it to send a petition to you, they believed you would release him.

The owner of the horse had it returned to him in good condition, he suffered no loss. (Mr. Burt has been many years, went well, a useful upright man, by his industry earned hundreds & thousands & did well for his family until sickness & this head disease came on him, since this derange-ment at times, he is not capable of taking care of himself. He is not one who uses strong drink. He had a fall in a barn working with hay 1875 may be one cause & & was very sick soon after for weeks. I am more anxious for him for these causes being there with such bad people in confinement

His mother died when he was six months old, my sister. I have cared for him since he was a helpless infant & have a deep interest for his happiness have ever tried to teach him to do right. I have dozens of his old letters to me that testify of right doing for years. when in business in other places.

Mr. A. M. Nelson please hand this to Governor Stones & oblige

A.M. Olcott

Page 2

I have been hoping Dr. Hebron would see you, or take the proper measures with you to release him. As he has told Mr. B he would do it that he ought to be released, advised & permitted him to write to me last summer for this purpose to help him I conclude after this long & painful delay he is not the right man to do it, I feel distressed very anxious for Mr. Burt know not his condition now, or where he is. Have not heard a word from him for about three months. He was then suffering many ways, but be believing from what Dr. Hebron told him you would soon release him from those almost unbearable circumstances. Please let me know your decision on what facts you do it. State the fact you found. I may be able to show you clearly the truth. It is a very serious and important matter to us how you learn the facts & truth in this case—how you decide it. I can treat you humbly and earnestly to be just to him, not consider only the statement of those who were against him. No other statement was allowed, heard, given or acted upon at the trial. The judge heard but one—those who testified falsely, against him—committed him to prison without permitting him to give any testimony of his innocence, or procure witnesses on his side Do you think this was right. You see he had no time or way to help himself & has not had since, and cannot until you release him Oh! I would be every way respect respectful to you and truly thankful that you have the power and ability to release this poor suffering man from prison Do you place yourself in thought for a moment in his sad unjust condition May God help you to be his merciful kind deliverer before he is longer injured. I thank you truly for the words you had in your Sec. write me Feb.18^th "That the case shall be investigated. If your information is corroborated by the facts. Mr. Burt shall be discharged from prison" I rely upon you're doing it—believe you will release him if you have not already. I am so deeply afflicted & burdened by his suffering and sad condition. my heart bleeds for him. The suspense is intolerable. no way to help relieve him or know how he is. Do you please help us in this great affliction. Is it too much for me to ask your Sec. to write us where Mr. Burt is now Is he well & able to work. Dr. H does not send us his Bs letters & has not given but one of mine to Mr. Burt since he has been there ten months. It is doubtful that we can hear from him or hear from us while he is there, which makes us feel very bad, when we have so much anxiety about him, his mind is at times so lost & bad, he needs to be with true friends, he is suffering from cold & many ways—was when he wrote us in a cage with about 80 mostly colored men. a corn sack for undershirt, rags for socks, in short he is not comfortable. Do help us make him better, place him where he can have water to wash & and drink & comforts when sick.

With highest esteem & respect

A.M. Olcott

I trust God will restore him to health, liberty & usefulness. And bless you for releasing him. Let me know if there is any thing more I can do in this matter. I want to do all my duty I hope to hear from you next week. This delay is hard to bear.