Petition from the Citizens of Wilkinson County, Mississippi, to Mississippi Governor John M. Stone; February 14, 1879

[seal]

Jackson Miss Feby 15^th 1879.

Col A. M. Nelson Jackson Miss

Dear Sir:

In reply to yours of this date would state that John Thomas sentenced from Wilkinson County was not sent to the walls, The Sheriff of Wilkinson County was instructed to deliver him to Mr. W. H. Noble. Sub-lessee, of that county.

Plunner Russ, convict from Washington County is at present with Mr. C. H. Smith, near Greenville, Miss. He has been punished once since his admission into the Penitentiary.

Your Truly

Macione Finch Supt

From Superintendent Smith' Relates to John Thomas and Plummer Russ

Rec^d. at Execution Office February 15^th. 1879,

[seal] Will practice in the coun-ties of Wilkinson, Adams, and Amite, and the Supreme and Federal Courts at Jack-son, Miss. [/seal]

Attorney and Counsellor at Law,

Woodville, Miss., Feby 11^th 1879

Governor

A petition has been forwarded to you for the pardon of John Thomas—Col^d—Convicted at our Decr. Special Term of [Killing?] a pig & sentenced to six months. I think it was in the penitentiary—

This case is one of peculiar merit—the stolen pig was on [old?] his possn on John's Corn [palete?] & was killed "in the act" [?]—John did afterwords oppropriate the meat

The [?] whites in the neighborhood—our best Citizens—[ful?] peculiarly grateful to John-in this—It was in that neighborhood—The [?] Wilkinson Riots of May '76 Commenced—John first notified [?] White & it was through his [?] mentality—that they were able to [?] the outbreak promptly & Check [in?] effectivelly. John all through was on the side of the Whites—of law & order—has been in consequence greatly persecuted by his own color—his gun taken from him &c

[Winter?] all the circumstances & in [agreements?] the wishes of our citizens generally I feel emboldened to make a personal appeal to you for Executive Clemency in care of John Thomas—

We all feel that his pardon will do good & in justice to him [it?] is we ask it—

I dislike very much to trouble you about such things & can [truthfully?] promise that I will never do so unless there is merit in the case.

But for-reasons [stated?] I do feel greatly interested in this case—as do our citizens especially those of his neighborhood—Even the blacks join in asking for his pardon—

Again asking to be excused for [this?] trespassing on you I beg to remain

Very respectfully & truly

H. S. VanEaton

movements of his case, against the whites. The white people of the Donegul precinct believe that they are greatly indebted to John Thomas, for his said service in that crisis.

[His?] Honu, Judge Chrisman, [?] [prominent?] sentence on said John Thomas being informed of these facts, was duly impressed thereby, and in the Bench expressed a great reluctance to senten-cing John Thomas, but was in duty bound to do so. His sentence was light. But our people are grateful to John Thomas for his said services, and in his present Trouble desire to assist him. He is well stricken in years, and is a simple minded, peacable man. The law, in his case has been amply vindi-cated, in his conviction and the punish-ment that he has already suffered, he respectfully submit to your Excellency that premises [considered?], and especially thhe great public service rendered by John Thomas, that this case will favorably command itself to your Excellency [fam-able?] consideration, and that you will consider