William B. Jones to Thomas E. Bramlette

Accession Number

KYR-0001-004-0492

Document Genre

Correspondence

Repository

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

Collection

Office of the Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette: Governor's official correspondence file, petitions for pardons, remissions, and respites 1863-1867

Item Location

BR9-283 to BR9-284

Place of Creation

Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky

Date of Creation

2 February 1864

Dates Mentioned

1864-02-02

--07-20

1861

1864-02-04

Bowling Green Ky 2 Febry 1864
Gov Thos E Bramlette
Frankfort Ky,
Dear Sir

Your predecessor Gov Robinson on or about the 20^th of July last, remitted two fines which had been assessed against D R Hendrick in the Warren Equity and Criminal Court, in each Case for keeping a Tippling house, The remission as I have described the Judgements as being for $60,, each,

There is a mistake in the matter, as the only two Judgments in Said Court against Mr Hendrick for Keeping Tippling house was for $200,, ^each^ rendered an Indictments, charging him with the offense in each case of keeping a Tippling house for three months at one time.

I know that ~~the~~ it was intended in the petition forwarded to Gov Robinson, to embrace and ask a remission of the Judgments in the two Judgments of $200,, each, as the petition was presented to me, and my endorsement Sought of the project. I refused to sign or endorse it, principally on account of the rule I have adopted, never to recommend any thing of the kind, unless it be a case presenting Considerably more than ordinary reasons for executive Clemency.

As it is, Mr H derives no benefit from the remission. And I think now, that as it was doubtless the intention of the Governor to remit the two Judgments which Still Stand in full force against Mr Hendrick, it would be Just, and proper that you remit the two Judgements of $200,, each, For these reasons I ask that it be done. Send the remissions to me at Franklin Ky,

I will ask you to remit another Judgt so far as you have power, I believe the only case in which I have interceded, for three years, but regarding it a meritorious Case. I make the request, The facts briefly are these,

George H Bell became the bail of Wesley Brown in the Simpson Equity & Criminal Court (Just before the rebellion) for $500,, Brown went off, and Joined the rebellion, and his bond was forfeited. Bell died in the fall or early in the winter of 1861, and Since then I have taken Judgment against his Administrator on Said forfeited bond for $500,, Mr Bell was killed at his own house, by a mob, a portion of whom were commited with Buckners Army then located at Bowling Green, and on the Same night that he was killed his dwelling house a valuable new brick mansion was burned and
destroyed by the Same mob. Since then and very recently, during a considerable Conflagration in our town (Franklin) Bell's heirs, lost a valuable house on the public Square, not insured. Their losses from the two fires were quite heavy. Bells heirs are a widow, and Several Children ^most of whom are infants^ Some of the Children afflicted permanently, and incurably, mentally, and physically, Bell's estate although entirely solvent, is much reduced, in value by said fires, and from other Consideration. His Slaves having become under the operation of the rebellion almost valueless.

For the foregoing reasons, I think it Just that So much of Said Judgment as you have power over, Should be remitted

I therefore ask, that the Judgment of the Simpson Equity, and Criminal Court rendered against the Administrator of George H Bell deceased on a forfeited bail bond be remitted, Send the remission to me at Franklin Ky, This application is made with the knowledge & consent of the Admr & heirs.

Respectfully &c.
W^m B Jones Atty
for the Comlth
4^th District

Warren Equity & Crim Ct
vs
D R Hendrick

Send the Tipling Remissions as requested by Mr Jones Atty for Comth
Tho E Bramlette

Simpson Equity & c
vs
Admr of
Geo. H Bell
$500 —
Forfeiture
4^th Feby 1864

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