Stanford Kenty 28" July 1865
His Excellency Governor T. E. Bramlette

The undersigned Citizens of Lincoln County would respectfully represent, that at the March Term of the Lincoln Circuit Court 1864, they were Empanneled charged and sworn as the trial Jury in the cause of the Commonwealth vs Oliver Stouten for horse stealing, in which cause it was proven the defendent that he and one John Lowman together with a woman were in rout from Richmond Kentucky to this place and whilst sojourning said Lowman went to the residence of one Skelton Wrenfrow and stole two horses — to which the woman aforesaid deposed, Stouten objected and refused to ride either of the stolen horses until the came to a creek, when Lowman drew his pistol and ordered Stouten to Mount said Stolen horse or he would shoot him, whereupon he mounted the horse and rode him to Mrs Meffords in this County where the horses were captured together with Stotuten She further deposed that Stouten, constantly urged Lowman to turn out the horses and let them return to the Owner.

It was further proven for the defendent that when overtaken by the persuing party Lowman made his escape, but defendent although he saw the persuers at some distance made no Effort to Escape but came up meeting them and readily told where the stolen horses were hid in the bursh, protesting that he was all the while attempting to get Lowman to turn out the horses under the above state of facts he paid no regard

to the testimony of the female witness believing her a public prostitute, and therefore unworthy of credit on oath and in our finding assessed The punishement of defendent at five years — imprisonement, in the state prison of Kentucky, where he has remained since March 1864

Believing said Stouten has been sufficiently punished and in the uncertainty of proof not Knowing how much of Either truth or falsehood was detailed by the female witness aforesaid we beg your Excellency will now pardon said Oliver Stouten for the Crime aforesaid and permit him to return to the home of his family again

Respectfully &c
Joseph M^cAlister
H P Young
Saml Reid
W. M. Higgins
G. A. Lackey
John W Logan
Dayton Tucker
J. W. Holztclow
A Anderson

Lincoln Cir Ct
vs
Jas O Stoughton
Pardoned
4 Aug /65