Covington, Ky. Oct 16^th 1865
To the Hon. Thomas E. Bramlette
Governor of the Com'th of Kentucky —

The Undersigned, Citizens of Covington, respectfully represent that in the Circuit Court for the County of Kenton, held in this City, at the September Term thereof 1865, Thomas Estep was tried, convicted and fined $50, on an Indictment for, with a pistol, shooting at James Westowrth with the intent to Kill or wound him. These are substantially the material facts proven in the trial: — Wentworth without provocation struck Frank Estep, brother of Thomas, a violent blow in the face & eye, causing Frank to reel and fall, whereupon Thomas instantly drew and fired, two shots — one of these went in the ground, the other in the air, and once the pistol missed fire, Wentworth was not five feet from him when the firing occurred. One witness said the pistol was in the direction of Wentworth — two witnesses said it was not pointed at

Wentworth, and one that Thomas Estep did not shoot at Wentworth, but shot in the air, and one that he knocked the pistol up and the charge went in the air.

The jury were of the opinion that the evidence authorized a conviction and so found. It was contended for Estep, that, for the sole purpose of protecting his brother from further injury, he fired in the air to intimidate Wentworth, and did not fire at him. This was Thomas Estep solemn assurance to his Counsel and an Estep is a truthful man. In the Mayors Court of this City Thomas Estep was fined $50 for carrying that pistol on that occasion, and he has paid that fine.

These fines are a grievous burden to him. Your Excellency will learn from this petition that they grew out of an unforeseen Casualty with which Thomas Estep was complicated solely by an involuntary impulse and to save his brother from grievous bodily harm. He is advised that Executive clemency may relieve him of $35 of the fine

in the Circuit Court, exclusive of fees and costs. To that end he respectfully invokes your clemency, and we unite with him in this his peititon, and warmly Commend him to Executive favor as a person worthy of the clemency sought.

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