His Excellency
Gov Tho^s E Bramlett

Your petitioner Joanna Bell woman of color states that — in the [...] day of the last May term of the Jefferson circuit court she was arraigned on a charge of Larceny, tried convicted & sentenced to a term of two years in the Ky state prison — The case is as follows —

Crow, a discharged negro soldier desired the girl Bell to go with him to Lexington & promised her all his money if she would do so — In accordance with this proposition the girl assumed control, or rather obtained possession of the money — Crow went immediately went to the Police and had her arrested — After being arrested she gave up the money, which Crow has received — The case is one of a great deal of merit ^of^ which she should receive the full benefit & not suffer on the evidence of a single negro, uncorroberated save by the officer making the arrest & who could only testify as to information given by Crow & not to facts of the taking — In addition to this — said Joanna Bell is now pregnant, a period of some three or four months of gestation having passed — which makes her a burden to the State for nearly the whole time of her sentence — The clemency & mercy of your Excellency is humbly asked in the above case — In accordance with the law Joanna Bell is now confined to the Frankfort Penetentiary-

Joanna Bell
pr Duncan for Petitioner

We the Undersigned think the foregoing Petition one in which your Excellencys pardon is fully merited —

J D Duncan
F G Dannecker
Selby Harney
J D Harrington
R. H. Cochrell
James R W Smith

Jefferson Cir Ct
vs
Joanna Bell
Penitentiary