Correspondence

W. E. Arthur to T. F. Marshall

1861-03-21

Date of Creation
March 21, 1861
Place of Creation
Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky
Document Genre
Correspondence
Repository
Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
Collection
Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862
Box / Folder
MG19-157 to MG19-158
CWGK Accession Number
KYR-0001-020-0743
Rights
This image and its transcription are freely available to the public. Images appear courtesy of Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Transcriptions and annotations were created by Kentucky Historical Society staff, volunteers, and interns. When referencing this document, please use our preferred citation.; The use of transcriptions, images, or annotations from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce any material on CWGK is required.
FTP Identifier
32209151

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Dates
1861-03-21
--02
1856
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Citation

W. E. Arthur to T. F. Marshall, 1861-03-21, Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Petitions for Pardons and Remissions, 1859-1862, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, https://discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-020-0743 (November 14, 2026).

[Page 1]

Covington Ky March 21st 1861
T. F. Marshall Esq
My Dear Friend

Enclosed I send you certified copy of the the Indictment in the case of Com'th vs Cokendoffer in the Bracken Circuit Court with the view of moving the Governor through for the grant a pardon. You recollect that I conferred with you and with other prominent gentlement of the Bracken Bar in the Month of February last and the opinion was concurred in this the case was one for Executive Clemency.

Cokedoffer was Indicted for Horse Stealing in 1856. One Mrs Fields was the owner of the Horse. Some years ago she removed from this Com'th west. I believe [...] Illinois or Missouri. There could be no convictions without her evidence and she is beyond the reach of process.

Cokendoffer is a young man- the above is believed to be his first & only crime. he has been absent from Kentucky for years during it the Indictment. His parents are very old and I am told very exemplelaryemplary. They have been beseeching me

[Page 2]

for many months to ask the Executive to pardon him. They beg to have their only son with them for the short remnant of their lives.

The Indictment was filed only a year or two ago in my motion. but at accued is liable to be arrested if he returns to the com'th and is he is therefore banished forever from the site of his aged & declining parents. I have yielded to the earnest appeals of the good people and I think the Governor might to pity them and to bid the prodigal to come home to his Fathers house.

Be so good as to wait upon the Governor at your earliest conveinience and persuade him of the fact that in mercy of the Executive could be bestowed upon no fitter objects than those good old people and their erring but repentant son

If the Governor shall pardon him please enclose the pardon to me and I will see it propertly fileda delivered to the old people.

My best wishes for your health and distinction. I suppose you will Soon adjourn. I will be extremely glad to see you at my house on your my way home. Let me hear from you

Sincerly your Friend
W. E. Arthur

[Page 3]
[Page 4]

Rejected
B M
Bracken Cir Ct
Jno. Cockendoffer