Bowling Green Ky
June 22 1863
^To^
Gov Jas F Robinson:

The undersigned Citisens of Warren County Ky — state that at the last Feby term of the Warren Equity & Criminal Court- Judgment was rendered agst them as sureties on a bond of Jno Stephens — which was forfeited at the Augst term 1862, because of the nonappearance of said Stephens to answer a Charge of Murder- for killing a soldier in Bowling Green — belonging to the 9" Tenn — Reg — Vol^s

The judgment was for $500 —

The undersigned represent most respectfully that they became sureties — out of mere sympathy for said Stephens to keep him out of jail — inasmuch as they did not believe him guilty of that charge. — and if said Stephens had not gotten into another difficulty since in Russellville Ky which frightened him from the County, they believe, he would have appeard and stood his trial — They had no desire to prevent an impartial trial — and it was not their fault that he escaped from the hands of justice —

They ask most respectfully to be relieved so far as it can be done by law —

H. L. Arnold
H. P. Allen

I defended Mr. Stephens before the Court of inquiry & am satisfied from the proof that he acted in self defence, & the Court, in my opinion ^at this time^ only required bail to quiet the excited soldiers who were present at the trial, I therefore unite in the prayer of the petitioners

W^m V. Loving

We, the undersigned, unite in the foregoing prayer of the petitioners, Arnold & Allen-

W H Payne

I was the County Attorney who attended to the prosecution of John Stephens in the Examining Court. I am satisfied from the Testimony that he would have been acquitted on the final trial if he had stood his trial.

J, E, Holsell

I was one of the examining court who tried Stephens & held him to bail upon very slight evidence, which without others corroborative evidence upon the final trial I think would not convict him of any high offense

W H Payne

I was one of the examing Court who tried Stephens and held him to bail on the sum of five hundred dollars What I done in the primises I done from a sense of duty I have no doubt Stephens would have appeared before the Court had he not got in a seccond difficulty of a more serious nature I would therefore most respectfully ask your honor the Govenor of Kentucky to remit the fine or Judgement against H,, L. Arnold & H. P. Allen his securities if consistent with your feelings

P. Hines

Govr. Robinson is very respectfully requested to reply to the foregoing petition at his earliest convenience & oblige

Your obt. Svt
Arnold & Allen
June 23rd. 1863

Warren Eq. Ct
Arnold & Allen Pettn
to remit fines in Warren County —

$500 }Recog.

Remitted except One hundred dollars & costs
J F Robinson

Iss June 26 1863