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Bowling Green Ky
Hon B. Magoffin,
Gov. of Ky.
My dear Sir- The friends of Rufus Jones, now confined in the penitentiary at Frankfort for the killing of Henry Jenkins, believe his is a case in which it would be just & proper to interpose Executive clemency. It would be very gratifying to me & his numerous friends & family relatives if you can so view it. I am not familiar with the facts as proved in his trial, but from what I can learn it was one of those unpremeditated & impulsive acts, under the influence of exciting liquors & a boisterous crowd which the best men might sometimes commit. He certainly had no malice toward young Jenkins with whom he had, from childhood, been upon term of the most friendly & almost brotherly relations. His youth, his feeble constitution & his before that unstained reputation, together with the facts of the case & his very numerous & highly respectable connexions I hope will induce your Excellency to pardon him --
Very Respectfully
Yr Obt Svt
B. N. Covington