PARDONED IN A WELL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5197, 17 November 1877, Page 1 (Supplement)

PARDONED IN A WELL.

The following singular story of how an eccentric Governor of the State of Missouri manifested his gratitude to a convicted murderer, who had befriended him in early days, appears in the St. Louis Times ;— Probably the oddest genius who ever occupied a public position in Missouri was the late Robert M. Stewart. He was gifted with rare powers of oratory, and exerted a strong influence wherever his talent was known. In debate ho was invincible, while as a political manager he was very influential. He lived in St. (Joseph, where he rose in political power, and where, indeed, he may be said to have fallen. The first President of the Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad, he was called its father ; not unjustly, either, for he kept his whole energy to secure its success, risking his fortune and devoting his time to the great work. He was elected Governor in 1857, succeeding Trusten Polk, who was elected in 1856, and was sent to the United States Senate. In the campaign for the Governorship Stewart displayed most conspicuously his powers as a debater on the hustings. But it is not a politician or public man that “ Bob Stewart,” as he was familiarly known, is : to be considered in this sketch, which is printed to pourtray one characteristic of the man which will give a better idea of his private character than any anecdote that has ever been related of him. Rude in speech, uncouth in deportment, and in many respects unprepossessing, he had yet a kindly heart, whose impulses responded to the noblest demands of natural affection. When Doniphan’s expedition was organised to go through New Mexico and co-operate with the main United States army in its march upon the halls of the Montezumas, in 1847, Bob Stewart was a member of a company raised in Buchanan County, and was elected to some subordinate office. When four days out on the plains march he met with an accident. While in camp, in taking a gun from a waggon, the weapon was discharged, the contents entering one of Stewart’s legs, shattering a bone, and rendering him totally unfit to go on with the expedition. One of the company, named William Grover, was detained to remain with the wounded volunteer, and attend him safely back to his home. Mr. Grover watched over his friend with the care of a brother. The wound was a very serious one, and, without medical aid, the utmost watchfulness was necessary to get the patient through. ■ This was done, and Grover endeared himself to Stewart most effectively. Bob never forgot it. He used to say, “Bill, never mind, old fellow. I’ll pay you back some day. The time will come.” The future Governor of Missouri little dreamed of the fatal circumstances that would bring around his chance to serve his friend. But the chance came at last. All Missourians whose memories run back 20 years will remember the excitement incident to the settlement of Kansas. During those stirring times a man accused of being an abolitionist was whipped to death on Prospect Hill, a high promontory overlooking the Missouri River on one side and the City of St. Joseph on the other. Three men were engaged in the disgraceful work, and although it was clear they had no intention of killing their victim, death resulted, and they were charged with murder. Two of them escaped. Bill Grover, the friend of Stewart, was arrested as a participant in the crime, tried, convicted, and sentenced to the penitentiary for ten years. Not long after his conviction Stewart was nominated for Governor. He saw his friend just before he was incarcerated, ami said, “ Bill, the first thing I do after I am inaugurated will be to pardon you out, and I’m sure to be elected." Well the canvass was a pretty warm one, but the Democratic majority was so large that a loss popular man than Bob Stewart would have had no difficulty in securing election. Bob was elected and inaugurated. True to his word and the native instincts of gratitude he went to the penitentiary, and inquired for Bill Grover. He was not there—could not be found. His name was on the rolls, but search in the prison failed to discover him. The thought rushed to the mind of the new Governor that his friend was dead, and his whole frame shook with anxiety and dread. The idea that he had come too late seemed to overpower him. He ordered an immediate and thorough search to be made. This resulted in the finding of one of the subordinate officials, who gave the information that William Grover was one of a detail called out to dig a well in Jefferson City, and that he was then engaged in that work—naming the place. Joy immediately manifested itself in the face of the Governor. He did not in a grandiloquent way order the man to be brought before him. He resolved to be - himself the first to break the glad tidings to his friend that he was free. So off he posted to the well where Grover was at work. On reaching the place he leaned over the well and cried out, “ BUI, are you there ? ” “ Who's that ? ’’ asked a voice from the subterranean depths below. “It’s me—Bob Stewart! Come up out of there, you ! I’ve pardoned you.’ He had recognised the voice made familiar to him while ho was racked with pain. In a few minutes Grover was hauled up out of the well. Then was exhibited the curious spectacle «f the Governor o£ a great State walking through

the streets of the capital arm-in-arm with a stripe-suited convict, and perhaps Bob Stewart was the only Governor that ever lived who would have done it. But with him affection and gratitude were traits too strong to be overcome by the conventionalities of society or official position. He took his old friend up to a clothing store, rigged him out in a new suit, and made him a guest at the Governor’s mansion, afterwards providing for him a start in business. Such was Bob Stewart. He was fond of strong periods and strong potations. His invective when assailing an opposing partisan was fearfully strong, and, accompanied by a manner of delivery at once as indescribable as it was inimitable, he shook an audience like a young earthquake. He had his faults, had the eceeutric Governor, but he had likewise his virtues.