William Pearson’s crime had been small, but the shadow of it followed him for thirty years.
In 1876, when he was just 18 years old, Pearson was convicted in Alabama of stealing a pig valued at two dollars. He was sentenced to two years in the penitentiary, served only two months, and then escaped after knocking down a guard.
After that, he vanished.
By the time Alabama heard of him again, Pearson was no longer a runaway convict hiding from the law. He was a wealthy and respected citizen of Palestine, Texas, a man of prominence with a family that stood high in society. Yet one thing from his past still remained unresolved, and it was enough to keep him from accepting political office.
Thirty years after his escape, the old case finally reached the governor’s desk.
Pardon After Thirty Years
MONTGOMERY, Alabama. — William Pearson, who escaped from the Alabama penitentiary 30 years ago, while serving sentence for stealing a pig, and fled to Texas, settling at Palestine, where he has become a man of prominence and influence, has been pardoned by Governor Comer.
The petition for his pardon was made by Gov. Campbell and Congressman Gregg of Texas, who say that Pearson is a leading and wealthy citizen of Palestine and that he and his wife and children stand high socially.
The petition states Pearson has frequently refused political office because he knew he could not legally hold it.
Gov. Comer had the case looked up and found Pearson had been convicted in 1876 in Clay County, when he was 18 years old, of stealing a pig valued at two dollars and sentenced to two years in the penitentiary.
After serving two month, Pearson escaped by knocking down a guard, and nothing was heard of him till the petition came from the Texas governor.
Source: The Chickasha Daily Express. Chickasha, Indian Territory, Okla. September 25, 1907.
