Gilbert Henry Stephenson. Application No. 5151. Letter from Ira L. Ricketts to Board of Pardons, February 21, 1921.
Images
Image text
Duluth, Minnesota
February 21, 1921.
To The Board of Pardons of the State of Minnesota,
Gentlemen:
I beg leave to state that I have known Gilbert H. Stephenson
for more than eight years, that he is an honest and upright fellow, and of high
moral character. During these eight years I have been a member of the Duluth
police force, and do not know of him ever being arrested for even the slightest
offense.
I also wish to state that I was on duty the night of the riot, the
fifteenth of last June, and that had said Stephenson taken the part in said riot
he was charged with I would not have failed to have recognized him. I was listed
as one of the defenses’ witnesses, but thru an error on the part of
Stephensons counsel I was not called. None of the states witnesses claimed to
have known Stephenson previous to the riot. I therefor (sic) feel that an unjust
verdict was brought in as do be far the majority of the people of this city.
Knowing this, I pray that you investigate, and finding this statement to be
correct, grant him an unconditional pardon.
Respectfully yours,
Srgt. Ira L. Ricketts
209 W. Faribault St.
Duluth
Minn.