Gilbert Henry Stephenson. Application No. 5151. Letter from W. G. Smith to Board of Pardons, March 23, 1921.
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New Duluth, Minn., March 23rd. 1921.
To The Pardon Board,
St. Paul, Minnesota.
Gentlemen:-
Never satisfied that Gilbert H.
Stephenson really took part in the mob violence of June 15th., 1920,
when some negroes, held for an unspeakable crime, were taken from the Duluth
Police Station and hanged by the mob, I now feel certain that a serious mistake
was made as to the conviction of Mr. Stephenson.
Police Seargeant (sic)
Ricketts, who was on duty at the police station when the police were overpowered
by the mob, comes forward with the assurance that Mr. Stephenson could not have
taken part in the mob violence, as he knows Mr. Stephenson well, and is certain
he would have seen Stephenson there if he had taken any part in the unfortunate
occurrence.
Many good citizens who know Mr. Stephenson well, speak highly of
his character and industry, and I feel sure that anything you can do to correct
the wrong apparently done Mr. Stephenson, as to his conviction of rioting, will
meet with public approval as well as gratitude of his many friends and
relatives.
Yours very truly,
W. G. Smith