Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 March 1910 — BADER WAS PAROLED BY GOVERNOR MARSHALL. [ARTICLE]

BADER WAS PAROLED BY GOVERNOR MARSHALL.

Pending a Review of Case by Supreme Court, Man Convicted of Bridge * Fraud Will be Free. Governor Thos. R. Marshall has extended clemency to Clinton L. Bader, general manager of the Winamac Bridge Co., and last Saturday sent to Sheriff Louis P. Shirer, of this county, authority to release Bader, just as the sheriff was getting ready to conduct his charge to the penitentiary. As before stated, Sheriff Shirer took Bader to Winamac Thursday morning, in order that he might arrange his business affairs. He set diligently about this and had expected to have everything arranged by Saturday afternoon. Shortly before he had ekpected to be taken away, the word came from povernor Marshall paroling him until the case which was tried here, could be reviewed by the supreme court. Mr. Bader and his family and the people of Winamac in general were delighted with the respite. There was general rejoicing in Winamac where Bader’s friends cling to the belief that he was not intentionally guilty, notwithstanding the disclosures made by Judge Hanley’s investigating committee of his other bridges. Sunday afternoon Sheriff Shirer, Mr. Bader and his twin daughters, came to Rensselaer. Mr. Shirer was returning home and Mr. Bader came to confer with Attorney Williams, who had been diligent in securing the release of his client. It is said that Bader’s release was brought about by appeal made to the governor by influential friends of Bader and acquaintances of the governor at Winamac and Wabash. The release is, of course, only temporary, but now that it has been secured, it is probable that no special effort will be .made to get the case reviewed and it is probable that it will mean Bader’s permanent freedom. Mr. Bader was seen by the Republi-

can man at the home of his attorney Sunday afternoon. He is still laboring under the strain of his trial and conviction and says that no one knows the extent of his suffering. He was greatly pleased at his release and says he will continue actively in the bridge business, and will continue to fight for contracts in Jasper county just the same as he always has and that he will not let the persecution of a rival company force him from the field. Whether or not Bader is pardoned permanently, the effect of his persecution will be wholesome in many ways. It will mean that every form of public contract will hereafter be looked over with a great amount of care. It will mean that when a bridge is reported completed the county commissioners or some qualified person working under their direction will investigate the structure thoroughly before it is accepted and paid for and it will mean that the county will in the future get what it orders. It will mean greater activity in the public’s interest by all officials and will awake other counties to an investigation of conditions existing at home.