People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 June 1893 — THEY’VE HAD ENOUGH. [ARTICLE]

THEY’VE HAD ENOUGH.

Messes. Fielden, Schwab and Neebs Promise to Refrain from Anarchistic Agitation in the Future—How They Received the News of Their Pardon. Chicago, June 27.—Three men who for nearly six years have been known as Nos. 8,376, 8,526 and 8,527 emerged from the stone portal of the penitentiary at Joliet at 7 o’clock Monday evening and once more breathed the air of freedom. They were Oscar Neebe, Samuel Fielden and Michael Schwab, the anarchists who had been convicted of complicity in the Haymarket riot May 4, 1886, when seven policemen were killed by the explosion of a dynamite bomb. They owed their liberty to Gov. Altgeld’s pardon. E. S. Dreyer, the real-estate man and banker, who has interested himself in behalf of the men, arrived at the prison from Springfield at 3:15 o’clock in the afternoon with the pardons in his pocket, and also a copy of the governor’s statement of hiß reasons for granting them. Mr. Dreyer was shown into the office of Warden Allen and presented his documents. The warden examined them, found them correct, and at once sent for the three convicts, who were convicts no longer.

Neebe, Schwab and Fieiden entered the warden’s office dressed in their prison stripes. They were stood up in line and in the presence of Warden Allen, Chaplain Both, Clerk Miller apd Storekeeper Allen Mr. Dreyer informed them that Gov. Altgeld had signed a pardon for each of them on certain conditions. Tears stood in the eyes of the men to whom this unexpected news of freedom came. Their emotion was apparent, though they made strong efforts to conceal it. Mr. Dreyer made a short speech, in which he said executive clemency was extended to them on condition that they promised to be hereafter honest, upright citizens, to go to work and earn a living, and forevermore to refrain from associating with men who preached the doctrines which had brought them within the prison walls, and to refrain themselves from again propagating anarchistic theories. He told them how they had been despised by the whole civilized world, and hoped that in view of the mercy that was shown them they would nevergive Gov. Altgeld nor himself cause to regret the action which set them free.

All three of the men unhesitatingly made the promise required of them. The warden then presented each with his pardon, which was the usual form in such cases, with the governor’s signature attached. Gov. Atgeld’s review of the case was not read, on account of its length. Samuel Fieiden, replying for himself and comrades, assured Mr. Dreyer that neither he nor Gov. Altgeld would be given cause to repent their course m the matter. The liberated men then shook hands with Mr. Dreyer and were conducted back into the prison, where they took off their striped clothing and donned civilian suits. _ Then they were taken to the official dining-room where a dinner of roast beef, ham and eggs,, strawberries and iced tea was served, Chaplain Both, Clerk Miller, Mr. Dreyer, Mr. Allen, the warden's son, and the late prisoners being the guests. When the meal was finished it was nearly time for the train to arrive which was to bear the three liberated anarchists back to Chicago. As they came out into the balmy air of a perfect June evening one who had known them in former days would; scarcely have recognized any one oi them. Prison life had left its mark on each. Mr. Dreyer walked down to the station with the ex-prisoners, and in a few minutes a Santa. Fe train came along and all boarded the smoking car. The men say they intend to keep the promise made to the governor to abstain from anarchistic agitation. Neither of them have formulated plana for the future. The party left, the train ht Twentythird street and boarding street cars; went to their respective homes. Fieiden to his wife and two children at 117 West Polk street, Schwab to his family, a wife and two children, at 167 Washtenaw avenue, and Neebe to his broiher’s residence on. Sheffield avenue. Numerous friends called ou them during the evening to offer their congratulations.