Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 December 1901 — Frees Murderer of Artist. [ARTICLE]

Frees Murderer of Artist.

John Schmidt of St. Louis, who was serving a life sentence in the state penitentiary at Jefferson City, Mo., for killing a Chicago artist of the name of Atwater at Webster Grove, near St. Louis, in 1897, has been pardoned by Governor Dockery. He had consumption and the prison physician recommended that he be released. He was first sentenced to be hanged with Cotton Smith and another man, who were executed in St. Louis for the murder. As Schmidt was considered only a tool Governor Stephens commuted his sentence to life imprisonment.