In the matter of the application of A. P. Gipson for pardon - I would most respectfully submit the following points.
II
The evidence of John Q. Hildebrandt upon which Gipson was convicted is clearly shown to be false, and unworthy of any weight or credit. See copy of affidavit - written by said Hildebrandt, - dated Aug. 6, 1878 and affidavit of Thomas Gipson dated May 12th 1882 - Also affidavit of Thomas J. Simpson dated April 29, 1882. Also affidavit of D. G. Hunt and Shelby H. Simmons dated Aug. 16, 1880. Also affidavit of James McGarvin dated August 16th, 1883.
Also statement and letters of Francis Carr in relation to said case.
Accompanying this application is a petition signed by over three hundred and sixty of the residence-citizens, "Voters" in the county where Gipson was convicted. All allaying and expressing an unqualified conviction of his entire innocence.
Thomas Gipson whose liberties were also (for a time) sworn away by the same abandoned wretch, obtained his pardon upon the same circumstance developing after their trial, the true inward, falsity of the conviction. Testimony and the facts in relation to the location of the parties at the times testified to at the trial, showing beyond a possibility of a doubt that "Hildebrandt" must have testified falsely as he has since repeatedly sworn and stated he did. And also that the corroborating witness "The Prostitute" to clearly shown to have committed perjury, for by the affidavits of D. G. Hunt and Shelby H. Simmons, two respectable witnesses it is clearly shown to be utterly impossible for Gipson to have met this "Prostitute" where and at what time sworn to by her at the trial. Hence the evidence upon which upon which A. P. Gipson was convicted has clearly developed into Falsehood and he is suffering a penalty of the law "not" for crime committed by him - but for crimes of a perjured villain, and abandoned "Prostitute." To continue the penalty will be a violation of the laws of justice in the face of the facts presented.
The fundamental law of our state has provided a remedy where Justice has been distorted and the dignity of the law, humiliated by the foul hand and blackened tongues of false swearers and the innocent made to suffer.
In the Board of Prison Directors a cure is created. And in the Chief Executive the power vested to disrobe the victim of the veil of prosecution and restore him to his just liberty and the enjoyment of freedom.
To this power we most respectfully appeal in behalf of A. P. Gipson. Sincerely believing from the facts as in this application stated that he is entirely innocent of this Crime charged.
Respectfully submitted.
W. W. Allen
Atty. for Petitioner
Note: "The Prostitute" refers to Mrs. Joseph Reynolds who testified that Amos Gipson met her on the road and voluntarily confessed to murdering John Schroter. "Perjured Villain" refers to John Hildebrandt that testified against Amos at the trial, retracted his testimony while in prison, and then retracted the retraction.
There are many appeals, petitions and documents in the archive files, too many to include. I selected this one because of he flowery language at the end of the appeal.
David E. Price
Plain City, OH
Price-beta@worldnet.att.net
March 8, 2003