The Sunday Gazetteer (of Denison, Tex.) - Sunday, May 17, 1885 edition; front page


The Avenging Nemesis of Fate
   Twenty-four years enduring the gnawing of a guilty conscience it seems is not 
sufficient to appease the wrath of the avenging nemesis of Fate. Twenty-four years 
ago during the stormy period of the out break of the great internecine war, when 
neighbor smote his neighbor and brother strove against brother, in the then small 
town of Waco, Texas, one Charlas Warren, then forty years of age, during the 
excitement of a political discussion and while under the influence of liquor, 
did then and there stab unto death one John Burton. Warren was captured, tried, 
found guilty and sentenced to be hung. A motion for a new trial being overruled, 
an appeal was taken. Pending the consideration of that appeal Warren was removed, 
for safe keeping, to the county jail of Freestone county, at Fairfield. That was 
in December, 1861.
  Warren had a young daughter, one who loved her father though steeped in sin, 
as only daughters can. Her name was Rebecca—though name signifies nothing. But 
that Rebecca loved her father, her actions proved. Shortly after his removal to 
the Fairfield jail, she went to Fairfield. Pleading poverty and "friendliness; 
without disclosing her name or relationship, she secured employment in the jailor’s 
family as a domestic. Watching for a favorable opportunity, she slipped the jail 
keys from the jailor’s pockets and released her father. Warner was a devoted 
lover of the southern cause, and as soon as he was at liberty, joined a Texas 
regiment and struggled four long years in its behalf. After the bloody struggle, 
was over he returned to western Texas, and went to farming. 
  Last week Van Hall, head of Hall's detective agency, having previously learned 
of Warren's whereabouts and having influenced acting Governor Gibbs to offer a 
reward of $200 for his delivery in the county jail of McLennan county, arrested 
him and returned him to Waco. Now the old man, 64 years of age, will have to pay 
the penalty of the law, unless there is executive clemency.
  If Gov. Ireland does not use his pardoning power to its fullest extent, he 
should be retired in dishonor. It was purely blood money that disturbed the 
placidity of hte old man's dying days, and for that reason if for no other he 
should be allowed to pass the remainder of his time in peace and quiet. There is 
such a thing as overdoing a case of justice and this is one which can easily be 
done. Give the old man his freedom.