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About Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 19, 1953)
Put s section ii THE CAPITAL JOURNAL. Salem. Orrm Thuraday, November It. IM Clarence Johnson Free Man, and He's Made Good f- TAVL W. BABVET, JR. . 4fMcuui ems CmtwmIhd Clarence Johnson, who wu ent of the meanest prisoners In the Orefon stste prison's long history, is out ot debt to so ciety. This man, who tried to kill ne woman and who then bru tally murdered another, is the Subject ot a fascinating story bout how the worst type of Criminal can make good. Now a completely free man tor the first time since 1916, he ewes his freedom to ex-Gov. Charles A. Sprague. And John' ton never caused Sprague to regret it. Now IS years old, Johnson is working in a Portland bus! nessmen's club, and is a free citizen 14 years alter murder ing the little white-haired lady who had befriended him. - Gov. Paul L. Patterson has given him a full commutation of sentence, meaning he's paid bis debt in full. ! I've known Johnson for 16 years. I saw how he became responsible citizen, and how he did it with his own resourc es. He wasnf reformed. He re formed himself. Let's go back to the begin ning of his story. Working in a Ssn Francisco florist's shop, Johnson hsd a common-law wife. ; On Dec. 23, 1916, he found her with another man, so he shot her in the neck. Off to San Quentin he went to serve' five yesrs for assault with In tent to kilL The little white-haired Port land lady, who was active in the prisoners welfare associa tion, was Mrs. Eunice Free man, 97. Mrs. Freeman got Johnson a parole, and he came to Portland to live In her home. Johqsoa soon started run ning around with woman of shady character, or ot virtually no character at all. Mrs. Freeman objected. Johnson, fearing Mrs. Freemen would have him returned to San Quentin as parole vio lator, bludgeoned Mrs. Free man with a piece of gas pipe on Aug. 19, 1919. The result was a life sentence for murder. During his first two years in prison, Johnson spent most of his time In the bull pen for repealed violation ot prison rules. He threatened to kill the warden. The prison record says John son "was one of the toughest men ever received here." Suddenly, in 1921, Johnson changed. He decided to be a good boy. He never misbehaved after that. There was a riot In 1929. Johnson, by then a trusty car ing for the prison lawn, seized the prison arsenal, thus deny ing guns to the rioters. Prison officials said that it it hadn't been for Johnson's brave act, the riot would have turned into a blood bath with many killed. As a trusty,, Johnson, at var ious times, rsn the bakery, op erated the prison store, ran the greenhouse, and was gen eral assistant around the ad ministration building. On July 1, 1940, despite the doubts of many skeptics, ex Gov. Sprague released him with a conditional pardon. Johnson would have to report to the parole board regularly. He bad to go back to San Quen tin for three months to clear up the old sentence. Then he went to work at Portland steel company, which was beginning to build navy ships. Soon he was foreman of large department. He came to see Sprague and me often, proudly showing us two books his savings account book, and the book listing his war bond purchases. By the end ot the war, he had seversl thoussnd dollars. Since the war, he hss worked mostly for clubs. Two years ago, Johnson told me It was his big wish to get a full pardon or commutation, so he could die a free man. He said he'd like it for Christmas. I wrote a column about blm then, but It was too late for the governor to act In time for that Christmas. But this Christmas, he'll be a free man. When his application for a full commutation of sentence went to Gov. Patterson, It was supported by Sprague and the parole board. Home Rebekah Lodge Election Wood burn Mrs. E. C. Peyton waselected noble grand of Home Rebekah lodge at the annual election of officers held Tuesday night at the regular meeting. Mrs. Frank Wagen veld was elected vice grand and officers re-elected were Mrs. Addle Doud. secretary for the 11th year; Mrs. Myrtle Hall, treasurer; and Mrs. Joyce Engle, financial secretary. In stallation will be held the first meeting In January. Visitors were present from Monitor, Hubbard, Prineville and Butteville. During the program hour films were shown by Charles Cornwell and there were talks by a number of visitors. Reports on the recent visit to Sllverton were given by Mrs. Wagenveld, Mrs. Peyton and Mrs. Leota Porter, and on the square dance at Monitor by Mrs. Arthur Burt. Plans were discussed for a Christmas pro gram. One application for' membership was received. Pot-luck refreshments were served after the meeting with Mrs. Elizabeth Rail, Mrs. Alice Sprague, writing that John son "hss proven himself fully," said: "I have noted with great sat isfaction his successful adjust ment in society. He has held steady Jobs, has saved his money and bas kept out of trouble." Johnson worships Sprague, proud that he never let Sprague down. And Sprsgue is proud of Johnson, too, for proving the skeptics were wrong. Symmonds, Mrs. Frank Cevey and Mrs. Jay Weber la charge. The next meeting will be December 1 when refresh' ments will be served by Miss Laura Bonney, Mrs. Maude Scott and Mrs. Carol Gay. WSCS Meeting At Woodburn Woodburn '.drt. Leota Porter was hostess for the reg ular meeting of the Women's Society of Christian Service ot the Methodist church at' her home Tuesday with Mrs. Fred Miller and Mrs. Frank Covey assisting. The all-day meeting opened at 10:10 a.m. with Mrs. Clif ford Applegate presiding. Plans were made to serve ham burgers and coffee at the auc tion sale which the men of the church are holding at the Woodburn armory tonight (Thursday). Mrs. Jsmes Live say and Mrs. Philip LaBarr will be In charge. A sack lunch was served at noon with dessert and coffee furnished by the hostesses. The afternoon program was in charge of Mrs. Lowell Moore and Mrs. Mabel Hatch on Thanksgiving and a wor ship center was built with the assistance of several members. The next meeting, Dec. 19, will be at the home ot Mrs. Harold Livesay and members are asked to bring two or three dozen cookies for a cookie exchange. Wster pressure of about 69 pounds to the square inch Is near the limit of human endurance. Decorations for Woodburn Sis. Woodburn A work meet ing was held Tuesday night by the Woodburn JaveeM at the North Marlon Co. fruit ware house and strings of cedar boujrhe were made far the Christmas street decorations. There was a large attendance oi members and the work was quickly accomplished. A business aneatin at ttta warehouse followed with L. H. Mldebrandt presiding. Nomin ations were opened for new Officers to be elected at the next meeting, Dec. 1. Members were urged to at tend the district meeting to be held at Sorinefield. Ore.. Nov. 29. Lynn Simon asked that tnv to be remlred bv the hnvi at the MacLaren school for needy children on Christmas, should be in by the last of this week in order to eive tim in th repair work. Collections depots are at tne two Woodburn banks and the fire haU. .. After the meeting, refresh ments were served by Vernon Eaden. Call Sounded -!For Stewards economics instructors of the i senior high school, will be iea t..A at tha Guidance associa tion of Central Willamette! area, meeting at the senior high H.WIM I.MW H1ID IL'IWVI principal, will be in charge of The Oregon SUto Penlton. . . i u.. immediate vacancies ins Business nour wn.u uw j ------- . executive will be elected to for stewards. Starting pay lor i i... .l- ill k. ! tha ranee af fill the vacancy occasioncu oy we joos win u - - -- tha daath of a member of the Sllverton faculty, Robert E. Miller, who was association president General 'guiasnce proo- 9290-1284 a month, depending upon an applicant's experience. Qualifications for the work Include three yesrs ot experi ence in a large scale msuiuuon- oencrai uiuiw yiw-1 chlv m lema will be discussed. It Is al cooking operation involving planned to have around 40 ! supervisory activities. Military members of the association j experience In the cooking field . i I J M.nl.hl. present. Two Sons Become Bishops in Month Houston. Tex. W) Within a. Guidance Group To Meet Thursday SIlviartAn ' A m aV.leu.L- dinner this evening (Thurs day), furnished by the home iaM ha ai-rentable. There are frequeni vacancies ,w. Mnitantiarv for correc tional officers. Applicants for this work must oe Deiwrrn n mnA 44 VMPI of SIC Of gOOd physical heslth, and possess at least einht yesrs of schooling. Houston. Tex. VP) Within . Th. .,,, Mv is $250 a month's time Mrs. C. G. Mar-, montn ,n(j applicants must take imion has seen her long hopes clvi, KTV examination, -realized- her two sons are to i.iuiinn in tha - . A ailUlllcri ui.t,UM- "- become bunopi. I Salem srea, there is a vacancy At Roanftke Va ytdy for , dormitory supervisor. An the RWlUm".M"; applicant for this position must mion. rector of St. Andrews I have graduated Episcopal church i"wl'm'n- from college with a degree in ton Del was named bishop ato. ,nd h.Ve two e ect of the Episcopal diocese .xperien in institu- La rt month Mrs. M.rmion's I "o"1 r ho"' h!!!! other son, the Rev. Chsrles fient An J"'valent combine. Greshman Msrmlon. Jr., rector tion of exP"' of the Church of the Incarna- may 1 Q" YPP'Lc,n'; tion in Dallas, was named bish- The starting pay is 1272 a on elaet of Kentucky. ' month. An Andean collided with i 000 feet. Condor once I Four miles down in the plane at 20,-1 ocean the pressure is 4 "4 tons i to the square inch. I llt a I! ll'iLl!!'.' j"Ll" LafMS "Mis'lil liiTas"' U"r"l' I I 155 N. Liberty Phone 3-3191 DECORATIVE SHAKER SET $1 Most unusual, push down on cap to release salt or pepper. Alwnys free flowing, can not spill. Colorful plastic. Gift boxed. 0W Va. Serving Boskets from Por tugal, 9-ln Ea. 75e Child's Fork & Spoon Set Sllverplated. Gift box 98c m Italian Pottery Jam Jar lovely butterfly trim. .$1 Hondpainted Pottery Dish from Japan. 12" long.$l CLOISONNE CAKE SERVER $1 SHOP AT WARDS FOR GIFTS Priced from to And Up These are just a few of the hundreds of gifts you'll find now at Wards all much more expensive looking than you'd expect at Wards extra-low prices. Hurry choose several now while as sortment is complete and save at Wards low special-purchase prices. WARDS HOUSEWEARS DEPARTMENT Colorful Spanish Tilt In Metal Trivet, 6-ir $1 Imported hond pointed Pottery Planters, eo. . . $1 China Bud Vases. Em txwsed design eo SI Miniature Toby Jug Salt & Pepper Set in China 79c Iron Trivet. Several au thentic colon'l designs SI Pottery Bird Planter 6Vt" high. Gay colors SI Pine Tret Condlts, 6V Red or green . ea 50c Give this attractive table accessory. Lus trous stainless steel MyAwith floral decoration in permanent postels. Wood Pepper Mill, Solt Shaker. Hand-painted $1 Metal Tray, 13Vi-in. Al-cohol-resrstont finish 69e Spoon Dishes. Assorted designs gold trim, ea. 7,9c 7-pc Green Gloss Juice Set. Gift-hoxed S5c Blk. Metal Candle Warm er with 8-hr. candle $1 Polished Cherrywood Rel ish Dishes. 7'2x6" ea. $1 WARDS WILL BE OPEN MONDAY Cr FRIDAY TILL 9 P.M. I! AT IBOOTdDlTS Here's your opportunity to get the FINEST IN SHOES at a won derful saving All from our regular stock of Fall Shoes Selec tions are limited so Come Early. 350 Pair , Mm STARTS TOMORROW AND FKEIMN This is a complete Close-Out of these numbers. BISHOP'S has never before offered shoes of this value rugged Scotch grain fine Calfskin Tough Cordovan. Values From 14.95 lo 22.95 IFF ,11 Regular Price I sSVi.? ,.fjyJ AS90 Open Friday Till 9 P. M. Easy Credit Terms V