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repealed violation ot prison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