Jim’s tragic death brought the Youngers again into the public eye, and
aside from any effort on my part, there was a renewed discussion of the
advisability of extending a full pardon to me, the lone survivor of the
band who had invaded Northfield.
At the next quarterly meeting of the board, which was held in January of
this year, the matter was taken up, and the board considered my
application, which was for an absolute or a conditional pardon as the
board might see fit.
It was urged on my behalf that the limitation clause confining me to
Minnesota was one that it might be well to do away with, as it prevented
me from joining my friends and relatives in Missouri, and kept me in a
state, where a great many people did not really care for my society,
although so many were very kind and cordial to me.
Against this it was urged that while I was in the state, the board could
exercise a supervision of my employment and movements which it might be
judicious to continue.
After carefully considering the various arguments for and against my
absolute pardon, the board decided against it, but at a special meeting
held February 4, 1903, voted unanimously for a conditional pardon as
follows:
“Having carefully considered this matter, with a keen appreciation of our
duty to the public and to the petitioner, we have reached the conclusion
that his conduct for twenty-five years in prison, and his subsequent
conduct as a paroled prisoner, justify the belief that if his request to
be permitted to return to his friends and kindred be granted, he will live
and remain at liberty without any violation of the law.”
“We are, however, of the opinion that his absolute pardon would not be
compatible with the welfare of this state—the scene of his crime—for the
reason that his presence therein, if freed from the conditions of his
parole, would create a morbid and demoralizing interest in him and his
crime.”
“Therefore it is ordered that a pardon be granted to Thomas Coleman
Younger, upon the condition precedent and subsequent that he return
without unnecessary delay to his friends and kindred whence he came, and
that he never voluntarily come back to Minnesota.”
“And upon the further condition that he file with the governor of the
State of Minnesota his written promise that he will never exhibit himself
or allow himself to be exhibited, as an actor or participant in any public
performance, museum, circus, theater, opera house or any other place of
public amusement or assembly where a charge is made for admission;
Provided, that this shall not exclude him from attending any such public
performance or place of amusement.”
“If he violates any of the conditions of this pardon, it shall be
absolutely void.”
S. R. Van Sant, Governor.
Chas. M. Start, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Wallace B. Douglas, Attorney-General.
A few days later I filed with Governor Van Sant the following: “I, Thomas
Coleman Younger, pursuant to one of the conditions upon which a pardon has
been granted to me, do hereby promise upon my honor that I will never
exhibit myself, nor allow myself to be exhibited, as an actor or
participant in any public performance, museum, circus, theater, opera
house, or any place of public amusement or assembly where a charge is made
for admission.”