Reproduced with permission of
John Marion Belt by William J. Belt
copyright 1980 by Johm M. Belt
Who Killed Logan Belt
by
John Belt
CHAPTER V
A STRANGE TURNABOUT
As was mentioned in some of the letters in the preceeding chapter, there were a few protest letters written to the Governor. Most of these were written early in Logan's confinement - 1881, 82, 83. By 1884, the excitement of the trial had died down, and most of the protesters had changed their minds. They, too, joined in recommending clemency, making it almost unanimous for Logan's pardon. Why did they turn about face? The reason is uncertain. It could have been by the persuasive powers of H. J. Belt and Earl Sherwood, as is suggested in the letter on page 89. Perhaps with the excitement of the trial gone, they could look at the case more objectively. Or they might have been thinking that if he was released, they would be able to get him killed. (He was assassinated about a year and a half after his return.) Whatever the reason, the letters are shown here just as they were written. You will notice that some of them are full of misspellings. I suppose the reason for this is that they wanted to keep them secret, so did the writing themselves rather than let a secretary do it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Elizabethtown, Hardin Co.,
Ills.
Nov. 17th, 1881
Gov. S. M. Cullom Dear Sir
There is a strongeffort being made by the relatives of Logan Belt to get him reprieved from the penitentiary. I am an old man, have known the Belt family for 36 years (a large family). They have been a teror to the county all that time logan was the leader. it was generly expressed that the coviction of logan belt was a great relief to the county, & that his releise would be to revive all the old troubles greatly increased. they are geting names to petitions by allsorts of misrepresentations & falshoods & Nos. of little boys names. they also claim that he was convicted through predjedes. he was tried in another court & by a jury that did not know him. I write this through no ill feeling. I refer you to Col. C. M. Ferrell & Wm. S. Morris of our place 6 John Mitchel of Cavein Rock this Co. as to who I am and as to the correctness of this statement.
Your humble servant
Jas. A. Ledbetter
P.S. Please don't make this public.
J.A.L.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cavein Rock, Hardin Co.
Ills.
Nov. 20th, 1881
To the Hon. Governor of State of Illinois
Dear Sir,
You will please pardon the liberty I take in addressing you but my subject is one which I consider of vast importance to our civilized community. There will be in the early future a petition presented to you to reprieve Logan Belt who is now in the State prison as a punishment for murdering. Since his absence we have perfect peace and people go about there work and there business enjoying life, although we have plenty evil disposed persons who if they had a leader would be ready to create another rain of terror such as we had before his retirement. There was a time when he was allowed with the rest of his band to reign among us, that plenty of our citizens went armed to and from their work and their business and considered it necessary to do so, and rested at night with their weapons about them. Quite a number left the state while others staid from their families and lived in recluse for many days in fear of being hung. You will greately oblige me by keeping this communication a secret as I think my life would be in jeopardy should it ever be known. Should you wish to know anything in regard to my person or character, I would refer you to C. M. Ferril, W. S. Morris, J. Q. A. Ledbetter, J. A. Lowery all of Elizabethtown and parties with whom you are acquainted.
Verry Respectfuly yours,
Thomas Douglas
To
Hon. S. M. Cullom
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1882
To His Excellency
Shelby M. Cullum, Governor of Illinois
I as one of the citizens of Hardin Co. and State of Ill. respectfully petition your Excellency in behalf of the citizens of Hardin Co. that one Logan Belt now in the state prison, which I under stand that your Excellency is to consider the propriety of seting him free amongst the people of Hardin Co. I will state that he has been a dangers caracter & terror to the good citizens and has kept good men from there daily avocation in fear of there lives. In fact good citizens bard there house and slep with deadly weapons in reach for fear that they would bee taken out and hung, and his Brother Jonithan Belt took a niger from the Sherif this sumer and hung him. This is something of the caracter of the Belt family. He was the leader of a band kown as Kuklux. I now pray your Excellency to let the verdict of the jury to stand & will ever so pray.
Thomas Douglas
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
December 25, 1882
Mr. Shelby M. Cullum, Governor of the State of Illinois
Dear sir, I halve been informed that Logan Belt is a bout to ofbtain a pardon, therefore I halve this to state, I halve known the said Logan Belt severl years and that he kept the community in which he lived in constant turmoil and nearly every body was a fraid of him on the account of his overbearing disposition, and in the spring of '79 he orgaised a kind of Kucluct band and got me to join it by sending an old friend of mine to me who was a member of the same, but I did not know it at the time. He told me there was going to be a meeting that night of citizens and for me to come out and when I went I found it to be a meetting for the purpose of organizing a company to get rid of the Peoples witiness who were to tetify aginst him in his trial which was pending at Shawneetown. I then proposed the would let out and he refused and finding myself in danger I joined them and never met with them any more but exposed all this clan al so had sines and grips by which they knew one another.
References: W. S. Morris
Harry Boyer
J.Q.A. Ledbetter
Yours respecfuly
B. Z. Jenkins
Confidicial
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
25th day of Dec. 1882
Mr. Shely M. Cullum, Governor of the state of Ills.
Dear Sir,
I am informed that there is a probability of Login Belt being pardoned by you on the 8th day of Jan. 1883, and have been requested by several of my neighbors to use all the means in my power to prevent said pardon. The first thing I have to say is that I am forty years old and have lived twenty years of my time a neighbor to said belt and that he is a man of bad character and that the lives of several of our best citizens would be endangered if he should be sent back in our midst. I attended the trial at Shawneetown where he was convicted & think the verdict of the jury was very light. The Judge who affirmed the verdict of the Jury said that he let instructions go to them that was too favorable to the Defendant.
I never had any dificulty with said Belt, but think that he would kill me if he should ever find out that I wrote this letter and therefore pray that you keep this letter as a private matter.
The People now is excited to a terrible rate in this locality through fear that the said Belt will be pardoned. The report is also among the people that his brother Jonathan is now standing indicted for murder and is defying the authorities of the law. The probability is that if Login Belt comes back here we will have an Underwood War like that of Carter County, Ky.
William J. Hall
Reference Colonel Ferrel of Elizabethtown or Greene B. Raum.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cave in Rock, Ills.
May 30th, 1885
To His Excellency, Richard J. Oglesby
Dear Sir, We hear you are going to turn Logan Belt out of the Joliet Penitentiary Sentenced in July 1879 by the Gallatin Circuit Court for the murder of our Brother Elisha T. Oldham. We also hear that our names are on the petition recommending his pardon. We write you to inform you that if such is the case, that our names were put there without our knowledge or consent. We are the only whole brothers he has.
Yours Respectfully,
Thomas Oldham
George R. Oldham
J. B. R. Oldham
(No, the above names do not appear on the petition.)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cave in Rock, Hard. Co.
I11. Jan 3, 1883
To His Excellency Shelby M. Cullom
Gov. of I11, Springfield
Sir
Permit me to occupy a few moments of your valuable time in behalf of myself & neighbors. We learn from the news papers that an application will be made to you on the 9th of this month for the pardon of one Logan Belt who was tried in Gallatin Co. on a change of venue from this county for the crime of murder, and sentenced to the Penetentiary for a term of years.
Now this man was the brains of a large family connection in this county who have long been a terror to the peacable law abiding citizens of this community. But a few months ago one of his brothers headed a mob who hung an innocent coulered man (innocent of the crime charged against him, their being no proof but he was a nigger). At the same time he threatened all who should denounce his acts with similar fate.
The Petition for his Pardon was mainly secured signers outside of his family connection & their sympathisers by terror and threats and I am satisfied has but few names on it of the law abiding citizens of our county. If Logan Belt is let free amongst once more the consequences will be disasterous for we have had a Ku Klux association amongst us of which he was the leader. He was condemned by a jury of his countrymen for his crime, he should suffer the penalty. In no other way can so that the laws may be respected and become a terror to the evil doer.
In the name of citizens who respect the law I pray you not to exercise the power of pardon in his case.
I would respectfully reffer you to the Honorable Wm. S. Morris & W. H. Boyer who have a perfect knowledge of the state of our commuity both for the facts stated by me and an endorsement of my credibility & opportunity of observation during an ordinary life time spent in this county.
Respectfully your
obedient servant,
John Mitchell
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next two letters show how one about face was accomplished. Logan Belt had heard of the above letter written by John Mitchell and had the prison chaplain write him a letter. The effort was successful as will be shown in the next letter written to the Governor by John Mitchell.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
ILLINOIS STATE PENITENTIARY
Chaplain Office Joliet, I11. Oct. 28th, 1884
Mr. John Mitchell
Dear Sir,
By request of one whom I have known for three years in prison, & one whom I have learned to esteem, because of his intelligence and manliness of character, I write you.
Logan Belt has been here near five years 6 a half on a sentence of fifteen years, & has the impression that you have written the Gov. a remonstrance against anything being done to shorten his sentence. If this is true, he wonders why it is, as he has esteemed you as one of the best of men, & knows of nothing to mar your personal friendship for him. All admit that the object of imprisonment, is to secure society, 6 if possible reform the offender. I feel assured from the orderly, consistent course of Belt, month after month & year after year, that society has nothing to fear from him, & I honestly think in these long weary years he has subserved all the good that confinement could possibly do for him.
He has never been reported, never punished, and with true manliness of character, has never betrayed a trust. Doubtless you know the size & dependence of his family, 6 the importance of his presence & aid to them - this seems to interest him most, as he is growing old, & his solicitude seems to be all about these loved ones at home. You may ask if he has become religious? - Of this I can only judge by the fruits. If reading a good class of books, if uniformly good conduct if regular attendance on & evident interest in the means of grace, are all in his favor, then we have these tokens for good.
My membership in the church for 52 years, & my constant ministerial work for near 44 years has given me a good opportunity to judge of men, & I think you will never have cause to regret it if you aid in the release of this man, & in restoring him to his family & home. May the good Lord guide you to a right conclusion about it.
If you feel disposed to write Gov. John M. Hamilton in his behalf, you are at liberty to quote anything I say, or send this entire to him.
Praying that in this case the right may prevail. I am respectfully & truly
Yours,
Wm. J. Rutledge
Chaplain J.S.P.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cave in Rock Ill.
Nov. 15 1884
To His Excellency
The Governor of Ill.
Springfield
Dear Sir,
At the request of some of the best citizens of the county, I write to you in behalf of Logan Belt, now a prisoner at Joliett. I desire to withdraw any letter or remonstrance I may have written or signed some two years ago for the following reasons. The disturbing elements to the peace of the county at that time have been removed by death or otherwise. The ends of justice have we think been met. The good conduct of Logan Belt as affirmed by the officers of the prison are strong indications of a better life in the future.
I enclose to your Excellency a letter from the Chaplin of the Prison to me and pray that you will give it due consideration. The large family of Logan Belt are nearly destitute of means of support and greatly need a Father's care.
I join with others in Petitioning for the pardon of Logan Belt believing him to be a fit subject for Executive Clemency.
Respectfully yours,
John Mitchell
I concur with the sentiments in above letter.
Thomas Douglas
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next three letters are interesting in that they are from the two prosecuting attorneys of Logan Belt's trial, and also from some of the Oldhams themselves. They are all recommending clemency. W. S. Morris not only wrote a letter, but was also the first to sign a petition for Logan's pardon.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cave in Rock, Ills.
Jan, 24th 1884
To his Excellency, Richard J. Oglesby, Governor of the state of Illinois.
Some two years ago a petition was filed by Logan Belts friends for his pardon. In Nov. last, many letters were sent to Gov. Hamilton from prominent men asking for his pardon. And now we, the relatives of Elisha T. Oldham, who was killed in an affray with the said Logan Belt, and by the said Logan Belt, ask that your Excellency pardon him and restore him to his rights as a citizen. We believe that his sentence was excessive; that he has been imprisoned long enough; that his large family needs his care and attention, and that he should be pardoned.
We are respectfully,
James R. Oldham
T. M. Oldham
Joel Oldham
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
J. Q. A. Ledbetter
Attorney at Law
To his Excellency Gov. Hamilton,
In reference to the petition for the pardon of Logan Belt now pending before you, I have this to say. I was one of the counsel for the prosecution and tried to make myself familiar with all the facts and circumstances surrounding the case for which he was tried and convicted.
The offense occurred in this county. The case was finally tried in Gallatin County. Just a few months before his trial, events took place that inflamed the people very much, and the excitement ran high about the time of his trial, and I have no doubt now but for the occurrence of those events, his sentence would have been lighter, and to strip the case of every thing except the killin of Oldham and it is the opinion of a great number of good citizens of this county that his punishment is sufficient if ended now. The evidence as to how the difficulty commenced was somewhat conflicting.
The evidence as to whether or not deceased used metallic knuckles before the fatal shot was fired was also conflicting. When the indictment was found, Judge Baker upon a hearing for bail admitted him to bail in the sum of $3000, and there have been offenders tried here in this county since Belts conviction whose offenses I think were much more heinous than Belts and the sentences have been lighter.
The feeling of the masses of the people of this county now are more kindly toward Belt than at the time of the trial, and all those with whom I have talked who view the matter dispassionately make no objection to his pardon.
And in conclusion will say that I can see no good reason why any one should object to the interference of executive clemency in his case.
Very Respectfully,
John Q. A. Ledbetter
States Attorney
for Hardin Co.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Morris & Boyer,
Lawyers,
Golconda, Ill., Nov. 5th, 1884.
To His Excellency
The Govener of Illinois
Dear Sir:
While in Hardin County lately a number of influential citizens requested me to recommend the pardon of Logan Belt who some years ago was sentenced to confinement for a term of 15 years at Joliet for manslaughter for the killing of Dock Oldham. I prosecuted Logan Belt in Gallatin County on change of venue from Hardin Co. and at the time of the trial the excitement of the populace ran high, in consequence of an unfortunate state of affairs then existing in Hardin. On the trial the evidence tended to show that before the shot was fired that resulted in Olhams death, he Oldham had struck Belt with metalic knuckles and the defense insisted that at the instant the fatal shot was fired, Oldham was advancing on Belt with knuckles drawn; upon this point the evidence was quite conflicting and a jury might have found either way. The leading citizens of Hardin Co. now represent that they desire the pardon of Logan Belt, public sentiment having become much modified since the trial and have requested me as the prosecuting officer to endorse their application for his pardon, which I now do in the hope that he may be restored to his family. Beliveing that the demands of justice have been fully met, I concur in the prayer of the petitioners for the pardon of Logan Belt.
Very Respectfully,
W. S. Morris
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
To his Excellency Richard J. Oglesby, Governor of the State of Illinois. We the undersigned citizens of Illinois respectfully request that you pardon Logan Belt, who is now confined in the Joliet State Prison for the reason that he has been there long enough.
W. S. Morris, Sen. 49 Dist.
Simon S. Barger, Rep. 49th Dist.
John Yost, Rep. 49th Dist.
W. V. Choisser, Rep. 49th Dist.
Wm. N. Warford, M. D.
J. A. Vinyard, E. Circuit Clerk, H. C.
John Shell, Merchant, H.C.
M. O. B. Parsons, Co. Supt., Saline Co., Ill.
James H. Kirkham, Merchant, Elizabethtown, Ill.
Samuel D. Miller, Merchant, Elizabethtown, Ill.
Gee. Morris
William H. Green
William J. Alien
E. Rinehart
T. Merritt
Z. E. Browning, Rep. 51 Dist.
R.A.O. Wilbanks, Clerk, House of Representatives
D. W. Andrews, Member State Com. Equalization
Earl Sherwood, Elizabethtown
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It seems that Earl Sherwood was a busy man. The following letter shows that he persuaded two other protesters to change their minds. Other than James A. Ledbetter and Oldham's own brothers, every protestor is now asking for clemency for Logan. Hardin County has done a complete "about face" since the trial.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cave in Rock, Ills.
Jan. 6th, 1885
Hon. W. S. Morris
Springfield, Ills.
Dear friend,
I will not be able to go to Springfield at present, and Capt. Belt is sick. He requests that you see the Govenor and try for Logan's pardon. I would suggest that yourself & Messrs. Choisser, Barger & Yost visit the Govnor in a body. Mr. Choisser & Barger told the Capt. that they would do so. I have just seen Wm. J. Hall. He will withdraw his protest at once, also says that he will see Zed Jenkins who will withdraw his. Any thing that you will do in the premise will be rewarded satisfactorily.
Please write me the conditions of the case.
I am your friend,
Earl Sherwood
for H. J. Belt
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Logan was finally released in 1885, but was not pardoned until later. In a final attempt for a pardon, Logan wrote a personal appeal to the Governor.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Shawneetown, Illinois
Aug. 26th, 1885
To his Excellency
Richard J. Oglesby
Govenor of Illinois
Enclosed you will find a copy of a portion of the record in the case of the People vs. Logan Belt, showing that I was convicted for manslaughter in 1879, which you will find appears in the record filed in your Office.
You will find enclosed a letter from the warden to me, which tends to show that the witnesses declared the conviction to be for murder. You will also find that my petition, signed by hundreds of good citizens; and many personal letters all ask for my unconditional pardon. I understand that manslaughter is not classed by statute to be an infamous crime, but as the prison records appear to differ from the true record, I would respectfully ask that my release be made in accordance with my prayer for an unconditional pardon, restoring me to all my rights if I have lost any. My friends ask it; I ask it; my children ask it; and in so doing, I realize that I am asking no more than any gentleman should ask; and in granting it, you will be doing no more than humanity to man suggests; no more than you have the authority to do; and no more than the Golden rule teaches us to do. When you gave my Atty. Earl Sherwood the choice between the uncertainty of a pardon before or after the 22nd of July; and fixing the day for certain on the 22nd of July; it certainly implied that you were willing to grant the pardon as per request. And if you are inclined still to make it so, please grant me a pardon dating from the 22nd of July. If that be impossible, I respectfully ask that my disabilities be removed by your Excellency, that it may forever bar the tongues of envy, malice and slander.
I am respectfully,
Logan Belt
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Executive Office,
Springfield, Illinois.
Major McLaughry,
What recommendations have you to make for Logan Belt, sentenced from Gallatin Co. for restoration of citizenship.
Respectfully
H. J. Caldwell
Dear Sir:
I would respectfully recorrrmend that Logan Belt be restored to citizenship.
Your obedient servant Sept. 3, 1885
R. W. McClaughry
Warden
(PAGE 134 IS COPY OF LOGANS LETTER)
Sample of Logan's own handwriting