Elmer L: Price Tries To Get A Pardon or Parole From Governor's of New Mexico

Elmer Price was born Dec 1879 in Providence, Ky to Thomas L Price and Nancy Ann Williams they were married 11 Dec 1862.

Thomas L Price died on 15 Feb 1882 in Kentucky and Nancy re-married to a Woodson Thomas Ramsey in about 1870.

She first had 8 children with Thomas L. Price and then an additional 3 children with her 2nd husband.

Nancy Ann Willisms, photo on back has Mrs. Ramsey

Elmer Price was single and removed to Roswell, New Mexico where he worked for the Harvey News Company out of Kansas City as a News Agent. He regularly took the train from Roswell to Texas.

A Mr. Frank B Curtis worked for the Railroad as a conductor.

On the 30 March 1906 a crime story unrevealed and sides were clearly taken in the matter. Both men were good citizens well liked and had good reputations with in their social groups. Frank B Curtis was married to Emma Sayre on 28 Dec 1887 in Little Hocking, Oh where he was born on 26 Dec 1858. They had no children. Elmer Price was a very well respected gentleman of his social circles which were wide and far from his hometown in Kentucky to Kansas City and in Roswell. He was 26 years old and his net worth was $100,000 his family were wealthy. Frank B Curtis came from a large family with several brothers and sisters.

Here's the story in their words taken from I witness testimony and Elmer Price's sworn statement.

The Grand Jury and Price's trail all took place within 2 weeks of Curtis being killed.

Gov. Herbert J Hagerman

Gov. Herbert J Hagerman was the 17th Governor at the time being in office from 10 Jan 1906 - 3 May 1907 New Mexico Territory. He had an important political happenings at the time, the people of New Mexico and Arizona were voting on the issue of joint statehood with New Mexico in favor and Arizona against.

Here's is J. B. Sneed's Oral Statement 

Elmer L Price Prison Record

Elmer L Price New Mexico Prison Mugshot 1906

Between 1906 and 1914 Elmer L Price and his Attorney's fought for him to be pardoned or paroled. I found over 200 documents.
They had gotten hundreds of thousands of signatures for his release from Cowboys, Lawyers, Sheriffs, Bankers and more.

During this time It seem to go on deaf ears in the Governor's Office. 

On 15 Nov 1906 an earthquake rock the state with a 7.0 that was felt all thorough New Mexico and parts of Texas and Arizona. 

Gov. George Curry

New Mexico received another Governor of the Territory George Curry who had been in the House of Representatives. He would serve from 1907-1 Mar 1910, at which time New Mexico was drafting their Constitution and preparing for Statehood. 

I honestly wonder if any of the Governor's even looked at the paperwork that was sent to them. I found no response from anyone from that office for the entire time Price was in prison.

                            He seemed to be a model employee.

Here's some more signatures from Kentucky.

Many people from all over signed many petitions in this case.

Even members from the Legislature signed 

Someone from the prosecution's office even declared Clemency to the Governor.

1912 was a hard year to get anything into the Governor's office New Mexico became the 47th State. New and first Governor of the State of New Mexico was William L McDonald in office from 6 Jan 1912-1 Jan 1917.

Gov William McDonald

Elmer L Price received bad news, his brother and commodore to his fight to be released died. Charles S Price 1868-1912

That must of broke his heart and his spirit.

Below are some letters Charles wrote to Elmer

Here's a letter to Elmer's Lawyer from his mother.

Heartbreaking letter

They went all the way to the Supreme Court to no avail. 

Below are some earlier account of what happened and how it was reported in the newspapers.

During most of the years Elmer L Price was in Prison he was working as a barber for the prison and off the grounds many times.

Elmer's lawyer received an interesting letter that seemed to stir up some trouble with the prison warden.

I did not find any records for him in the New Mexico Prison, interesting.

The Warden sent this

Warden sent this

Then I found out that Elmer had contracted tuberculosis, which was very sad to find out but not surprising because I researched 3 other prisoners from that same prison and on their death certificates they had all died from tuberculosis.

 I do not have an ending to this story, according to the prison records Elmer L Price escaped on 13 Nov 1914. I don't believe it. If he escaped he would of went back to Kentucky even though his mother had died 4 Apr 1914 he may not of known that. I can not find any census or death information on him. I believe he died of either tuberculosis or they killed him. That's what my gut is telling me and it's usually right.

A letter is received at the prison from Elmer's brother Edd, look at the date on envelope.

He would of never read this letter.

Since he escaped before it arrived. 

I made a memorial on Findagrave for him since we may never find out the truth of what happened to him.

MEMORIAL ID 187445687

I attached his family to him

I also made him a tree on Ancestry

This story was a challenge because of the overwhelming amount of documents. I wanted to post all of them and had a hard time choosing. Until next time keep searching for those treasures you never know where they are hiding.