19 August 1891
New York, Aug. 18.
The movement looking to the securing of a pardon for Ameer Ben Ali, better known as "Frenchy", who was recently convicted of the murder of a lewd woman in the slums, and sentenced to imprisonment for life, has gained strength since the latest ripper's crime in London which demonstrated that "Frenchy" is not, as had been claimed by the police, the original "Jack the Ripper." "Frenchy" is now employed in the brush making department of the Auburn penitentiary. He has found it pretty hard to learn the trade, but is very attentive to his work. The prison officials have no trouble with him, and warden Durston says that he is as honest as a kitten. The keepers who are brought into contact with him every day say that they believe him entirely innocent of the crime for which he has been convicted.