HENRY FERRON PAROLED

Published in The Lowell Sun, June 10th, 1919, pg. 2

Lowell Man Who Figured As Principal in Murder, Allowed His Freedom

Henri Ferron, of this city, who since 1910 has been condemned to the insane department of the state farm at Bridgewater for the murder of Flora Lariviere, which occurred in Hareford place, off marshall street on the evening of Jan. 26, 1910, was released yesterday afternoon after the charge of murder against him was placed on file by Justice Hugo A. Dubuque at the criminal session of the superior court in East Cambridge. Ferron spent last night in this city and this evening will leave for Massey Station, Ontario, Canada where he will live with his uncle and aunt.

Although very thin in appearance, Ferron is enjoying the best of health and says the treatment he received at the institution was most satisfactory. "I have lost at least 15 oounds during my incareration." he said, "but that was due to confinement for several years."

The mutilated body of Flora Lariviere, a married woman, was found on a mattress in the kitchen of her home at 3 Hareford place, off Marshall street on the morning of Jan. 26, 1910. A search was immediately started for Henri Ferron, who was known to have lived there, and had disappeared. A few weeks later word was recieved in this city that Ferron had been captured at St. Sebastion, Que., and Lowell officers went to Canada and returned with the prisioner. He did not fight extradition.

Ferron was kept under observation for a few days and finally was declared insane by two physicians and sent to the insane department of the state farm at Bridgewater. During his long stay at the farm Ferron was a model prisioner and won the confidence of the attendants and officials to such an extent that after five years he was given considerable freedom. He conducted a clothes cleaning and pressing deaprtment and in this manner was able to save enough money to care for his aged mother, up to the time of her death, which occured in this city, April, 15, 1917. During his spare time Ferron also learned the carving business.

About a year ago through the recommendations of his attendants Ferron was placed on parole and given more freedom than ever. He was transferred from the insane department to the farm and assisted in looking after the livestock. Through the efforts of Lawyer A. O. Hamel and Joseph Albert of this city, who became interested in the prisioner, a petition for his release was filed with the proper authorities and several hearings were held. Yesterday afternoon Ferron was taken to East Cambridge and appeared before Judge Dubuque at the criminal session of the superior court. By the terms of his parole Ferron is to go to Canada and live on a farm with relatives, an uncle and aunt. Dr. Frank H. Carlisle, medical director of the hospital, gave a written statement to the effect that Ferron had shown no traces of insanity and perfectly safe to be at large. Ferron is 32 years old.

This explains why I couldn't find him the 1920 census. He does, however, appear in the 1910 census at Bridgewater state hospital. Note that Joseph Albert had a hand in getting him released. Interesting...