George Kilbon Nash (August 14, 1842 – October 28, 1904) was an American attorney and Republican politician from Ohio. He served as the 41st governor of Ohio.
The following story is written in the book by Al Jennings, Through the Shadows With O. Henry.
A young inmate, Dick Price, was sentenced for life for repeated safe-cracking, in which he was a good specialist. Once there was a necessity to open a safe of a company, when keys were lost. George Nash promised to pardon Price, if he did it. Price cracked the safe, but Nash didn't pardon him, failing to fulfil his promise. Soon Price died in prison. His story was used by O. Henry in his story "A Retrieved Reformation".
According to other sources,[7] the name of the safe-cracker was Jimmy Connors.
Family
George K. Nash was the son of Asa Nash and Electa Branch Nash. They were farmers in Medina County, originally from Massachusetts. There were three sons and two daughters in the family.[2] Nash married Mrs. William K. Deshler,[2] (Adaline Ayres),[8] April, 1882. She died October 17, 1886. They had one daughter, named Mary Nash, who died February 12, 1897. Both were interred in Green Lawn Cemetery, and Nash visited their graves and left flowers before each of his inaugurations.[2] Governor Nash was also buried at Green Lawn.[8]