Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-11-08
CONFESSION As TO THE MURDERER
OF MORGAN

ftSb " nuisto SUuFnHfsI
The following is the confession" OF
the person now 10 our jail for the muir
der of Morgan. 1t is proper that the
public should be informed Of all the diff.
ferent stories in circulation, aud all the
facts-which is our apology for pub
fishing this document. The accoun,
which Hill gives Of himself is contradic.
tory; and the details OF the murder are
Inconsistent with the appearance OF che
body found at The mouth Of Oak Orch
ard Creek. Hill has said, in conyersa
ton with gentlemen Sn the subject, that
he cut Morgan's throat, aud that the DO
dy was severed quite IN two before il
was thrown into the Niagara-that he
was assisted by three other persons, one
oil whom, Alonzo Keith. was caught ia
the ropes fastened to the body, and
drawn into the river and drowned, he
also states that Moran bad no coal on
when killed. These are parts Of his sio.
ny. la his confession ha carefully a.
voids all mention of names and gives no
particulars. He has, IN conversation,
gwen one or two names of persons con
eerned IN the first stages Of the tfansac.
ton. On the whole, no doubt remains
upon our minds of his being an impos.
ter; but we can devise no satisfactory
! ason for his strange conduct. Tie
whole is a mystery hat ifno only can
unravel. It's barely possible, shs. he
thinks the reward Of $4,000 within his
reach, and that a pardon awaits him,
underline governors proclamation He
will be removed, We understand, to Nj.
agsra county, to be disposed VI as cir.
cumstances shall demand.
10 The Citizens Of Erie C~ouniy.-r,
Il. IL. Hill, of said county, did, on Tues
day last, OF my own free and voluntary
will, come forward and confess the crime
OF numbering a man that supposed by
Information was William Morgan. On
examination, plead guilty. was ex
amined before esq. Case and aivins,
and by them taken to this place on Mon
day following, aud "A cross examination
took place, and | was committed 10 the
goal, OF said county for further exam.
nation. Several gentlemen have called
and Questioned me, and il was not my
wish or Intention to crimiuate any nae
but myself. For that reason I have an
swersd The question, some correctly and
some | have net You dispute the truth
of nay assertions in respect to the her
rid deed ! bare committed. wish to
be punished by the laws Of God and my
country which have broken and atone
for the crime | have done. am not a
lone ia the horrid transaction. The
stings OF a guilty conscience, q hand
stained with the innocent blood OF one
that saw only once, has stared me ia
the face continually. My confsderatss
and | did take the most solemn oaths
that we should not betray each other,
and in cas-. that one Of US should be ar
rested, suffer the penalty Of the law in
silence. such lie nv situation. aud for
PHYS sake spare nae the thoughts Of
breaking the oa.hs at present wish
not TO De examined any more, until il
Is at a higher court, whore | shall plead
guilty, and shall expect to die the igno
minious death OF the gallows for my
bloods deeds, and NAV the Lord have
mercy on my soul. Such will DO my
dying sords-fare well.--The pros
pect tina. is before ma is dark and Cleo
my, when | consider hew short is the
time and | be summoned TO the tribunal
OF a jus. and an angry God. Pity the
unhappy and miserable sinner, n. Fl.
Hill, who bsgs your forgiveness in the
arms os death.-Tske warning in me,
aud shun the paths Of vice and sorrow,
aud remember the Creator in the days
of thy youth. I should suppose that
who came as ! have done, confessed
the crime Of murder, would need no
nor evidence than bis own confession.
which ] have broken. When l left
York, Livingstos county | MAS &C
companied all the 6rst travelling through
a country unknown to me, and in the
night. and not making any inquiries,
stopping once in a while, and not leav
ing the carriags-during The night tax
ing in some times a person whom ]
knew not, and others getting out, |
could not give a correct account Of the
Country. Ia my cross examinations, |
have sndeavoured not 10 give correct
answers. SO as not to betray others who
were my associates. When | have had
my trial, | will then declare, as should
think il my duty. But at the present. l
wish to remain as | am. The gentis-