The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-02-01

a3he door, stood but shot distance from him. with
she gun cooked in my hand but had not nerve enough
70 shoot made my next effort when he was engaged |
with olhen in working the reads near SMIrns tavern
When hnst came in sight of them they were at work
on the east side ofhe house. Elias stood with his back
towards me- and could easily have slain him, but a
gain my strength failed me, and again the opportunity
pissed The company of workers then moved west OF
shD house and again sOughtor chance ofdestryying
him. But while ] was lingering around in the woods
in order that mghtseize upon favorable opportunity
was accidentally discovered by one of the company
when again gave it up, turned and went home. This
yas, think on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday
night, worked myself up to the full determination to
kill him, and that too on the succeeding day. will
here again state that was not hard drnker-only
occasionally, not generally-at least not until my un-
aforunste marriage trouble and difficulty upon
ms. Then did drink, and deeply.
On Sunday morning, full Of the murderous design
had entertained, took from my trunk pint flask of
liquor and put it in my pocket picked up my gun and
started. ItOok southerly direction from the house
a1d passed by my father who was standing in the field
;Hc asked me where was going, and answered was
going to shoot an owl / passed on and wren out Of
sight drank some my liquor and turned into the
woods near to Mr. KARNs and fred at some crows
hm wentswest Of Elias house. thinking that should
meet him. Failing in this, went on into the woods,
near the turnpike intending there to secrete myself and
waylay him. should he to the pike But he did not
come then went over to the tavern, and got my flask
refled which had by this time emptied, and then
turned to near the same the place where hadbe-
fore lain in wait for him. remained there for some
time, but he still not coming started towards my broth
ers house, which, when came in sight Of there was
drove ofcattle passing and with them was my brother
He however soon left them, and then came out and
went TO his house. Pretty soon he requested to go
and shoot him mess of squirrels which refused 10
do He then told me that there were some persons
playing cards in the woods near the tavern and asked
me to gowith him to the place But his wife, who
wished to go to meeting desired him to remain at home
and watch the garden 10 prevent the chickens from
scratching up the seeds. Itwas then arranged that
should go with her nearly to fathers house. and then
cut across and meethm at Mr.. Howards gate. ac
ccnngy went with her until to my fathers when
stopped. She asked me why would not go to the
house Itoldher did not wish to, but would remain
In the orchard until it was oolae 60 meeting for
II l went 10 the house. William, a-younger brother
might want my boots to go connecting too. As soon as
she leA turned and started for the spot where my bro
ther and had appointed to meet had been previous
y arranged that whoever arrived there first should hal
sco It happened that was the first on the ground
nd Instead of calling as agreed upon, went some dis
lance from the gate and placed myself in position to
fire athim ashecame Hesoon after arrived at the gate
and called answered, and he started to come to me.
sprang behind tree rapidly drank some more liquor
fully determined to shoot him as he approached, but "a
gain my strength failed, and he came up. y then took
out my bottle and gave him what remained in it. We
then started for the card players-he going before. BY
this time the repeated draughs Of liquor that hadswal
lowed befan to exercise their endish influences and
- passed along Iresolutely determined to shoot him
ere we reached the place OF rendezvous. We walked
on approached the spot where the card playing
going on he wanted 10 TAX: thegun G. fire il as siga
of fheiraproach; but knew Il the deed must now!te
DONE or should fail again, and perhaps forever. SO
nerving myself tothe utermost raised the gun to my
waist flor could getitno higher,) andfred. He was
aheA not more than ten feet from me. He fell went
to him. He screamed aloud. jumped upon him and
choked him until thought his breath nearly or quite
men coming running then rose from the body of my
brother struck him over the face and head two or three
hines with the breach ofthe gun, and fled
went home-secreted the gun in the bam-returned
70 the house and changed my dressthen went back to
the stable and sadded horse, intending to take another
routeand ride aroundto the fatal spot where had shot
my brother thinking thereby to prevent suspicion at
tachhg to myself amounted my horse and rode a
short distance on the east end Of the road-then turned
and rode short distance west and again turned about
rode home and put the horse in the stable then went
house. where metmy sisters just returned from church
They had heard the news We started together anG
went to Shoff's tavern where Elias had been carried
was then arrested and committed to prison in which
now am, on the 29th day Of May, 1912 Ihadmy tria
at the October term of the supreme court held in th
place ard convicted OF murder in the first degree Al
ter sentence was pronounced upon me- (Which belev
to be just) began to prepare to meet my God, ant
possible, obtain pardon through the propiay blood
my redeemer, for my most awful crimes
MY days are numbered-I had but a short time +
prepare for eternity not only under sentence
death by the law of my country, but under one ofe
naldeathby the law of my God. therefore called il
the assistance the Clergy, and have been visited by 9th
er pious persons who have rendered all the aid
their power to whom now offer ne earnest thanks
grateful heart Their reward will be meted out
them in another world.
Ibeleive Ihave found pardon for which have mo-
II