The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-06-30
rFrom the Peekskill Republican !


CONFESSION OF GEORGE DKNNY, CONVICTED OF
THE MURDER OF ABRAHAM WANZER.-"l am
about 10 years OF age; was born 10 Putnam coun-
W. My mother died when was an infant, as am
informed, Insane. MY father abandoned his wife
and children short time before my birth, unpro-
vlded tor and unprotected. When arrived ~ the
age OF eight years, he returned and took with him
my sister and myself to the State OF Michigan,
where we remained about one year, during which
Time he was convicted and sentenced to prison foi
two years, for roDbing a store. lie made his es'-
cape by digging under the walls, and returned 10
his suffering children.
ed. My sister, about fourteen, and myself, abou,
eight years OF age, without friends or necessary
means, alter many hardshps returned to my grand
fathers IN tn 3 county. That sister from my III
fancy up to this moment has been my warnest, and
can almost say, my only friend. She has often
gwen me good aoVce, and II Is my earnest ptdyel
mat she may yet be rewarded. mere would say
parents, and To all who have the charge OF chii
dren, cultivate Ia them habits vi Industry and no
nesty, as have every reason to believe II my min'
had been turned into the proper channel during III.
| Infancy, should not be where am
Two or three years alter our return from Michi
gan, any tarher visited us and reniained about ON
| mon n. Ii MUD seemed u have Undergone d s.
| change since we had last seen hun, he pubshe
| pamphlet lou ded on the book OF Revelations, !
| winch he represented himself Jesus Chilst.
recolitct Of bis Saying To grandfather one day, tha
BuifiiO was The PROMISED land tnat he should as
seiioie all The peopie there, ana among them III
Queen OF Eng land. pped up and told hum las
VAS damned tool. He became very much s.t
aged ,anG pursued me out OF the meadow, but e
out ut his reach The ilrst enquiry lie made ot
VAS, George, are you I'D enough to handle IN
sword" He eit, and ne have not heard ifom Inn
since.
During he time | lived with my grandfather
had an opportunity 10 attend school, but having the
privilege OF dong as pleased, seldom attended
my attendance at church came under the abov.
rule. My grandmother INDUCED me in every evi
habit, aud my education IN consequence is very
| limited. can make out to read by spelling som,
| III the words, but cannot write. When l pltert q
| money from my grandfather, which was not unu-
sual, was to fad protection by appealing ts
| the grandmother.
With the bows of the neghborhood | bore thu
appellatlon of the cunning little thief" and many
| times have been reproacbed and called fool by
some OF my relatives for acknowledging my theis
which was usually The case 1t was accused. WIN
the exception Of some r'hes, and the money took
| from grandfather and Mr. Wanzer's key, the frs
| | ever stole was 81 IS, from Andrew Mier's
| trunk which opened with MIR. WanZ.r's key. }
went on from one petty met to ano,her,unti was
compelled to leave my grandfaher's for fear CT an
arrest, when found my wayto Shenandoah IN the
Town OF Fishkl
| remained there for the better part OF year,
sleeping in the barns, woods, and coal cabins oi
the neishborhooc uttil l was arrested, in connec
ton with Richard Latorce, for stealing honey anc
confined in Poughkeepsie gaol In justice TO Rich
ard Laforce will take the first opportunity TO state
nAf %
was not concerned with me in taking the honey
After my discharge from Poughkeepsle gaol re-
turned TO Shenandoah.
On Monday morning, the ninth day of October,
lS43, ] took Mr. Knapp's CUR, dog, and ammuniton,
with five or six balls from the same mould pro-
duced on my trial, which had before secure
and went into the woods with the intention Of
shooting partrdges When lett Mr.. Knapp's did
not think OF Mr. Wanzrr, nor had any intention
Of going there. / stroled through the woods on
that day until 1 reached the Cold Spring Turn.
pike. passing Henry Concklin's on my way down,
but they did not observe me. | shot at the stump
showed Esq. Davenport, with both barrels OF my
gun on Monday followed the turnpike until
reached Thos Jaycox's. | went to Benjamin Fore
mans barn, little after dark, and slept there I'LL,
as should Judge, about eleven O'Clock at night -
There was something laying heavily on my mind.
| wanted to do something, ] could not tell what.
| almost unconscionsly left the barn. took the road
leading to Isaac Jaycoxs, and thence the road
lead ing to MIR. Wanzer's. ! went to his door and
made noise, took hold Of the string and raised
the latch. Mrs. Wanzer asked who was there7
answered friend. She enquIred what friend
wanted that time of night ! answered TO stay all
night.
under peach tree about two rods distant. stood
there about five minutes with my gun cooked and
pointed towards the door intending to shoot HIM il
he opened it. He did not make his appearance and
retired To his barn and slept there TIL sunrise ihe
next morning, when went into the bushes and con-
tinued firing my gun at intervals IN the neighbor.
hood of his house all the day on Tuesday once
shot at Mr. Wanzer's fowls. He was at work in
his garden and buckwheat field the most Of the
day.
AT one time | lay within thirty yards of him, my
gun pointed towards him, and said to yseli show
/ will pop him over tonight" The family all went
away at one time, and ! took circultous route,
thinking to 60 in the house, but on reflection, tn,
thought occurred 10 me- that they might return and
find inc there. As soon II was dark | went t.
his barn and the nee to his dirt cellar. The little
dog went away while at the barn, and whstled low
for him two or three times. | pounded on the dirt
cellar and then stood with my gun ready, thinking
he would come out.
He did not come around the corner of the house,
but went in again Immediately. | then went in
tha oh uhs al 10 h. NJ h>fo