Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1845-09-25
ii A W k-E Y. r.
Surlimgtom:
Thursday. September. rs, 1913.
The Hodges.

Inc HI OOSCs.
We have been in receip, of the fol
lowing for two or three weeks. Ii
was handed US for publication by
Sheriff Mckinney, bu, we have delay.
ed it with the hope that we could find
room al the same time for statement
made by the Rev. ] G. WHITE, who
was with the Hodges great par, of the
time while they were under sentence
OF death. The statement Of Mr. White
Is SO long, occupying upwards of sew
enteen pages of foolscap, we find il
impossible to give it an insertion and
do justice to our readers. Besides
that, we do not think it necessary, as it
simply corroborates what is said by
Judge Mason, on the principal points
and is made up of conversations which
cannot be interesting to the general
reader. We however think the follow
ing should be published in Justice to
Judge Mason, as it entirely cxcupa,es
him from blame, and may be satisfacto.
ry to many who have been anxious to
hear something from him on the sub
ject.
understanding tina, mistakes and
misrepresentation in relation to the
case OF the two lodges have become
current, and have. To a considerable ex-
tent, obtained credence, have been
induced to make the following state.
ment. as well in self justification as for
the satisfaction of the public IN gene
raj
Regarding my official duties in rela-
u0n to them, As having terminated
when sentence of D. uh had been pro
nounced. aud feeling the same inescs.
a others IN obtaining secoritv glinst
like euuages IN future believing also,
llat these mlsgudcd vouug men had
many other associates ~ crime and
that theIr death alone would aol secure
Us The desired safety # life and proper
N-l fet very soiicltpus To obtain from
them full exposition of the workings
OF that system nfrnlquiiy. the effects of
which were sufficiently felt and feared.
but of the secret operations of which
we were too ignorant To be able To ap-
ply any effec,ua remedy.
With this object. visited them in
prison two days previous to their exc
culion. made them no "promises of
pardon if they would confess" but
expressly informed them that had
officially, no farther control over their
fate | then endeavored To obtain from
them a full statement as to who were
their accomplices and abe,ors. not only
in this murder. but in the other recent
outrages with which had reason to
believe them To have been connected.
My chief regret in relation 10 the whole
matter l.. that was unsuccessful
Considering William 1T though older
III wears be younger and less har-
dened IN crime, nv efforts were first
and principally directed towards him.
| promised him that If he would make a
full statement of all he knew IN relation
to the subjecs Of nv enquiry, such as
would satisfy m Of its truth, | would
60 at once 10 the proper authority and
endeavor to obtain postponement of
his execution for three or four weeks,
to give time to test the truth Of his
slaemenls-,hat if at the end of that
period we should become satisfied of his
truth aud candor and that his nforma
ton could be rendered available in
bringing the other offenders TO Justice,
| would do all in my power TO have his
punishment commuted to Imprisonment
in the peni,enliary;an finally that if after
the lapse of year or two. we should
succeed through his insrumen,ality, in
Kidding the country OF the band of mis-
crean,s with which it was now infested,
he might reasonably expect. full and
complete pardon. then stated to him
certain facts which had come to light
since the trial,as we'll as material dis
crepancy between his present statements
and that Of his brother which will be
hereafter more fully described all which
left no possible doubt as 10 his guilt. |
SVOhc W 1llD kluuly IuE III Ills tHell dW-
full situation,I could harbor no feeling to.
wards him but that Of pity. told him
| regarded crime as very frequently the
offspring of misfortune. or the result, Of
a train of circumstances often difficult
10 be withstood from his appear
ance ] would no, suppose him capable
of engaging in a career Of crime from
feeling of wanton wickedness tina, he
must have been urged on by his neces-
stiles. or by the persuasions of others,
from one step to another. to the final
commission of the act for which he was
then doomed To suffer; and tha, in all
,hls had reason 10 believe he had rath-
er been acting a the instrument Of
others than the originator Of anv crimi-
nal purpose OF his own. He burst into
tears and told me tbat such was the
truth H then promised to tell me
all, but first stipulated that Amos
Hodges wife should be removed from
Nanvoo, as he said they wonld xiii her
he m0menl they knew that he had
made a confession. promised to
keep the matter secre. until she could