Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-09-01

Jail Of Ohio County, Va. August 80. leiS.
Being DESTROYS tina; the facts in relation to
the lorsed"Coniession" ralmed upon the pub
+ lie by certain parties in the City Of Wheeling.
should be correctly understood. wish to
suite, that about the 18th anl 18Th OF August
inst, a certain David Macane and Allied
/ IIughes-came to the jul OF Ohio County Va,
where | was lying under sentence oideath,
aud after expressing great interest in my fate,
I began TO ask me sundry questions, N what
seemed to me, manner usual with the visit.
ors Of prisoners in my situation, viz: as to
where was born, my asc, profession in life,
name OF my wife &c, all which questions |
answered, without any suspicion OF the base
object Of the parties in asking them, until !
observed, that one OF them was writing some
thing on paper on his knee, but 50 as topre
ven; melt possible, from being aware OF what
was going on. One of them was employed in
asking questions mainly, aud the other in Ia
kingnotes. A. soon as became aware Of their
/ purpose Immediately demonstrated against
any such proceeding, declared my utter an
willingness to have any Confession" or his
tory ofmy past lie laid before the public, told
them, that for the sake Of my children and
| friends, wished to pass into oblivion, SO far
as the public was concerned, and appealed to
| them as my friends, and as a man on the verge
Of the grave, to desist from any such purpose.
After my thus demonstrating and appealing to
the feeling which supposed to exist in the
breasts of my fellow men. the said David
Maclane solemnly promised me, that he would
proceed no further with the undertaking and
that might rest assured the whole thing
should then be dropped-wilh which prom
Use, made as it was By man who had al
ways proiessed 10 be my friend, was then
satisfied.
The partiesa above named were accompanied
on or about the l9lh, BY certain James \.
NJ Lane, who has also heretofore been an ac-
quaintance and professed friend of mine, be
commenced conversation apparently in the
most friendly way with me, proposing to
: bring me books &c. to heI me pass the dull
hours OF my confinement. While thus engaged
discovered that he was taking "a sketch Of
me, al which was very indignant, and re-
monstrated most positively, against the whole
procedure. He seemed quite moved by my
appeal too, and assured me that as he found
was opposed to it, he would have nothing
; more TO do with it, with which promise, as
that of gentleman ] was then satisfied
have now reason to believe, that the above
named parties. have in violation OF their SOL
> emn promises made to fellow man. for
: whom they had always protested friendly feel
ings and in the awful situation in which
then and now stand, proceeded 10 prepare for
sale aud distribution, after my execution. or
perhaps, to the crowd that will be collected
in The morning of that, to me, eventiu day,
fictitious Confession" of my past life and
deeds. founded upon the few facts they elicit
ed in that stolen manner and filled up by the
imsginationof one of the parties above named;
while ii is to be embellshed with what pur-
ports to be a likeness OF my person, obtained
in the same iurtive manner, and in violation
of the most solemn promises. Against the
whole OF this forged confession, ! now desire
most solemny to protest, and most humbly
request of the pubicat large, that no one will
lend their ala or counteuance to so base pro-
cedure. by purchasing a copy OF it. 1t is no
doubt false in every respect, except as to the
place of my birth and few other facts, GER
tanly uuimporiant to this community, and
as my desire is, to pass out OF time i'll
peace with the whole world not even ex-
cepdng these my pretended friends and to
be folgotten-not only for my own sake but
fer the sake OF The helpless orphans leave
: behind me. | hope my appeal to the best
feelings OF my fellow creatures in general will
not be made in vain.
Ii is also my desire now to state, that
have never in my sane moments accused my
late wife, OF iniidrlity to me, and never had
any reason to do 50. Her whole life was ex-
emplaryin every respect; aud il is my wish to
shield her memory from every injurious i'm
: putaton.
MICHAEL WHELAN.
: Sworn to and subscribed ia the Jail of Ohio
County, Va , before me- an alderman of the
city Of Wheeling, this Goth day OF August
T l849, in the presence Of Henry Moore, Micha,
: el Reilly and Catherine Warden.
GEO. DULTY, Alderman.